MC Cartridge for Pro-ject Debut Carbon

I had that exact set-up for a while. IMO I wouldn’t spend a lot on an MC cart with that table and the Mani.

My initial recommendations would be the Denon DL-103, the Hana EL, Ortofon MC Quintet Blue or Red, AT OC9XEN, or AT33EV. Somewhere in that range. That said, I would probably consider a Soundsmith Otello before considering one of those MC carts. 

Personally, I think when you get to the $700-$1,000 range for a cart, you should consider a table and phono stage upgrade. I know I did, made a significant jump, and happy with the results. That table/arm and phono stage will only take you ‘so far’.

I have no experience with your specific TT or Phono Preamp,

I understand the 'idea' of fixed cartridge, non-removable headshell, one of the reasons I chose my 12.5" 'fixed cartridge' arm.

for a single arm table, I would want a removable headshell arm, a few headshells (I like azimuth adjustable headshells) with a few cartridges mounted, ready to switch.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/293416434592?hash=item4450fb7ba0:g:fWQAAOSwq4VeXaps

Certain recordings sound best with one cartridge, other's with another. I'm referring to the engineering/Imaging (not genre specific which I don't believe in). Some need wide channel separation; some benefit from tighter separation. In all cases, a tight channel balance yields improved resolution of any and all instruments/imaging. Toe-in adjustment can solve 'too-wide' also.

Sooo, pick your cartridge considering both your existing and future arm.

I finally tried my first MC, now use two MC, really like them both, and I'm using my prior MM upstairs in my office. 

TT not 'good enough'? That doesn't mean you won't hear the improvements/preferences/imaging of different cartridges on it now, and any cartridge will end up on a future TT.


I like Audio Technica, and would choose either:

MM VM750sh (shibata)

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/type/moving-magnet/vm750sh

or

MC ATOC9XSH (shibata also) (they say only 2 left) 

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/type/moving-coil/at-oc9xsh

my personal choices, all still active:

MM AT440ml in my office; and
MC AT/33PTG/II on my long arm in my main system. (out of stock)

Alternate MC: Goldring Eroica LX. (less wide than the AT33)
Alternate MM: Shure V15Vx body with Jico SAS stylus.
Alternate MM, Elliptical, Shure M97xe
Mono: MI Elliptical, Grado ME+
.........................

alignment skills, needed tools, are paramount to get the best out of any cartridge/