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Help with Cartridge choice

Fellow audiophiles, my first time posting here and I will appreciate your help in choosing the right cartridge as part of my broader journey to put together an end game system. My upgrade path may not be very logical because it is opportunistic.

I use an old Pro-Ject Perspective turntable from early 2000s with the 9" aluminium arm (not the carbon one). I will make a significant upgrade in next couple of years but thats what i have for now.

I recently bought a Zesto Andros II phono stage to match my Zesto Leto 1.2 pre.

For now I am trying to upgrade from my Ortofon Bronze (MM) cartridge to something finer. Based on my research I am considering Hana ML ($1200). I have to stay below $1500. I have never used a MC or LOMC and not very analog savvy, and will appreciate any and all recommendations. 

Thank you!

musicmatters1206
avanti1960
1,409 posts
 

Audio technica ART9 XI

~1300 but it beats and competes with $2000 cartridges.  look it up.  

tablejockey
3,793 posts
 

musicmatters1206-

If you can stretch your budget, there is a Rega P10, 2nd owner listed. That means bargaining power for you. Put a LOMC from the OC9/AT33 series on it, and you will have a significant upgrade without taking  on a second mortgage. 

I

jtsnead's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jtsnead
217 posts
 

@analoghaven I have been using the DS Audio 003 package for a couple months, I also own a Lyra Delos, Air Tight PC-7, AT ART9XA, Ortofon LVB250, Grace F9E, used to have Ortofon A95 and the 003 beats them all as it should at 6K with the equalizer that comes with it. If you want true to the source without any coloration this is the cartridge to get. Look up my FB group

bubba12's avatar
bubba12
429 posts
 

Save up and get a turntable first. Some of your description leads me to believe its not great. I would rather have a few hundred dollar cartridge on a good turntable.

johnto
978 posts
 

You may want to consider a gently used cartridge as your money will go twice as far.

Don't overlook Soundsmith cartridge's they provide everything you want and have a great retipping program. I picked up a Carmen and that ended my search.

Good luck.

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