Best cheap cartridge for college student


Two of my college sons have adopted my analog affliction by picking up cheap TT's (read free) but without any cartridges. One recently came home for Christmas break with a Dual CS2110 table from the 80's that used to have some Ortofon cartridge on it. He has a Rotel integrated amp with MM and MC and listens mostly to reggae/Ska music. He can afford perhaps $150 for a cartridge. What should I advise him?
1) Forget it, put the money into CD
2) Put the Dual back in the trash bin where you found it and wait til you can afford at least a used Rega2
3) wait to be able to buy something like a Denon DL103
4) Buy the 'X' cartridge (you fill in) it's a deal for the price and OK until you get a better TT.
5) Other advice
128x128jyprez
I have a couple of NOS Grados(older brown/tan plastic bodies).One is new, the other has a few hours.They sound great and I will donate them to a good home.I ask only that shipping is paid.I will not be able to ship until 1/4/04.

Larry
the shure or at440ML for about $90, good tracker, bass, mids, top. the grado COULD hum with a dual.

aka hifitommy
I had a Shure M97xE on my first "good/cheap" TT, an early AR ES-1 with Linn Basik arm (I paid $35for it!). The Shure did fine. I still have it around as my spare cart. I'd recommend it--it should work fine in that setup, and the little brush can be good for someone who might not care for their records properly. Mine picked up plenty of dust bunnies before I got a VPI RCM. FWIW, I was in college when I got the Shure ;)

Like tommy says, watch out for humming Grados.
Thanks Larry (Transnova) for your donation of your NOS Grado to a college student analog convert. You are a scholar and a gentleman!