Best cartridge for Pro-Ject 9.1

I know you specified LOMC, but I just got an RM10 and a Blackbird is on my short list.

I've heard that the Blackbird could be a bit bright, is that correct?

I think you should look at the benz line.I have also heard good things about shelter and zxy.You didnt say how much you had to spend?

With an 8.5g tonearm, maybe you should consider the Ortofon 2M Black with a compliance of 22. With your tonearm it should have a resonance of 8.6 Hz which is in the "safe" zone.

I know it's an MM cartridge, but I think it would be a good fit.

It's also been extremely well reviewed, even by expensive LOMC phreaks.

Johnny Yes someone else also recommended the Ortofon 2M Black and I'm intrigued by it. I currently have a Shindo Aurieges preamp and am hoping to upgrade to the Aurieges MM which has a MM phono stage so the 2M would be a good fit. Until I get the Aurieges MM what phono stage would match well with it?

You mean something musical but reasonably inexpensive until the Aurieges comes in?

There are several good-performing low cost phono stages these days and I'm sure other A-goners with more varied experience will chime in. The Bellari VP129 tube-driven phono stage has good buzz and it's main limitation is that it has only 29 dB of gain. If you go with a 2M Black, however, this wouldn't be a problem because the Black has rather high output even for an MM.

Another alternative is the Cambridge Audio 640P, which can accommodate a wide range of cartridges as it's switchable between MC and MM for 58db and 39 dB of gain respectively. It takes a bit of break-in to smooth out, but once it does, it has excellent clarity and detail at the price ($169) but with good speed and great musical coherency.

Johnny I don't mind spending a bit more either, as long as it retains its resale value until the Shindo MM comes in. Do you have any other suggestions in the $500-$700 range?
Thanks

08-03-08: Mikeyc8
Johnny I don't mind spending a bit more either, as long as it retains its resale value until the Shindo MM comes in. Do you have any other suggestions in the $500-$700 range?

Bear in mind that I've only been back into vinyl playback for 1-1/2 years, and the only outboard stage I really have experience with is the Cambridge (plus some vintage preamps), but the Dynavector P75 mk2 is considered a very good pre at $750. If you google for it you'll find plenty of reviews, including one here at Audiogon.

If you're lucky, maybe you could find a used Graham Slee Era Gold V here. It is, however, limited to MM from about 2.5mV on up.

I agree with Redtop. I have the Benz Micro Ace med on my Project rm5. Along with the PS Audio GHPC, 30 year old vinyl sounds better then it did 30 years ago. This cart has gone up to about $700.00 but with the deck you have I believe it would be worth it.

Johnny, I have a line the Dyna P75 and its on my list.
Thanks