the AT VM540ML is really good, and within your budget...
Very musical sounding cart as is the MP-200 mentioned previously.
Very musical sounding cart as is the MP-200 mentioned previously.
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- 46 posts total
Stereo Imaging: go for wide channel separation, combined with tight channel balance. Check those specs for any cartridge you consider, then read reviews. I’m a fan of Audio Technica Cartridges. You budget is a bit low, this one fits, it is an elliptical cartridge with good separation and balance https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/type/moving-magnet/vm530en-h I’m a fan of advanced stylus shapes (Microline, Line Contact, SAS, Shibata, etc. My recommendation is that you find some more money, even if it takes a bit longer, to get this $250. one, wide 28db sep; tight 1 db balance. https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/type/moving-magnet/vm540ml This is AT’s least costly advanced stylus, in your budget, you might think better, BUT: poor channel separation, only 23db https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/type/moving-magnet/at-vm95ml .......................................................... Note: any cartridge, and especially advanced stylus shapes require careful alignment to hear their potential, you need some basic tools and skills, or a friend with either/both. Also: advanced stylus shapes last longer, so eventually you will actually be spending less money. Stylus Shapes Info https://www.sound-smith.com/articles/stylus-shape-information
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Needs Nagaoka MP100,110,200 compliance is VERY LOW for a moving permalloy (mm/mi) cartridge! Dynamic Compliance is listed as 6cm/dyne at 100hz, so at 10hz dynamic compliance of this cart is just 10cu which is very low compliance! If you are looking for high compliance cartridges (as you said) stay away from Nagaoka. |
- 46 posts total