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Looking for a new phon cartridge

I have a J Sikora Initial Max Turntable with a J Sikora tonearm.  My phono stage is a Sutherland Dual.  My amp and preamp are PrimaLuna 400s.  I also have Devore Gibbon X speakers.

I am looking to replace my Hana Umami Blue cartridge which has worn out.  While I enjoyed the Umami, I found it to be a little too "hot" at times.  

I am looking for a cartridge that emphasizes natural sound over extreme detail.  My price range is under $3000.

Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

walt8489
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,821 posts
 

Koetsu Rosewood.

dwette
174 posts
 

If you find a LOMC cartridge too hot or too bright, maybe the real problem is phono-stage loading. Trying increasing that (i.e. lower resistive values).

I have Lyra Atlas and DV XVX-1s cartridges and I can definitely make them sound overly bright/hot/lively by decreasing loading on my phono-stage. When I get loading right they sound sublime.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
mwh777
92 posts
 

Sumiko Celebration 40.

kennyc
1,521 posts
 

+1 Koetsu Rosewood

maybe Grado 

dwette
174 posts
 

@noromance @kennyc 

Any Koetsu will have to be NOS or used. The builder died and the company closed operations.

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