Phono cartridge


Which cartridges are compatible with Audio Technica LP1230. Is GRADO compatible
duggar
Almost any cart that tracks at 2 grams (mN) will work.  Beware lighter trackers, as they have higher compliance than that arm is good for.  Matching a cart mechanically is easy, but sonically, it depends on your musical preferences, accompanying electronics, speakers, etc.  I agree with Jr. that AT makes a good all-rounder.  While the Sumikos lack the advanced stylus specs (nudity, line contact), their generator is excellent and plenty of listeners love them for their "warmth" and excellent tracking.  Consider a Rainier as one of your options.  For a Grado, I'd look at the Opus 3 if budget allows.  It gets a lot of love.

I used the Grado Prestige Gold on a 1978 Technics SL1500 with excellent results. Scored a deal on a hardly used Benz Micro ACE and it was definitely too much cartridge for that table and, well, that forced an upgrade to a Rega P8 lol. Grado Prestige is definitely an excellent choice for your TT.

Happy listening.
Sometime I like playing games. Recently I put a $275 Grado Opus3 cartridge on a $15k turntable/arm with an equally good phono stage. I ask audiophile visitors how much they think the cartridge costs. So far guesses come in somewhere between $600 - $2k with one up to $3k.

With AnalogMagik, I can easily measure the differences between the Opus3 and Statement3 cartridge I also own. The surprise is that the difference in sound between the two is much less than the measurements would indicate.