Inexpensive MM Cartridge

Stylus shape is the important criteria for good/better/best groove contact/fidelity, good info here

https://sound-smith.com/articles/stylus-shape-information

Advanced shape: ML Microline; LC Line Contact; Shibata; SAS all in that advanced category. They cost more, but last longer, so calculate the cost per hour for a sense of cost over time.

A bit over budget at $329. very good channel separation and channel balance, both help with better imaging,

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/type/moving-magnet/vm740ml

in budget, $249. (same specs, except 740’s innards better?)

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/type/moving-magnet/vm540ml

or: Less costly now, $200.perhaps sell the TT soon, move up, or, this for MM, try Moving Coil sooner

Audio-Technica makes this cartridge body, and it offers 6 interchangeable/replaceable/upgradeable stylus,

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/line-series/at-vm95-series

It’s Shibata version is only $200.

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at-vm95sh

However: the 95 line channel separation and channel balance are not great, I bet it sounds great, but the 540 and 740 will definitely produce a tighter center balance, refining locations, and the wider channel separation improves imaging as well
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consider signal strength, higher lets you keep your preamp/amp volume controls lower, less power needed, less noisy perhaps, nearly always a good thing.

consider tracking force, around 2.0 g my preference, some cartridges can track lower 1.0; 1.25; 1.50 etc, but I wouldn't make that a primary choice, just be aware. 

I don't think you need a $300 cartridge for one of the cheapest old Pioneer belt drive turntable. For $300 you could actually buy a whole new direct drive turntable with better tonearm. 

If you need just a cartridge for that old Pioneer look for Audio-Technica MM cartridges under $150  

@chakster I made a small typo - I meant a Pioneer PL-512. Nothing special, but still rated as a very good TT. I get the sense that it is on par with modern entry level TT’s. Does anyone think differently? I think replacing the TT and cartridge would cost between $300-$600, most likely used. Worth considering???

@yogiboy and @roberjerman, I had a Grado Black mounted on it and was not too impressed. I noted a hollow sound with poor resolution. No hum at all though. Is there notable improvement up the line?

@petg60 how about a Goldring 1042? Elliot, I will check out the AT offerings.

Other recommendations or votes? Thanks, Peter

@peter_s 

@petg60 how about a Goldring 1042?

Just bought a Goldring 1042 as a backup to my Soundsmith Zephyr. I’m very impressed. Highly recommended. Beats my old Grado Red with 8mz stylus by a long mile.

@bkeske  A source of concern with the Goldring is the following:

1) The Cartridge is very sensitive to capacitive loading. Some experimentation with it will be necessary to get the best match to your system. I ended up with 51 kOhm resistive Load and 120 pf capacitive load (plus the Tonearm cabling - probably another 50 pf or so).

2) The cartridge is a little more than usual sensitive to VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle) adjustments (for a Moving Magnet Cartridge), so experimentation is on order.

For this setup, there is not adjustability to cabling or capacitance in the phono preamp, and the tonearm has no VTA adjustment.  Perhaps there is a cartridge that is less sensitive to these non-adjustable features?