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Cartridge recommendation please...

Jettisoned most of my record albums 20 years ago, but am considering a return to vinyl. I've dusted off my old but fully operational TT and would like to mount a new MM cartridge.

Equipment
Technics SL-1300 Direct Drive turntable
The TT would be mated to a Parasound 200 Pre, with a Parasound 2125v2 amp.
Speakers are PSB Silver i's, with an occasional switch to Vandersteen 1's for variety.
No current plan to add a separate phono preamp.

Sound
Jazz, classic soul/r&b, light rock is my preferred type of music.
I'm OK to trade some bass for better vocals and higher end clarity.
As my A'gon name suggests, I do not listen at elevated levels.

Technical/misc.
The SL-1300 currently has an equally old AudioTechnica cartridge (no obvious markings).
I'd like to target a cartridge in the $300 neighborhood.
Will get an additional headshell for whatever cartridge is purchased.
Any cautions for install, or brands to exclude?
If I've done it correctly, here's a link to the TT owners' manual.
https://usermanual.wiki/Document/technicssl1300OwnersManual.3287426015

I can certainly get recommendations from local retailers, though their choices would be for cartridge brands that they carry. My preference is to use the experience of... and hear from... the wider audience reading this post. Thanks much!
60decibels
60decibels OP
6 posts
 
To all: Feedback is much appreciated and plenty to chew on thus far.

re: coachpoconnor question... I had noted a MM cartridge only because of my $300 budget range. Certainly am open to other choices.

Vette5451
rushfan71
You both wrote that you had SL-1200’s... are they still equipped with the original tone arm or did you change?

Thanks to all!
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,248 posts
 
60decibels at $300 you best stick with MM or MI cartridges. There is simply much more value in them. High output MC cartridges have very high effective mass due to the large coils they have to use to get the output up. The resonance peak can fall into the upper audio range (very bright) and they do not track as well. MM and MC cartridges fall into different markets the MM buyers being much more frugal thus they are priced lower and you get more for your money. The Nagaoka MP 150 matches your tonearm perfectly and is a great performer. In order to surpass it with a MC cartridge you would have to spend $1000 on the cartridge plus you still need a high gain phono stage or step up transformer.
 A good example of the pricing disparity between MC and MM cartridges is the Clearaudio Charisma a MC cartridge that uses exactly the same stylus and cantilever as the Clearaudio Goldfinger. The Charisma costs $2K the Goldfinger $17K. 
lmnop
55 posts
 

No idea about current pricing but close to your budget; Audio Technica VM740 or Nagaoka MP200

If you decide to stretch your budget; Audio Technica VM760 or MoFi Mastertracker

Have experience with all of them using vintage Kenwood DD TT and newer Technics 1210GR. 


elliottbnewcombjr
5,249 posts
 
this is an excellent choice in your budget

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/type/moving-magnet/vm540ml

microline stylus cost more but last much longer, around 500 hours.

I am using the prior version vm440ml actively, and compare it to my Shure V15Vxmr with Jico SAS stylus. I like the Shure brush feature, however The Audio Technica has wider channel separation and tighter channel balance, both important factors involved with imaging.
elliottbnewcombjr
5,249 posts
 
chackster

It's now your fault that I probably will buy one of these,

however, the 3000 says 4.7mv signal, the 4000 says .7mv signal.

file:///C:/Users/ellio/Downloads/ve_pickering_xsv_4000_en.pdf   

Is that a typo? Makes me think of recent MC thread with too weak/too strong issue, looking for SUT with only 5 or 6 x factor.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/best-sut-for-van-den-hul-crimson-stradivarius-cartridge

................................

STYLUS LIFE: I now see what you are saying, however, I still have a hard time believing 1,000. hours.

The OEM instructions I got from Vinyl Engine:

file:///C:/Users/ellio/Downloads/ve_pickering_xsv-3000%20(1).pdf

said 'check' after EVERY 250-300 hours. I just skimmed it quickly, assumed 'replace after' when I saw the #'s which fit most other life expectancy charts.
.............................................

Stereohedron Shape

It's unique, but not a line-contact/shibata/sas/micro-linear correct? that's why I think of it as an 'advanced elliptical' although that doesn't sound 'special enough'.. I've never seen a true comparison, perhaps you know of one.

It has incredible 35db channel separation. I don't see a channel balance rating.




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