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Cartridge for VPI TT with JMW 9 tonearm

After years of listening to digital (DSD/Flac, CDs/SACDs) and contemplating on buying a TT I finally bought a very well kept VPI Scout Jr with an upgraded JMW 9 tonearm (instead of the original gimballed tonearm). I would like to upgrade the cartridge and unlike many here who are looking for expensive cartridges, I have a limited budget. So unfortunately the search is not helping since I keep finding recommendations for >$1k carts.

My Phono premap is a Pro-Ject Phono Box DS that supports MM and MC. My amp is Naim, speakers Focal Sopra 1. I listen mostly to Jazz, Electronic, and some Rock. Prefer a full-body, semi warm sound with good bass.

After some internet search, I came-up with the following potential cart options in my price range (<$400) that seem to have been highly recommended, but I have no idea which one would actually be a good match for my TT/tonearm. Can you please let me know which would be the best choice for my setup? As always, I appreciate your comments and recommendations!

Grado Prestige Gold 3  (MI)
Audio-Technica AT-OC9XEN (MC)
Sumiko Blue Point #2  (MC)
Denon DL-103R (MC)
NAGAOKA MP-150 (MM)
rfarassat

Showing 5 responses by rfarassat

rfarassat OP
17 posts
 
Thank you both for the quick responses. Sounds like you both liked the AT-OC9XEN. Hopefully my Phono preamp will be good enough for the low MC power coming from that cartridge. 

If there are other cartridges in similar price range that I missed, please also let me know. Thanks.
rfarassat OP
17 posts
 
millercarbon, thank you for the great suggestions, appreciate it. I am looking to upgrade the phono stage as well, but definitely need a cartridge since the one that came on the table needs to be replaced. 
If you have recommendations for phono stage please let me know. 
rfarassat OP
17 posts
 
Motorway, thanks for the response. While I would love to have any of those cartridges, they are all unfortunately outside my budget.

Tooblue, thanks for the recommendation, I will need to read about that. 
rfarassat OP
17 posts
 
Thanks everyone for the great comments and info you provided. These lead me to potentially re-prioritize my purchase plans - it seems I should look at upgrading my Phono preamp first before the cartridge. I will look into that to see what options I have. 
rfarassat OP
17 posts
 
tablejockey, thank you for the vote on OC9 III, would love to have that one, but outside my price range. Hopefully the OC9XEN is similar. 

Johnto, thanks for recommendations on Hana EH. I have added that to my list as well as the Goldring 2500 is one shows-up on the used market. Thanks.
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