Best $250 max phono Cart


G'day mates -

I'm loaning a friend my old turntable/amp (Nottingham Analogue Horizon, Rega tonearm, Rega Brio integrated amp with built-in phono).  He'll need to purchase a cartridge but does not want to spend more than $250.   He'll be listening to mostly rock & pop 60's-90's.  I also have an Auditorium 23 SUT intended for the Denon 103, but that $350 for a new Denon 103 price tag is too steep for him.  I see the Audio-Technica VM540ML ($249) as a top seller on Needle Doctor, but I have not heard it.  I'm curious if you have recommendations at this price range? Or, should I just tell him to bite the bullet and get a denon 103/R? Thanks in advance!
mikld

Showing 1 response by mikld

Thanks for the recommendations mattmiller agrippa noromance! I watched some cart shootouts on youtube from HiViNyws (Ian in Singapore), the Nagaoka MP-150 (~$300) sounds great, I agree with the few videos I watched that it outclassed at least the Hana EL but might be a little too $$. Funny story, I have a Well Tempered Labs TLC MM cartridge on my Amadeus, which is modeled after the Nagaoka MP-150.  Searching at the $100 level, I'm read that The Vessel A3SE ($99) is worth consideration. anyone have experience with the Vessel A3SE?  Whichever way he ends up going it will be fine, there are some really great choices available.