Cartridge recommendation for a Rega Planar 3 with a RB330 tonearm with Rega dust cover?

Budget is $200 to $500. Preamp phono inputs available in likely use descending order are a Conrad Johnson PV-5, an original Musical Surroundings Phonomena and an Audio Research SP16. Speakers are either Thiel CS 3.5 or KEF LS50 Meta. The room measures 12' W X 22' L X 8' H. The speakers will be on the short wall. Also, are there any negatives to adding shims to the RB330 to get the correct VTA? Thank you for your suggestions.

575112-05-2025 6:21am

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12-05-2025 at 06:32pm

I just noticed, that Ortofon I linked tracks at only 1.5g, I like that

this is NOS 440ML, microline on aluminum, $240. del'd.

strong separation, tight balance, high output signal, low tracking force

Cartridge & Stylus
Frequency Response	5-32,000 Hz
Channel Separation	30/20 (dB at 1 kHz/10 kHz)
Vertical Tracking Force	0.8-1.6 grams
Stylus Construction	Nude square shank
Recommended Load Impedance	47,000 ohms
Output Voltage	5.0 (mV at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec)
Output Channel Balance	0.75 dB
Stylus Shape	MicroLine™
Cantilever	Tapered alloy tube
Mounting	Half-inch
Replacement Stylus	ATN440ML

I am playing one like it in my office, also MM, the 540 is the current version, and they make new stylus VMN that fit it

https://www.ebay.com/itm/326880546961?mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=c8e4efaa-d207-11f0-9951-653130323763

6,717 posts

12-05-2025 at 06:46pm

When I owned a Rega Planar 3, my brother in law made shims of various thickness in his machine shop for my RB300 arm. I used 4 shims for the proper arm height with a Sumiko BP Special cartridge ( nude cartridge). I never ever had problems with the dust over touching the arm. There was at least an inch or two of clearance. The shims slipped onto the threaded arm base and raised it perfectly. There is a company whose name I don’t remember that makes shims for the arm, research it.