Cartridge for JVC

The GRADO Prestige Gold3 out specs it by a large margin for less $.

Thanks for the reply!  Out specs the AT or the Z1?  I have read the Z1 was a pretty good cart but it is a few decades old.  It did play fine (as far as i could tell) in the demo when I bought the table.

Get the SAS stylus. The Z1 is worthy of that!

• GRADO Prestige Gold3
• Frequency Response: 10-55,000 Hz
• Principal: MI
• Channel Separation at 1KHz: 35
• Input Load: 47K
• Output at 1KHz 5CM/sec.: 5mV
• Recommended Tracking Force: 1.5
• Stylus Type: E
• Inductance: 45mH
• Resistance: 475
• Compliance CUs: 20
• User replaceable stylus
• Mounting: S/P
• Weight: 5.5

The vinyl end of this rig is never going to sound great with an AVR built-in phono stage. An AT95e and a Schiit Mani mk2 plugged into an Aux input will likely sound better. 

No offense, but no Schiit product ever sounds great. I gave them a try and even gave them an extra strike. I have tried 4 and all had issues or underperformed. All got sent back and their customer service is an F- at best.  Done with Schiit for good.

Thanks for all of the replies.  I do have a McIntosh MAC 4100 that I bought new back in the early 80's that I could use that may have a better phono stage but it would require switching speaker leads and moving the Mac amp over each time and that would be a hassle.  May look at a separate unit if you all think it's warranted/justified.

The Mani mk2 is much improved and the OP may like to try it at $149. There are other alternatives but taking phono external to the AVR will improve things.