Budget Phono Cartridge
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Sansui Louie
Curmudgeon
Under $40? Ouch. That's a tough order. AT-71, which is an Audio Technica AT-70 with an elliptical stylus.
hakaplan
Needs professional help
Am I correct in assuming that this is for the PL-15D? I agree with Louie on the AT-71E or if you can squeeze out another $5, the AT95E. Both at good prices at garage-a-records. Ortofon's high end carts are nice, but their entry level models are far from being universally loved.
hakaplan
Needs professional help
Yes, I went back and checked your posts. See my response above.
Stanton681EEES
Addicted Member
the-real-mandak
Super Member
I agree wit hakaplan, at that budget the AT95E is the one to take.
asoundhound
Definitely Low-fi
If I were you, I'd consider coughing up a few extra bucks. The cartridge is a very important determinate in your overall sound quality. For about $75 to $100 bucks, you can get a pretty good one.
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
Hi,
Under $40, you have a few decent choices that will work well. Try an Audio-Technica P-Mount with an adapter included. Their $30-40 models are very excellent and underrated. Stanton makes a P-Mount version of the 500 with elliptical stylus which tracks between 1 and 2 grams VTF. It's very nice sounding and kind on records.
Under $40, you have a few decent choices that will work well. Try an Audio-Technica P-Mount with an adapter included. Their $30-40 models are very excellent and underrated. Stanton makes a P-Mount version of the 500 with elliptical stylus which tracks between 1 and 2 grams VTF. It's very nice sounding and kind on records.
What do you guys think about the AT-92 ($30 at Garage-a-Records)?
Sansui Louie
Curmudgeon
For some reason, and it's probably totally unfounded, I stay away from P-mount only models from AT. Maybe it's because they were developed during the crappiest days of turntables - mid-80's, when all was cheap and plastic. I'd suggest either getting the AT71, the AT95 variants, or saving up for something better. Another 30 bucks gets you into an entirely different realm of choices. Another 50, and you have yourself an AT-440MLa, which is an extremely popular choice for the performance/value minded.
Quest
Active Member
Has anyone mentioned the Stanton 500E or L720EE? $35 will do either at kabusa.
http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/stantonhifi.htm
http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/stantonhifi.htm
Sansui Louie
Curmudgeon
Good call, Quest!
I too often forget about the 500 series. Nice cart.
I too often forget about the 500 series. Nice cart.
hakaplan
Needs professional help
Louie your objections are justified in this case, but unfounded in general.
From personal experience as well as others reports here, their p-mounts are quite decent, easily rivalling the other ATs mentioned. In fact the AT92E has a .3 x .7 stylus, compared to the .4 x .7 on the AT71E or AT95E. The only reason it's not preferable in this case is that the 71 and 95, having lower compliance, will likely mate better to the higher mass s-arm. Nevertheless, for someone with really limited funds, it's a perfectly viable solution. There's a guy selling the AT92E on ebay for $25 shipped--that's a killer deal.
melofelo
Addicted Member
the at110e and pioneer arm should mate well if the arm is similar to a pl115d...
the at95e sounds very good too..a little bit of blutack forward of the arm pivot can help add some mass if the arm is a bit on the light side for the 95e's compliance...both are excellent budget cartridges..
the at110e needs about 10-20 hours running in to sounds its best, but once run in it really is superb for the money
the at95e sounds very good too..a little bit of blutack forward of the arm pivot can help add some mass if the arm is a bit on the light side for the 95e's compliance...both are excellent budget cartridges..
the at110e needs about 10-20 hours running in to sounds its best, but once run in it really is superb for the money
Sansui Louie
Curmudgeon
Louie your objections are justified in this case, but unfounded in general.
Well, I figured it was mostly personal prejudice against anything 80's...
