Cartridge Recommendations

Very nice well rounded plenty of detail and separation. Its on sale for $699 from online sites.

You should listen to an EMT. Mid level output will allow you to listen with less gain from your Rhea and keep you out of the noise floor

Not sure if it’s a good much for your arm but the Soundsmith zephyr Star is very nice. It took the dynamic capabilities of my system up a notch without being in your face. Never seems to work to hard, no etch in the treble. I’m sure there are carts that sound more effortless than this one but effortless is an apt description. It likes to be tail up on my Nottingham ace space 294. Very non fatiguing, I can listen for hours. 

I have had the opportunity to hear a Soundsmith Zephyr played through 3.7’s several times.  It’s the best vinyl I have heard. Direct listening comparisons with the Zephyr were made to a DL 103 and a Hana EL on one occasion. I very much preferred the Zephyr. Not surprising, as the Zephyr is much more expensive.@joegator81 ‘s description is spot on and precisely and concisely describes my experience of the Zephyr. 

@mre28m5 It’s not because the SoundSmith cartridge is more expensive, it’s because the cartridge is MI with Sapphire cantilever and Selected Contact Line stylus.

You’re comparing this MI cartridge to the entry level Denon 103 MC desidned in the late ’60s with the cheapest ever Spherical stylus on alluminum cantilever. The Hanna is nothing special, but the Shibata stylus.

If you like what low output MI can do then you can discover some amazing MI like Grado Signature XTZ, or low impedance (low output) MM designed by Stanton/Pickering in the 70/80’s such as Stanton XLZ 980 or Pickering XLZ 4500s - they are both works only with MC phono stage or with headamp, but both cartridges are MM