Need cartridge advice for Supratek preamp


I recently came back to analog after many years of having a digital-only front end. My knowledge of analog systems is therefore sorely lacking at this time, although my enthusiasm for listening to my old record collection again is very high.

Last month I purchased a Supratek Syrah preamp with phono stage (similar to the Supratek Chenin which replaced it) and an Oracle Delphi V turntable with Rega 300 arm. What cartridge do you recommend that I buy? I'd like to keep the cost of the cartidge under $350.00 or so, but I'm flexible in that regard.

According to the Supratek owner's manual:

***The phono section is designed to handle low output moving coil cartidges. Moving magnets will generally not be suitable without modification, although lower output MM's may be okay depending on your system.

The cartridge input range is 0.1mV to approx. 2.5 mV.
Next to the phono input is a 4-way slide switch for cartidge loading values - from the top down are 47 kOhm, 1 kOhm, 100 Ohms, 10 Ohms.***

Because I purchased the Supratek partly in response to the favorable threads here at Audiogon, I thought that perhaps someone here could assist me on the cartridge choice.

Many thanks in advance for your input -- I greatly appreciate any advice or suggestions.
west99

Showing 1 response by simon74

I use a Syrah with an Oracle/Syrinx/zyx airy and a Linn Sondek/Kuzma arm and Koetsu Black.
Both work well but I prefer the healthier output of the Koetsu with the Syrah.
I have used Benz Micro Glider L2s which sound fine with the Syrah.
The Benz ace (medium output 0.8mV)might be a good choice with the Rega arm, just above your budget but a lot of cartridge for the money.