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Rega P25 cartridge upgrade

Hi all, 

I would appreciate your advice and opinions regarding a cartridge upgrade for my Rega P25.

My current system:
- Rega P25 with Grado Prestige Gold.
- Marantz PM6004 
- Neat Iota speakers (http://neatacoustics.com/iota/)

I listen to a broad range of music from electronic to jazz to rock.

The Grado Gold came with the Rega when I bought it used a few years back and unfortunately the stylus appears to have been bent during a recent house move (dont ask...). I thought it would therefore be a good time to upgrade the cartridge. 

I'm using the phono stage on the Marantz amp which is listed as only compatible with MM. Music is important to me and I'm keen for a great sound but dont think I've got time to get lost in exploring MCs and phono stages etc currently so feel like a good quality MM would be sufficient. Looking to spend £200-300 max.

A few potential options I've discovered:

- Ortofon 2M Black
- Goldring 1042.

Any thoughts or experience would be appreciated. 

Thanks

Thom
thomlocke

Showing 3 responses by chakster

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@vasaudio

I have a Grace F8C, new old stock one that I got from a Grace collector. Either never played them or he only demo-ed them. He was weird guy that just liked to look at the cartridges but I liked the guy for that. I think it would be better than the 2M Black, if you are interested.

Especially if you will buy the original Grace RS8 Ruby stylus from me :)

Another great cartridge would be Pickering XSV-3000 Stereohedron, honestly i think this is the best contender without breaking the bank @thomlocke
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
So what is special about that Rega cartridges, the Exact is $400-550 cartridge with more than 6mV output and Vital Diamond. I think all Rega cartridges made by Audio-Technica, because Rega is not a cartridge manufacturer at all. The price is crazy compared to some killer vintage MM in $200-400 range, with better cantilevers, better diamonds, more conventional output for phono preamps. Why anyone need a 3 hole mounting if 2 holes are OK for decades ? 


chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@thomlocke Seriously look at the Stanton/Pickering line, it will be inpossible to find anything better at $300-400 range. Those vintage cartridges are extremely popular. Expert Stylus in UK still servicing them and easily can re-tip them with Paratrace stylus (very close to the original Stereohedron). Since the GBP exchange rate is low their service is not so expensive anymore. My friend @nandric is a big fan of Paratrace diamonds and Expert Stylus sevice even for his crazy expensive and rare LOMC cartridges. 

You can't go wrong with Stanton/Pickering line if you will ignore any models lower than 881 for Stanton and 3000 for Pickering. If you go with a higher number you will get simply amazing MM cartridges! 

To support my point of view (my favorite is Stanton SC-100 WOS) i always add this old TAS article, very interestign read HERE> 
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