Need some Cart recommendations, $300 - $700 (New/Used) range…warm, full, yet great def.

Regardless of what I pick….I’m learning a lot from this thread…unfortunately lots more options than I dreamed…I am researching them all.

Elliottb, boothroyd, I know this is pushing it…but any idea how the at33 sounds compared to the Denon 103R? Anyone?

Thanks for the responses, guys!

Kenny…wow those are interesting…will def look into.

Audioguy…sorry…my op wasn’t as clear as It should have been…very happy with the Hana through my Ps audio stellar…so don’t need an SUT.  Def some good suggestions though…thanks!

Wow this has been an awesome experience…reminds me of how agon used to be….a community which gladly offer help and insight.  As mentioned before, I will investigate all suggestions.

Thanks to everyone…sometimes for me, the research is half the fun!

@bdgregory @noromance , others

Wow…did some research on the “Decca” carts…definitely something I’m interested In trying at some point….however, I basically have the turntable they warn against…. Although awesome….my table is sometimes referred to as “the poorman’s LINN….” They specifically caution against the LP12 (and other similarly suspended designs) in reviews…apparently the resonance frequency of the table/suspension can conflict with the cart. The arm may be a little light too.

I don’t know whether to be happy or sad….as the line of carts is not cheap.

Update…looking at table/arm specs:

recommended cart weight= 3 to 10 grams

recommended stylus pressure = 0-3 g

theres no effective mass or the like listed.

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions.  
 

re. Dynavector 20x…yes tried that one….liked it but didn’t love it (been a while, but ifI recall…it may have been pleasant but didn’t grab me)it wasn’t until I got the Cheap Shelter that I knew I was onto something I really liked. Then the Hana SL …and here we are.

ohh…and unfortunately I have to admit…unfortunately, this whole SUT thing does sound VERY interesting….however, after my budget…I’d still have only one cart.

 Tried to find more mass info for my tonearm…having difficulty.  Makes me kinda fear going Down the Grado path (I’m going to try to post a picture link or update my profile with my tonearm…I think it’s an early Jelco…configured specifically for the table…seems medium mass at best.  Maybe some can I’d it..etc.   I don’t usually worry about such things  (frankly, I think we throw pennies around like manhole covers when it comes to vinyl) but do want to ensure within spec for my arm…for best results.

Re. Grado…any thoughts on the Sonata 3 vs. platinum 3 …I think retail is $600/$400 respectively? 

Lots of good stuff here…scratch the Grado question…my motor location may not be great for MI after all.

The Denon 103R keeps coming up…hmmm…attractive pricing too.

Thanks boothroyd…tried to pm you…but may have been blocked due to my overuse of ellipses!

@bdgregory Ineresting…if inclined….what did you like about the glider and London Decca better than the 103?

Thanks to everyone….definitely continue to contribute to help others…but I have more than enough to proceed. It may be a few months before I get something…probably in the form of the proverbial “anniversary/birthday” present.

I’ll report back this thread…

gonna reread the whole thread and all suggestions carefully….but some takeaways so far.

*honestly didn’t understand that having a competent phono pre-amp did NOT preclude an SUT (this, as they say, is bittersweet…love that I learned something and that there are some other avenues to “tune” phono sound… the bitter side: that solution adds extra pieces of equipment, adds extra cost and increases permutations for me to obsess over 🤪

*confirmed that the Grado stuff can definitely be very nice…but may not be a good match for my table/arm

*omg-so interested in experimenting with the “decca” carts..if I had the money/table I’d dive in tomorrow (maybe some day though)

*really like what I’m hearing about the Nagaokas, D103 and the Benz carts …Shelters still in the picture too.