Denon DP 23f cartridge recommendations?
- Thread starter mibag6
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$100
benricci
Super Member
OK, for $100 there just aren't that many options. So picking one should be easy.
You're essentially looking at Audio-Technica's VM95 conical and elliptical carts, the Grado Black, low-end Ortofons like the 2M Red and the Sumiko Oyster.
Can't think of anything else, really, that still retails under $100 these days...
Of those choices, you can't go wrong with the ATVM95e on that tonearm. It's a great, all-around budget cartridge that tracks really well in just about any situation.
You're essentially looking at Audio-Technica's VM95 conical and elliptical carts, the Grado Black, low-end Ortofons like the 2M Red and the Sumiko Oyster.
Can't think of anything else, really, that still retails under $100 these days...
Of those choices, you can't go wrong with the ATVM95e on that tonearm. It's a great, all-around budget cartridge that tracks really well in just about any situation.
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benricci
Super Member
It's probably just that there are so few things to recommend (new under $100 is a very limited category nowadays) so other than the 4 or so carts mentioned above, there really isn't much else to discuss.
I took a look but it's actually a $50 difference. Still worth it?
benricci
Super Member
They are both elliptical and feature the same radius, so you're not really going to hear a HUGE night and day audio difference between the bonded and nude versions. Otherwise they are essentially the same. If your budget is truly $100, you won't be missing much going with the E vs the EN. Some *claim* the EN might track a little better, but it's hard to really quantify that.
That said, if you CAN stretch the budget a little more, I'd recommend the ML version of their VM95 cartridge. That microline stylus is the best bang-for-buck going today. It virtually kills all inner groove distortion and sibilance, and it tracks phenomenally well for the price.
The good thing about the VM95 lineup is the cartridge body itself is the same for all models, so if you get the E now, you can always put an ML stylus on it later on, if you want to upgrade.
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KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
I'd recommend a Grado Black on this turntable's tonearm, or an Ortofon OM-10.
Well, you had asked about the Denon 23F in particular, a turntable that I've never used, and maybe one many here have no experience with.
The current production cartridges under $100 I could find are:
AT-VM95C
AT-VM95E
Sumiko Oyster
Sumiko Black Pearl
Grado Black3
Goldring E1 (possibly just a temporary price reduction to $99)
Ortofon OM 5S
Ortofon OM 5E
Ortofon Super OM 5E
Ortofon 2M Red
Rega Carbon
Music Hall Melody
I've owned six of those and had some audition time with two others. The most satisfying to me is the Sumiko Oyster, but while it sounded great on a Rega RP3 and AT-LP120XUSB, it did not fare so well on a Denon DP-300F. If I were buying a cartridge for that turntable, I'd be inclined to go with a Rega Carbon, but this is just my best guess. For a few years, I would likely try a different cartridge each time I wore out a stylus, just to see what different options sound like.
Well, that's quite a list. The cartridge is going on a table that is about 1400 miles from me, it's my son's and his wife has expressed an interest in playing some LPs
I don't think she'll go down the road of regular upgrades or cartridge rolling but time will tell. She is a violinist and likely has a good ear but my experience with lesser musicians is that they are not always terribly concerned with audophile quality reproduction. I suspect that, between the 2 of them, they will see if they are happy with the sound and proceed from there.
Timothy Flath
Well-Known Member
You cannot just use any 1/2 inch cart because there is a very fine height tolerance with this table - arm height is not adjustable.
it's interesting...which carts you are not recommending for this turntable?
