New SL1210GR enroute. Need cart recommendations


I'm getting ready to send my Fluance RT85 back. It has the Ortofon 2M Blue. I've been using their preamp but I have a Vincent PHO-300 on the way. Amp is a Willsenton R8. Speakers are Joseph Audio RM25XL.

What should I be looking at for a cartridge? Who or where should I be looking as a vendor?

I don't listen to Rap or Classical but everything else is on the table. I'm sending the Fluance back because I had a new album (Amos Lee 45 master from Acoustic Sounds) with sibilance on two tracks. As I read about the possible causes of sibilance, it led to to different tables. The 1210GR seemed to be well regarded.

Thanks for any help. 

mooster1223

Showing 5 responses by mooster1223

I couldn't find the nightclub mkii in stock so I settled for a goldring E3 until my other "high dollar cart" arrives. I received the new turntable on Monday. I like it. I received a replacement album for the one with sibilance. It's still there with this cart. At this time, I presume it's a pressing issue although, this is the first cart I've set up...

@arcticdeth the carts you’re reccomending are coming up as DJ carts. They look strange with a long nose. Are they meant to be mounted to the headshell?

@knotscott I’ll check it out. I’ve never heard of CDJapan.

Before I looked up those just mentioned, I was going to say, up to $700 or so. Those mentioned are less than $200.

Why are the Ortofon M line so expensive?

I wasn't expecting to see any love for anything under $1000, let alone under $100.

Now I'm worried that sending back the Fluance with the 2M Blue is going to be a mistake...

@knotscott I’m using Joseph Audio RM25XL’s. I just ordered the MP500. Came to $660 with shipping. Unfortunately, it’s on backorder CDJapan and won’t ship for 2-4 weeks. I guess I’ll have something to look forward to!

@arcticdeth I’m going to pick up one of your reccomended carts as well.

I’ve never set up a new cartridge. The 2M Blue came at up and just needed screwed onto the arm. What tools do you guys recommend that I pick up? I'd hate to screw something up... Also, any recommendations for a second headshell?

I finally received my Nagaoka MP500 from CDJapan. I ended up getting one already attached to a head shell. I haven’t tried it out yet. I’ve just ordered a new integrated amp, a Denon A110 that should be here within two weeks. I plan on using its internal phono stage and trying out the new cart when it arrives.