Budget MM Phono Cartridge Recommendation


Looking to upgrade the cartridge on my Technics SL-3300 (w/AT95E) with a budget cartridge, under $200.
The following are what I've been able to find in this price range, one from each brand:

Sumiko Pearl
Ortofon 2M Red Verso
Grado Blue1 Prestige
Audio Technica VM530EN

And for a little bit more, Ortofon 2M Blue.

Any recommendations from this list or you think I'm wasting my money...keeping in mind this is a budget upgrade.
Thanks in advance.
kalali

Showing 3 responses by inna

I would like to hear some kind of arguments regarding modern cartridges being crap and vintage ones being great. Personally, I only have limited experience with modern ones, and they are definitely not crap.
I would go with Nagaoka 150 or Grado Gold, $275 and $260 respectively, from lpgear.com. Both will sound full and dynamic.