Choice of Phono Cartridges

hi,

1st: your existing cartridge, with elliptical stylus, has some nice upgrade options. you can change your elliptical stylus to either a VMN60SLC (special line contact); or a VMN50SH (shibata,). 

click on the chart on this page about your cartridge for options

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-VM520EB-Elliptical-Turntable-Cartridge/dp/B01M27L6P5/ref=pd_lpo_23_t_0/134-4029388-9775825?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01M27L6P5&pd_rd_r=09484c80-213a-49a6-a390-bb0d442c0226&pd_rd_w=gkYeh&pd_rd_wg=FNlgt&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=A3K65EGGFK9ZM6WHNHNS&psc=1&refRID=A3K65EGGFK9ZM6WHNHNS 

Do you know about advanced stylus tip shapes? 

life of stylus: current elliptical estimated to last 300 hours. both the SLC and SH tip shapes make much more contact with the groove (a good thing indeed), and they are estimated to last 800 hrs (2.67 times longer life). So, you can pay more for an advanced stylus shape, it lasts much longer, it really does not cost more,if you do the math.

Either of those advanced stylus (I would pick the least costly of the two) will definitely improve your audible results, and less wear on your LP's grooves, win/win.
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to clarify, you posted the number of the replaceable stylus for your cartridge. AT adds an N (needle) in the cartridge number, so the cartridge is VM520EB, elliptical stylus is VMN520EB

the EB stands for Elliptical (stylus tip shape), and B for Bonded (glued).
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How are your cartridge alignment skills? No matter what you buy, if you don't have a few inexpensive tools and acquired alignment skills, you will need to have a friend do it, or carry your TT into a shop (mask on), have them do it. You are better off practicing with your elliptical stylus, get the tools and skills for life, then you get the best sound and avoid groove damage free for life
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Once you know the cost of an upgraded stylus for your existing cartridge, then check the features of new considerations.

a lot of cartridges in that price range have elliptical stylus, which is a lateral move regarding the tip. I would strongly advise moving up to advanced shape: LC line contact; ML microline; MR microridge; SAS; Shibata, all of which are designed for MORE surface contact (edge of stylus) against the edge of the groove.
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I just put myself thru torture researching a Moving Coil cartridge (MC). Today I ordered an Audio Technica AT-33PTG/2. It has a Line Contact stylus tip on a boron shaft.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00475S0BU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Having decided, I feel like I got out of jail.
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Do you know about MC? They have delicate weak signals that need to be pre-boosted up to the strength of Moving Magnet (MM) cartridges, like your existing MM cartridge.
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Your phono box is very nice and will handle either MM as now, or a new MC if you do that.

best of luck choosing
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my 2 recent torturous threads

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/mc-cartridge-elliptical-around-0-5mv-track-1-25-1-75-affordable?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid&utm_medium=email

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/audio-technica-at33ptg-ii-mc-cartridge-anyone-have-it-or-heard-it

Elliott

chackster,

thanks for telling us about the difference between vintage Boron PIPE and currently produced Boron ROD.

your advice for deciding on modern cartridge?

advanced tip on aluminum, or go for advanced tip on advanced shaft material?

Having had beryllium and broken it (by breathing in it’s direction) I instinctively go for boron, not wanting anything more brittle and not wanting to pay more for something I will then worry too much about.

I agree with others, stick with MM now so you can stick with mid or higher compliance cartridges for your existing arm, get a nice MM now, and later, when you move to a new TT, new arm, make sure the arm is good for mid/high compliance cartridge (likely).

sticking with MM, and Audio Technica

I have and love the sound of AT440ml microline stylus on aluminum shaft, currently using it every day on my office system.

AT540ml is the current version, microline/aluminum shaft/plastic body

IF you simply upgrade your existing cartridge’s stylus, it would be equivalent to 540ml

AT740ml is same as 540 except it is a cast aluminum body

https://www.audio-technica.com/cms/cartridges/09079f798b312248/index.html

the next logical step is a lighter/stiffer shaft like boron, ....
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don't forget the improved traceability of advanced stylus shapes, follow and stay in the grooves.

Nice to read that OP’s tonearm is so good. Easy and finely adjustable VTA is something I didn’t have until last year, so upgrading the cartridge is a good idea I agree.

I think an advanced tip (beyond elliptical) will give better results. And that stylus will last over 2-1/2 times the life of an elliptical.

I did this, I put a new advanced SAS tip made by Jico in my existing Shure V15VxMR body and could not be happier.

That is why I got excited about OP’s option to upgrade his stylus type in his existing AT body

possible to change your elliptical stylus to either a VMN60SLC (special line contact); or a VMN50SH (shibata,).

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I got excited learning about the supposed advantages of Moving Iron, MI, until I went thru the specs, finding the separation and channel balance were not very good until you get to the very pricey ones.

Someone said that is not as important as I think, however, I have owned/listened to many a cartridge, for imaging, for balance, in my main and office system, I value both.