Littlejohnp
New Member
OK y’all you have $200 to spend on a cartridge it’s going to be going into a Macintosh C 26 preamp what are you buy?
mc vs mm ??
mc vs mm ??
Budget cartridge
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MM:
I've tried examples of these and would look at:
Nagaoka
Something in the Vessel line from LP Gear
Or an AT 95ml
The Nagaoka was very smooth but these days it's not quite the bargain it used to be. I had the mp-110 and was impressed with it.
The Vessel I have is more than $200, but if there's a "house sound" I'd expect other cartridges in the line to be nicely balanced like the one I have.
The AT gets a lot of attention. I think it's ok, but not extraordinary. Maybe it's the loading - some folks say the cartridge works best if total capacitance is under 200 pf. I'm a bit over that, so maybe that's why it sounds plain in my system.
I've tried examples of these and would look at:
Nagaoka
Something in the Vessel line from LP Gear
Or an AT 95ml
The Nagaoka was very smooth but these days it's not quite the bargain it used to be. I had the mp-110 and was impressed with it.
The Vessel I have is more than $200, but if there's a "house sound" I'd expect other cartridges in the line to be nicely balanced like the one I have.
The AT gets a lot of attention. I think it's ok, but not extraordinary. Maybe it's the loading - some folks say the cartridge works best if total capacitance is under 200 pf. I'm a bit over that, so maybe that's why it sounds plain in my system.
Stereodiver
Well-Known Member
I’d vote for the AT- VM95sh. Mostly cause I own one and am very impressed by what $200 can do.
Good Luck! Mark
Good Luck! Mark
are there any $200 MC cartridges
Don't know the table but I would up the budget for a Denon DL301 MKII, retail $399, I've seen them on eBay for as low as $249 but that's rare, a bit more regularly at $299.
Don't know the table but I would up the budget for a Denon DL301 MKII, retail $399, I've seen them on eBay for as low as $249 but that's rare, a bit more regularly at $299.
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Littlejohnp
New Member
I listen to vintage rock and the turntables of pioneer PL 1000
The only MC you could use would be a high output MC. That is, unless you have a step-up transformer. Not many MCs (new or used) in your price range.
If you want to go vintage, you could get a Stanton 681 or Pickering XV-15 with an NOS or aftermarket stylus.
If you want to go vintage, you could get a Stanton 681 or Pickering XV-15 with an NOS or aftermarket stylus.
Try the VM95 with the ML or SH stylus and you'll really be shocked! I'm running one now with VNM95SH on my Well Tempered Classic, and I'm stupified at how good it sounds. It's a bit of a bear to set-up as VTA, VTF and Azimuth (and bias) all are critical on the SH stylus, but man is it worth the effort! I also have the VNMC stylus (conical) and its better than I expected but short of the performance with the nude SH stylus. The nude Elliptical stylus (VMN-EN) is more affordable and should be pretty close???? The SH extracts so much more detail, upper and lower frequency extremes, bigger soundstage, better image specificity - and vocals are so much smoother - I was dumbfounded. The VM 95 is a bit less dynamic than my 681EEE-S or my Monster Alpha-2, but not glaringly so. Top to bottom frequency balance and overall musicality and "ease of listening" are outstanding for a sub $200 cartridge.
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Lavane
Lunatic Member
Nagaoka MP-110, Shure M95ED, and AT95's are all good. I have the Nagaoka mounted on one deck at the moment. I bought one of the $11 AT 3600L's with the elliptical stylus on a carbon fiber cantilever from LP Gear for around $48 mounted on a headshell.
The $11 version comes with a conical stylus. There is a long thread about these nice sounding budget cartridges in the TT forum.
The $11 version comes with a conical stylus. There is a long thread about these nice sounding budget cartridges in the TT forum.
Yes, if I'm not mistaken the C26 only has an MM phono input.
You are not mistaken.
I second the AT-3600L. I've used two or three for customers repairs. The quality of sound with the .6 mil
stylus belies the ridiculous price of $17 shipped. I demo all repairs and my customers love the presentation
of this cartridge. Body is the same as the AT-91,AT91R and the CN5625AL. Many different options with
this cartridge.
stylus belies the ridiculous price of $17 shipped. I demo all repairs and my customers love the presentation
of this cartridge. Body is the same as the AT-91,AT91R and the CN5625AL. Many different options with
this cartridge.
goodolpg
Just an old fart trying to help.
are there any $200 MC cartridges
Don't know the table but I would up the budget for a Denon DL301 MKII, retail $399, I've seen them on eBay for as low as $249 but that's rare, a bit more regularly at $299.
View attachment 2226219
That's what I was thinking.
I thought MC cartridges started at a few hundred dollars. $200 new is a pipe dream. Used, well maybe?
Lavane
Lunatic Member
I recently bought the conical stylus for my 3600L. Either stylus sounds good on it. The elliptical with the carbon fiber cantilever LP Gear and AT came up with for it sounds just a bit darker to my ears. It's very smooth sounding though. These cartridges were installed on a lot of decks back in the day, just like the Shure M91's and M75's. I found it to be a pretty good cartridge for rock music. Price isn't everything.
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