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. |
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. |
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. |
Many are compatible, better to get a few you are interested in, ask about specific ones. IMO, that TT is darn good (I've had 2), get a new AT Cartridge with advanced stylus shape, and a 2nd headshell, leave the original Elliptical in it's original headshell. This would be great on that TT. https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/type/moving-magnet/vm540ml-h |
