With a $500 budget I would look closely at the new Audio Technica OC9 family of cartridges. I believe there are four variants available, and they range from the mid $200s up to the $700s. Looks like the OC9XML would fit in your budget as it sells for $549 and gets you a boron cantilever and a microlinear line contact diamond. Audio Technica has a long history with this cartridge and has refined it over the years. One of the better values in audio, and a solid choice at your price point.
Which cartridge for Graham 2.2 arm?
Just scored a Graham 2.0 factory upgraded to 2.2 with bearing cap and ceramic wand.
Conventional wisdom says that at 11 grams effective mass it would best be paired with a high-compliance cartridge, something on the order of 18uN/mm or higher?
Poking around on-line I see static AND active compliance listed for some carts; hoo boy a new variable...
Budget is not unlimited, say around $500 and I have no problem with used, in fact most of my stuff is.
Any Graham owners want to weigh in? Any one at all want to weigh in?
Associated equipment: Bix turntable, bel canto Pre-2P, Wyred 4 Sound amplifier, Wilson Audio Duettes
Conventional wisdom says that at 11 grams effective mass it would best be paired with a high-compliance cartridge, something on the order of 18uN/mm or higher?
Poking around on-line I see static AND active compliance listed for some carts; hoo boy a new variable...
Budget is not unlimited, say around $500 and I have no problem with used, in fact most of my stuff is.
Any Graham owners want to weigh in? Any one at all want to weigh in?
Associated equipment: Bix turntable, bel canto Pre-2P, Wyred 4 Sound amplifier, Wilson Audio Duettes