Cartridge suggestions for SME Turntable


I just purchased a SME Model 15A w/309 tonearm.  What are some of the best cartridges that pairs well this amazing turntable, say under $5K. 
Thank you! 
128x128lalitk

Showing 5 responses by mijostyn

I absolutely second the Windfeld Ti. In that price range there is no better cartridge and it is hard to justify spending more money than this. The Windfeld Ti is one of the best tracking cartridges made and it is superbly neutral not emphasizing and part of the audio spectrum. It is also a perfect match for the 309. What a great setup! I think the 15 is handily the best value in the line. Enjoy!! 
Ok Lalitk, The Koetsu I would recommend strongly against. It really works best in the heaviest of arms and even so it is not a great tracker. You could add weight to your arm but....
The Etsuro is not the greatest tracker at 70um. The Windfeld Ti is rated for 90um. 80 um is IMHO acceptable. 
Both the Charisma and Miyajima Labs are stiffer cartridge's meant for the larger arms the Japanese like. Again you can add weight but...
Your arm is best suited for cartridges in the 13 - 20 um/mN range. Such as The Ortofon Windfeld Ti, any Lyra cartidge, any Clearaudio cartridge, any Van den Hul Cartridge, any Grado cartridge. I generally stay away from cottage companies and stick to the well established generally more technically sophisticated, larger companies. IMHO the Windfeld Ti is the perfect cartridge for you given what you want to spend. The Lyra Kleos would be my second pick followed by the Clearaudio Stradivari V2 and the Van den Hul Frog. 
Raul, I am not sure people understand the different types of balance tonearms can have and how they affect performance. 
Tonearms either have Neutral or Static balance. Static balance is what you usually have. Balance the arm so that it floats perfectly horizontally. Lift the headshell 1/2 inch and gently let go. The arm will start oscillating up and down looking for the balance point which it will eventually find. 
Neutral balance is more difficult to achieve. The center of mass at both ends of the arm have to be in line with the pivot. Carry out the same procedure as you did with the static balance arm and when you lift the headshel 1/2 inch and gently let go it will just stay there motionless. Anywhere you put the headshell it will stay. This is what you want in a tonearm, much superior warp tracking. Static balance arm bounce on their cantilever and if the warp is bad enough will leave the record. A neutral balance arm will not do this. To be neutral balance with all cartridges you have to have an adjustable counterweight like the Schroder CB or the Reed 2G. I think the Tri Planar is also a neutral balance arm. The SAT arm interestingly is not. It is Static Balance all the way and it's vertical bearing is high above the record another no no. The Schroder CB will outperform the SAT arm all day long. So why does Michael Fremer like it so much? If I had to guess it is expensive and it looks cool. An expensive, very well made poor design. Go figure
Thank you cleeds for the interpretation. I mean that sincerely as Raul had me a bit lost. 
I have used a Schroder CB and have the chance to play with it a little.
Fabulous arm. My assessment of the SAT arm is based on the observation of it's design. If you look at a picture you will notice that the vertical bearing is high above the record surface and that you can not draw a line from the center of the balance weight through the bearing through the center of mass of the cartridge. The cartridge extends significantly below this line. This is a static balance arm. Because of these 2 traits the SAT arm can not track a warped record as well as the CB. If your records are not warped it does not matter. As far as the sonic performance of these arms? Do you really think that the SAT arm sounds $25,000 better? A tonearm should have no sound of it's own. Certainly the Schroder is going to sound better on a warped record. Less warp wow and cantilever deflection. On a flat record I would bet no one could tell the difference.