Grado ZTE+, Black, Green, Prestige Gold
Audio Technica AT125LC, and few more lower
Schure M97xE
ADC XLM MKII Improved
Clearaudio Aurum Classics Wood
My pick for best performance/price is ADC XLM, then comes AT125LC, both at under $100 for both cartridge and stylus. On my turntables (Clearaudio Bluemotion and Thorens TD145MKii), Clearaudio does not sound distinctively better than ADC XLM.
Without considering the price, I would go for Clearaudio, ADC XLM, Grado Gold, and ATC125LC. Currently using Grado Gold on Bluemotion and ADC XLM on Thorens. For me it is hard to distinguish sound on either unless I pay close attention. Thorens/ADC wins in very slight margin over Bluemotion/Grado Gold with slightly deeper base and wider sound stage.
Audio Technica AT125LC, and few more lower
Schure M97xE
ADC XLM MKII Improved
Clearaudio Aurum Classics Wood
My pick for best performance/price is ADC XLM, then comes AT125LC, both at under $100 for both cartridge and stylus. On my turntables (Clearaudio Bluemotion and Thorens TD145MKii), Clearaudio does not sound distinctively better than ADC XLM.
Without considering the price, I would go for Clearaudio, ADC XLM, Grado Gold, and ATC125LC. Currently using Grado Gold on Bluemotion and ADC XLM on Thorens. For me it is hard to distinguish sound on either unless I pay close attention. Thorens/ADC wins in very slight margin over Bluemotion/Grado Gold with slightly deeper base and wider sound stage.