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Budget Cartridge Questions

Funny thing -- a few months back I got back into vinyl, buying a Thorens TD-320, and purchasing a new Ortofon Super OM20. I've been enjoying the experience a lot, but.... I recently got curious and switched from the OM20 back to the Shure Premier that came with the table. I found that that old cartridge produces better details in the mids and highs and seems to produce a bit less sibilance. The OM20, by contrast sounds more veiled. So I checked with Shure and they tell me that the Premier was a low-grade model years ago, the equivalent today of their entry level M92E ($40). Now I'm thinking that maybe I should try a different cartridge new? MY budget is about $100. I've read good (and some bad) about each of these: Shure M97xE and Audio Technica AT440ML. They're both available new online for about $90. Has anyone compared these with the OM20 and/or with each other? What would you recommend? Obviously, I'm a low-budget guy so I'm not expecting the world, but clarity and detail across the spectrum, with some warmth, would be nice. Thanks for any help....
winegasman

Showing 1 response by creativepart

creativepart's avatar
creativepart
155 posts
 
I tried the Grado Red and liked that in my Thorens 165. However, with Thorens and Grado as a combination there was a little bit of hum. Both are unshielded (the Cartridge and the Thorens motor).

I got mine for $89 at www.almostmusic.com.

Very open sounding, lots of good things to like about this cart. If you don't mind a little hum -- hardly noticable over the music.

Paul Green
PS. The Denon 103d is supposed to be great for cheap too. Except that it's a MC low output cart and you'd have to have the proper phono stage.
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