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Cartridge - sweet spot on the cost/sound curve?

I think my Sumiko Blue point 2 is going. Right channel is lower sound level than right using my turntable, totally even using digital. Table is Project RPM 5 carbon that I bought as a store demo with the blue point 2 so no telling how many hrs on it.

 

The rest of the system is a PS audio GCPH phono pre, deHaviland Ultraverve 3, McCormack DNA 1, Martin Logan SL3s with new panels. 
 

I loved the warmth and focus of the blue point but am a bit back by how much they cost $500. Don’t laugh I know carts can cost thousands but I got a kid in college!

 

Any recommendations for something at or under that price point that is better? 

1trackmind
elliottbnewcombjr
7,826 posts
 

Happily, my 1st pick for a Moving Coil was/is a winner, and your Phono stage has MM and MC options

AT33PTG/II MC Microline on Tapered Boron: eBay $460.

Cartridge & Stylus
Frequency Response 15-50,000 Hz
Channel Separation 30 dB (1 kHz)
Vertical Tracking Angle 23°
Vertical Tracking Force 1.8-2.2 g (2.0 g standard)
Recommended Load Impedance More than 100 ohms (when head amplifier is connected)
Coil Impedance 10 ohms (1 kHz)
DC Resistance 10 ohms
Coil Inductance 22 µH (1 kHz)
Output Voltage 0.3 mV (at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec)
Output Channel Balance 0.5 dB (1 kHz)
Stylus Shape Microlinear
Cantilever Gold-plated nude tapered boron

 

I wore it out, bought a new one without hesitation (for 1/2 price from AT's trade-in program). 

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elliottbnewcombjr
7,826 posts
 

one method to get boron, is to buy a Shure V15 body, and a NEW Jico SAS on Boron

Shure V15V body, eBay $200.

Jico SAS on Boron $282.

It comes with the brush you can use up or down like the Shure originals, however, Shure's brushes were/are damped, Jico's is non-damped.

And, you can have VAS rebuild you a frankencartridge, I've got an advanced stylus Steve calls 'P', on boron, with Shure's OEM damped brush that I can use in either my 97x body or V15Vx body

ericba's avatar
ericba
152 posts
 

What about the Hana EH or EL? Both MC but EH with high output depending of your phono stage capabilities. Hana makes great products at a very complétive price point. I have owned two Hana SL in a row. The EH is often in the list of annual best buys.Another option is to get a SL at a discount as Hana is replacing it with the Hana SL MKII…while quantities last. Good luck and keep us posted.

1trackmind OP
8 posts
 

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I will do some detective work over the weekend to figure out where the imbalance comes from - duh Oh moment! I should have figured that out myself.

 

THANKS!

richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand
1,424 posts
 

@elliottbnewcombjr 

Just a word of caution - there were several series of Shure V15 made, and they do not necessarily share compatible stylii. The V15 Type IV was the first with the built-in brush.  I inherited a V15 Type III and was looking for a Jico boron cantilever / Super Analog Stylus but I could get a complete AT540ML cartridge for the same price, so I did.

Then I spotted a Jico SAS/B stylus a bit cheaper from a seller in Japan, but they shipped a NUDE stylus worth only half as much instead!  Still fighting that one ...

 

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