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Under $1,000 Cartridge for Aries 2 Extended

I've got an Aries 2 Extended with the JMS 12.7 arm, currently mounted with a Denon DL 103. I'm interested in getting a more capable phono cartridge, either MC or MM that would cost less than $1,000 new or used. I listen to classic rock, male and female vocals, jazz and classical music. My primary speakers are B&W 801 F's driven by several different tube or solid state pre-amplifier and amplifier combinations. I'd like a cartridge that throws a large soundstage and has a warmth and vibrancy to the presentation of the music. Any suggestions?
acrosonic
10 responses Add your response
davt's avatar
davt
500 posts
 
A lot would depend on your phono pre-amp. If you can handle the output two I recommend very highly are the shelter 501 MkII and the dynavectore 17d3
griffithds
852 posts
 
Get a Clearaudio Vertuoso Wood. Read the reviews. I have 2 arms for my Graham. The other one has a Micro Benz Ruby 3 mounted. The Vertuoso Wood spends 90% of the time in play on my Aries. It sound quite similar to the Ruby but it is more dianamic.
acrosonic OP
4 posts
 
Davt: My preamps (Rogue 99 Magnum with high gain phono, Van Alstine w/step-up transformer and the venerable Carver C 4000t) can all handle cartridges with output in the 0.25mv range. Your recommendations sound good to me.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Why waste money. Try a Shure 97. I know, at $50 it cannot be great, but try it. It would make a great backup cartridge and will surprise you. Hey I have a Clearaudio $1800 running on an Aries, and the 97 gives it a run for the money.
acrosonic OP
4 posts
 
Griffithds: I'll check out the Clearaudio Vertuoso Wood.

Buconero117: I mounted a Shure V15Mx, but it had a bad hum pickup problem that I couldn't remedy even though I thought that I had everything grounded. I've got a Shure HiTrack lying around that I could mount to see how it performs.
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
Large soundstage, warmth, and vibrant, and under $1,000; I don't think you can
find one better than the Denon DL-103(R) that you are using. Other more
expensive carts will give you different sounds but they may not be "better",
IMHO.
nolitan
865 posts
 
If you can extend your budget to about $1500, the Lyra Delos would be a super cart!!
For under $1000, the Shelter 501 MKII would be top picks.
However, the difference between the lyra & the 501 is quite significant.
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
I had that table with the SMF and SDS and found the Denon 304 very good, better than the 103 which I was also using. Denon has an even better cartridge in the 8 to 9 hundred $ range I haven't tried.
acrosonic OP
4 posts
 
Sidssp: I've got a DL-103, but I was thinking about moving up to the 103(R), as I like the 103 "sound".

Stanwal: I was hoping to hear from someone with a Denon 304; it's another of the Denon's that's within my price range.
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
FYI, a good place to buy DL-103R is amazon.com. One of its sellers, Yogi Computers, is selling it for $260 with free shipping. I bought one from it a few months ago. Highly recommended.
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