Cartridges

For starters, you require an excellent cartridge to clearly hear any record. Lowest grade cartridge I would use is a VM540ML. My current HOMC cartridge plays with $1K+ cartridges. I could buy better but am satisfied.

@fisher_400 "I could buy better but am satisfied".

This is the most 'valuable statement' and the knowing where to come of the gas and enjoy the hard work done, is a very important place to arrive.

I have been through the hike and enjoying the Vista being available for quite some time.

The Plateaus on the Yonder Mountains are wonderful to look at, and present their own attraction and allure, but the knowing there is not much more enjoyment to be had, than has already been experienced, in getting up there is a good place to be.

Buy a DS Audio 003 or above and never go back to MC or MM again

SL-1200 mk II. (2 from early mid 80’s

sl-1210 mk II (from mid 90’s I think ,black version)

every few years, remove platter, remove spindle assembly, wipe, fresh oil, 

set brake, blow out w air duster, put together.  Not a hiccup, start, stop on a half dime, never out of speed, always turns on, no belts, no bs. 
still used to record lps to computer to burn to taiyo yuden cdrs’

after what, coming up on almost 40 years, no issues.

Ortofon Arkiv to record to computer, or the nightclub II for extra mid n low end. 
 

best most reliable TT built. 
naysayers eat a bag of icksday :)

great sound, no hiccups in any of them. 
I take care of them.  Maybe kids someday will get them and my records. 
as my nephew said when here long years ago, after seeing my records in a box (Uncle R****** , how big were your CD players .

classic!