A suitable cart and possible practical tweaks for a Rega Planar 3...

Hello All -

I own a Rega Planer 3, with the RB300 tonearm - purchased in 1996, and lightly used; and still have my original cart - a Signet AM40 cartridge. I have gone through periods of moderate use, to little use, to no use; but now, after several year, I am ready to start listening to vinyl again.

I'm thinking about changing the phono cartridge, but I am unsure of what will make an appreciable difference - and pair well with the RB300 tonearm.  The Signet is not a bad cartridge - and it still sounds 'good', subjectively.  However, I believe that I can do quite a bit better without a significant investment - LESS than $800.00.  I'm looking for well-defined lower bass, warm and clear midrange and clean high-end without distortion.

My phono stage is an Acurus P10, about 20 years old and I've always been fairly pleased with it, as it is can acommodating both mm and high and low output mc. Again, open to upgrading if it will make an appreciable difference, and would go used to save some money.  I am also open to a less expensive cart, and one or two tweaks that I can hear.

My research has brought me to consider these phono cartridges which are in and slightly above my price range:

Rega Elys 2 mm

Ortofon 2M Black mm

Denon DL-103 mc

Hana EH mc

Goldring E3

Goldring 1042

Sumiko Blue Point No. 3

Dynavector DV 10x5 mc

I know variations of this very question has been asked many times over the years on these boards, and I apologize for the repetition and all of your patience!

Many, many thanks to all for the benefit of your knowledge and experience.