I have both cartridges (95ml and the 540ml) and use a Jelco 250ST arm which is medium compliance. Both preform excellent on the vinyl. Both sound different to each other. The 95 is clean and crisp but the 540 amps it up the level quite a bit. I was surprised actually. A debut carbon won't give you much of this realization. If I were you I would suggest a low level, high end table used in good condition. Would allow for the next step up on the speakers and preamp if and when you are ready.
AT-95ML on a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon
I just upgraded my stereo system and it’s revealed how lacking my turntable is, so I’ve ordered a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (without a cartridge) for a couple hundred bucks, without a cartridge. I plan on throwing the AT-95ML from my current turntable onto the Pro-Ject.
I know a VM540ML would be a "better" fit due to it being higher compliance, but the 95ML is what I already have.
My thinking is that some weights behind the cartridge should overcome the compliance issue and give me a solid (for the money) turntable setup.
Is there anything I’m overlooking? I ran the compliance calculator and it seems around 6g of additional weight (not including the screws/mounting hardware) should be enough to overcome the compliance issues.
Setup will be a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon with a VM95ML -> Fosi Audio X2 phono preamp with some GE 5654W’s -> Tubes4Hifi SP12 PreAmp -> VTA ST-120 with Sovtek 5660WE’s -> B&W 702s2’s and a KEF R400b subwoofer.