Hana LE for about $500 is a good recommendation. The next model up (shibata stylus LS) is over your budget. Line contact styli like the shibata and other wide-profile types can have better detail retrieval and longer life than cheaper conical and elliptical styli. If you could afford it the Hana LS would be a better long-term purchase!
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Best for you or best for me ? For this reason there is no best cartridge. If you ask why some MC cartridges are better than others you will understand some of them are unique, this is a prime example of relatively cheap and unique MC called "Direct-Coupled", printed micro coil located right above the cantilever, this is the one with very dynamic sound. Audio-Technica engineers are inspired by this technology, as the result we have new ART-1000 (a very expensive modern MC made under impression of Victor Direct-Coupled design). Shibata stylus invented by Victor Corporation. MC1 has Beryllium cantilever. As you can see in the catalog there are more great models, look at Victor X-1IIe (Titanium/Elliptical) MM - this is a great alternative to nearly all modern MC you can buy under $700. And the top Victor MM model is X-1II (Beryllium/Shibata). Regarding some great classics i would recommend Dynavector KARAT 23RS Ruby with MicroReach stylus, they are normally under $700 in mint condition. More about Dynavector carts in my thread here. |
I don't have any specific recommendation for lower cost cartridges; I generally like the more modestly priced examples of Dynavectors that I've heard. I have heard the ART 1000 that Chakster mentioned above. At $5,000 or so, it is actually one of the cheaper super cartridges. I really like that cartridge--it is lively, detailed, and very dynamic sounding without being excessively sibilant. If I were in the market for a $5,000 cartridge (I am not, I already have a Lyra Titan and a Transfiguration Orpheus L), that would be under consideration. |
This cartridge has been around for awhile. https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATC01.html It's been a popular choice for value a MC for years. Plenty of reviews out there. |
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