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Best Budget Cartridge?

dbxdx5

dbxdx5

Super Member
I'd like to order a new cartridge for my Dual 510 tonight, but would love some guidance on two issues:

1. Is the Audio Technica AT120 E/T still considered the best budget cartridge for under $150? Anything else I should consider?

2. Is there anything special I need to know about setting the alignment on a Dual 510, or is it just a matter of using one of the protractors from vinylengine?

Thanks.
 
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What the best is also depends on your specific taste and matching equipment, but aside from that I think the AT120 sounds very nice for the asking price.

I used to use the included alignment jig with my 506-2 but later switched to using Baerwald alignment on the Dual with excellent results. You should need nothing special except for good light and magnification, just be careful with your new stylus.
 
I would definitely go up to $150 if the AT440MLa is worth it. How do this and the AT120 E/T compare to, say, the Ortofon 2M Red?
 
The low mass arm of the Dual would be a better match to the ATs which are higher in compliance (softer cantilever spring). I've heard both good and so-so about the 2M Red.

The biggest difference between the 120 and 440 is that the latter has the microline stylus that will extract more detail.
 
What do people have to think about the digitrac 200ne? Isnt it supposed to have the same diamond as the om30? Also if you get a non working cartridge you can modify the stylus easily to fit any om body.

Am i missing something here? Oh yes its only 20 dollars.
 
Digitrac 200 NE is fine (technically an OM 20 relative). The Audio-Technica AT 120 E/T is fine as is the AT 440MLa. Ortofon OM line is also a nice choice and the Stanton 681 EEE-S is also worthy.
 
quietcity said:
What do people have to think about the digitrac 200ne? Isnt it supposed to have the same diamond as the om30? Also if you get a non working cartridge you can modify the stylus easily to fit any om body.

Am i missing something here? Oh yes its only 20 dollars.
Click to expand...

Actually the Digitrac 200NE does not share the same stylus as the OM20 (never mind the OM30). The stylus do share in common a nude mounting, everything else about the shank shape size and cut of the diamond on the Ortofon is better and the differences are audible.

I own the Ortofon OM20, OM5E and Digitrac 200NE and I'll agree the Digitrac is a very good cartridge for the money $20 and better sounding than the OM5E, but IMO it probably bests the OM10 and compares favorably to the AT120e the OP mentioned.
 
My phono stage is a Musical Fidelity V-LPS.

Really curious to know if anyone has had experience with the Sumiko Pearl.
 
OK, I see your phono stage does not offer selectable loading, so I would stay away from the Shure line. They like impedance's more on the order of 65K or so. No experience with the Pearl.
 
After doing some more research, my concern with the Ortofons is that they may be too bright/sterile and potentially fatiguing for my taste. The Sumiko Pearl seems to be a little softer and warmer, though I've read that it isn't the best at soundstaging, which is also important to me. So now I've decided that I'll go up to $250 (before I stopped at $150) for a MM cartridge that comes closest to meeting all of these criteria:

1. Detailed
2. Slightly warm
3. Wide soundstage
4. Great top to bottom frequency response
5. Non fatiguing

As I said, the $250 cartridge that comes "closest"; I realize that nothing in this price range will be fantastic in all five areas. Also, for those just joining, it'll be going on a Dual 510 with a Musical Fidelity V-LPS phono stage.
 
I like Ortofon OM recommendation by melofelo and KentTeffeteller especially if your 510 is a bit lean on the bottom end like my 506-2 is. If you can find a good deal or stretch your budget the OM20 can be found for around $170 and sounds very nice.

Edit:
FWIW I don't find the OM20 to be bright or sterile at all, in fact just the opposite and not at all fatiguing. But now that you've upped your spending limit there may be other better choices.
 
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I have a AT120 E/T mounted on my 1228, but has not reached break in stage as of yet, but is transforming into a very good sounding cartridge for rock.. I purchased mine from Needle Doctors. Make sure you download the users manual for your 510 from vinylengine which will help you set up your turntable to its optimal settings. With your manual and your instruction booklet that comes with the cartridge you will not be second guessing settings. For a budget cartridge the AT120 is a good buy with acceptable results.
 
Howard, melofelo: "Low mass arm" is relative - the arm on the 510 has ca. 12 g...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
Have you thought about getting one of the Shure V15 range second hand and putting a JICO stylus on it? Lots of people have good things to say about them on here.
 
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