Moving coil cartridge advice needed


A friend recently acquired a VPI Aries turnable with JMW Memorial arm and asked my advice on a good but not outrageous MC cartridge, say around $1,000.

He has a phono pre that will support the lowest output cartridges. He listens to a broad range of popular music, although I've gotten him sampling some jazz and classical lately. Accuracy in soundstaging and transients, deep well controlled bass and good tracking are important.

Ones which came to my mind - Benz Micro (Ref 2 silver, L2, Glider L2), Clearaudio Sigma Wood, Dynavector Karat 17D2 Mk II, Lyra Lydian Beta and Shelter 501. I've only heard the Dynavector personally (excellant cartridge, IMHO). Read that the Benz's are very "warm", which if true, may not be optimal given his listening tastes. Comments on these or
other recommendations most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Doug
grandpad

Showing 3 responses by rwd

Hi all...I am no techno person but I can respond that I have an Aries and 10.5 with a Lyra Helikon and a Benz Micro Med MC. (I have two arm tubes). The Helikon is very comfortable in the are and sounds quite good! When I first got the table and amr and cartridge, I was experiencing some lead-in groove skips...I assume it was the anti skate. After some playing around with the are tube cable....(that controls the anti skate) all was well.

All I can say, it is a marvelous match......super sound, BUT the Helikon does take some time (100 hrs?) to break in....as a mater of fact it still is.
Hi Doug!

If you live in the Tri-State area (New York) you are most welcomed to come by and listen (see) my Aries/JWM/Helikon set up!

Regards...
Rick
Hi Doug....bit of a trip for you....NYC (Staten Island) but you are most welcomed!!!!

P.S. Any of you in the area are!