Cart and mat suggestions for Pioneer PL-200

[ET16]

I picked up a Pioneer PL-200 today for my daughter. Not the greatest table, but looks okay for a starter. It needs a mat and a stylus, at least (for a Pioneer PC135 cartridge). A felt mat is about $15 on ebay, as is a stylus. I'm fine with putting $30 into the table, but would I do better spending a little more on a better cartridge or mat?

Thanks!

 

[tubewade]

It is actually a quite nice table. The original stylus was a 0.5 mil conical. All of the replacements I've seen for that cartridge are aftermarket so quality could come in to question. I ran my PL-200 for many years with a Shure M75EJ and was quite happy with it. If I were buying new today I would purchase the Audio Technica AT95E. It is an excellent budget cartridge and matched pretty well to the arm mass.

As for the mat, I don't know what to suggest. Someone else can hopefully offer advice in that area.

Best regards.

 

[Balifly]

Sleeve city has a pretty nice mat for a reasonable price.

50hz
http://www.sleevecityusa.com/Anti-Static-Turntable-Mat-with-Strobe-Pattern-p/dm-200.htm

60hz
http://www.sleevecityusa.com/Anti-Static-Turntable-Mat-with-Strobe-Pattern-60-p/dm-300.htm