2. analog
  3. 132604-102797

Best cartridge for SME 309

Hello 
i am considering to get me Avid Sequel Sp TT, and the SME 309 arm. 
Therfor i need a great cartridge for the set up. 
But are the so big difference between the cartridges when it come to what kind of music that i play. 
I want a dynamic sound that is somewhere warm in the sound. 

128x128heidrun
5 responses Add your response
robob's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
robob
202 posts
 
Heidrun,

I have a Lyra Kleos on my 309 and it sounds really good through a Parasound JC+.  It is both detailed and full and tracks pretty well.  Before I bought my Kleos Fremer liked the combination and I hear what he heard.

Good fortune,
Robert
larryi
3,982 posts
 

Heidrun,

A friend of mine has the 309 tonearm with upgraded bearings.  This is a very nice tonearm.  I have heard it with a Lyra Titan i, Transfiguration Orpheus L and Dynavector XX-2 cartridge.  I cannot say how it compares with other arms playing these or any other cartridges except with respect to one aspect of performance with one cartridge--the Orpheus L.  We mounted the same Orpheus L in three different arms on different tables.  The one thing we could actually "measure" is that the Orpheus L tracked a little better in the SME 309 than it did in a Graham Phantom ii arm and a Basis Vector 3 arm (using an old Shure test record with increasing levels of modulation).

harold-not-the-barrel
895 posts
 
SHURE ULTRA 500 has it all and fits namely the SME series III perfectly.
Still after thirty years experience and search for the finest cartridge I have listened. Because I have heard and been there, so to speak. One of the very few carts that really sing and shine. Furthermore, it sounds good anywhere, quote by a well known Shure specialist, Dlaloum. Yes I know the SME 309 is somewhat different to my III but I understand what David is talking about. Furthermore, to get the best out of the 500 you need very low total capacitance, input (cable) + inherent capacitance (inside amp). Total of 100 - 150 pF leads you there.  

Best of Luck
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,054 posts
 
Dear @heidrun: You can mount almost any cartridge in your tonearm. About the warm sound you like, that's a coloration that almost does not exist in live MUSIC, what you listen is the result of the room/system each link ( in that chain ) characteristics and if it's true that the cartridge puts its own signature to the whole room/system sound it's true too that each link contributes with its own " signature ".

Btw, a good cartridge plays the same any kind of music you like it. In a good cartridge design is false what some people says:  " hey, this cartridge is good for jazz but not for classical " or the like.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,661 posts
 
I use Grado cartridges on my 309 arm. The resonance frequency is a perfect 10 HZ. If you prefer a warm sounding cartridge you won't go wrong with a Grado!
Log in to respond
More to discover
80x80
Tien Audio
80x80
Kuzma 4 Point 14”
80x80
ZYX Ultimate Exceed Omega