Entry Rega,NAD,Project,MusicHall Catridge question

Well Phasecorrect, you are looking at about a $30 cartridge in the Elan, and about a $45 cartridge in the Elektra. Both very budget MM types. The Sumiko Oyster is about in the middle, price wise, at about $40. They are all what you might call "throw-in" cartridges that don't cost the mfr hardly anything, and they can include them on a table that is ready to go.

If I had to take my choice, I'd go with the Elektra.

Now, VTA adustment. On entry level tables, you are not going to have any. On the NAD, which will have a Rega arm, you can get one for about $40. The idea is to adjust the stylus "rake" in the groove, so that the cartridge will have the proper frequency balance, tracking, and overall sound. You have to do this by ear, although setting the arm level when playing is a good starting point. Then you move slightly up or down to achieve the sound you want. These low priced tables and cartridges may not be very responsive to such adjustments, but it wouldn't hurt.

Twl..what would be the next level of cartridges above the ones mentioned that would be a significant upgrade...would $100 be enough? Also, at this price point...what are the advantages/disadvantages of MC vs MM...thanks...

Well, the best cartridge at a very low price is the Ortofon X5-MC which is being sold on Audiogon classified as a regular thing for about $115 new. Believe it or not, this is a very good MC cartridge that is competitive with some $600 cartridges, and sounds real good. If your phono section can take a 2mv cartridge output, with about 45db gain, you are in like Flynn.

For a MM cart, the Goldring is good, but the lowest serious cartridge by them is the 1012 at around $100.

You really need to spend at least $100 to get into the ball game. These 2 that I mentioned are 2 of the best bets, with the Ortofon being the real "sleeper". You'll have to order from Hong Kong to get that low price. I think 2Juki is handling them for $115.

The MM vs MC thing is really not an issue until you get into the $500 and up category.

I will be adding a phono preamp...havent decided yet...but if I go with the ortofon...is there a affordable option that would mate well(dont laugh..but a few posters have pushed the radio shack "little rack"...is this thing garbage or what...and will this cartridge fit on older tables as well...thanks....

I had a mmf-2 at one time and the arm does have a VTA adjustment.
The Elan cartridge is good enough for the table and I doubt the cheap arm would do service to much anything better.I replaced my Elan with a Grado Platinum and though it sounded a bit better I never really got to hear what the Grado could do until I moved up to a Rega P-25/RB-600.
If I had do it over again I would skip the Music Hall and save for a while longer and get something quite a bit better.I wasted money upgrading and I'd hate to see anyone make the same mistakes I made.