Do you have the manual for your table? If not go to :
http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable-database.php The site requires you register, don't worry it's free.
Check the owners manual for the max weight recommended for your table/arm combination. Then do some reading for new and vintage and report back. Others will chime in with specific recommendations, of course more info on you music preferences and the condition of your albums.
I have a couple of HK/Rabco ST-7's and one ST-8 along with (8) arm/wand cartridge bodies.
New school:
(2) Shure M97xE. One mounted and one new in the box. I do like the Shure sound. On my rigs it plays everything with out complaints, very listenable set up for extended play, non fatiguing. Smooth overall sound, and yes the upper most register is slightly softer, but hey sometimes you need that from listening to edgier combinations.
Vintage/Old school:
(1) Shure V-15IV with an original VN45 needle, and a couple of EVG elliptical. A classic! Everybody should own one!
A couple of Sonic Research cartridges: Sonus Gold/Blue, Silver Blue. I found a couple of NOS Sonus P and E needles and treated the rubber with a restorer, tested after treatments, the compliance is restored and all work exceptionally well. The Sonus were all very highly praised and "high compliance" meant for very light tone arms.
Some Empire's: (1) 2000 E/III (2) NOS working needles, and a bunch of EVG and Astactic's. (1) 4000 D/1 with (4) Jico Stylus.
(1) Stanton 681EEE with Stereohedron stylus and a bunch of after market EVG and Pfansteihl 4822DEE. Search out 680/681 in the forums you find plenty of info for replacement recommendations.
(1) Audiotecnica AT15EX: mounted with an an aftermarket Pfanstiehl .002 x .007 plays very well. Unexpectedly smooth! (1) AT12SA in storage.
(1) Ortofon OM10. Discontinued but still available new for very reasonably. Surprisingly a very well suited cartridge for my arm/wands. One I think you would be advised to try also by others. You can work your way up the line by simply upgrading the stylus to a 20, 30, or 40 as you budget allows.
(1) Panasonic EPC-U25 : a standard 1/2 mount version of a P-Mount. Works really well with my setup, light tracker and needles are available from EVG and Pfansiehl, as well as others from conical to SAS. It took me a while to find one on Ebay, mine came from Europe as did most peoples.
I am sure you'll get plenty of recommendations from readers. Bookmark/follow the post and check back to see what others say.
