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Mono cartridge recommendation

Ok, so tomorrow, my TNT will be getting a new baby brother.  I'd like to get a mono cartridge for it, my budget for now is up to $1K, less is better but not strictly necessary.

I'm open to MC, MI, or MM carts, but I generally prefer MCs. My Herron VTPH-2A can handle pretty much anything. I also have a few SUTs too to play around with. 

I tend to gravitate toward extremely neutral cartridges, so that's a consideration. I know everyone's system is different and will have different opinions on what constitutes neutral.

I have a couple of tonearms of various masses, so matching shouldn't be an issue. I've seen ATs, Hanas, Ortofons, and a few others in that range, but I don't have an opportunity to audition any of them before purchase.

My system:
Phono preamp: Herron VTPH-2A
Preamp:  Balanced Audio Technology VK-30SE
Amp:  Bryston 4B SST2
Speakers Magnepan 1.7i
Among other things...

I'm hoping the collective intelligence of the group will help me find a good match. So, what are your impressions of various mono cartridges in this price range?
vinylzone

Showing 1 response by hdm

hdm
1,055 posts
 
There is a lot of very good info in a couple of posts from Jonathan Carr in the following thread here:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/which-mono-cartridge-at-around-1-300-00

I use an AT 33 Mono that I had Steve Leung install a Namiki boron cantilever with microridge stylus on a few years ago and it is all the mono cartridge I'll ever need. 

It's grossly superior to the same cartridge with the stock aluminum cantilever and conical stylus-which is no slouch-on both vintage (mid 50's & up) mono and modern reissue mono. 

Would never go back to using a conical on mono records, old or new. Just too much information that is missed/lost in translation. The conical for mono thing is a myth. 
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