Denon 103? Shure V15? AT OC9? guidance


Dear Hifi Friends,
I'm about to replace my phono cartridge. I have Magneplanar 1.6qr speakers, Music Hall mmf-7 phono, and McIntosh amp. I listen to Symphony, Straight ahead jazz, Classic Jazz.

I read the reviews on 3 great cartridges, similarly priced (my price range of about $300.) What are your thoughts and experiences on "these 3" cartridges:
DENON 103; SHURE V15; AUDIO TECHNICA OC9

Thank you for your thoughts and guidance.
Hififile
hififile

Showing 1 response by eldartford

Every phono cartridge sounds a bit different (like every microphone) and people have their own opinions. You should try to listen to several cartridges using the same LP, and form your own opinion.

For what it's worth, my experience over several decades has been that only moving coil cartridges (Ortofon and Signet) sounded better than the good old reliable Shure V15. But, it seems like every time I needed to replace the stylus of a moving coil cartridge, the particular model was no longer made, and I was offered a small discount on a new, more expensive, model. Enough of that BS. I have gone back to the Shure V15, with user replaceable stylus.