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Need recommendations for a Moving Coil Cart at various price points . . .

tubeboob

tubeboob

Super Member
I am looking to get a new Moving Coil Cart for my JVC QL-Y66F, and wanted some input from those of you with experience . . . at various price points . . . along with the reason(s) for the recommendations . . .

Up to $500.00

$501.00 to $750.00

$751 to $1,000.00

$1,000.00 to $1,500.00

Thanks in advance . . . :thmbsp::thmbsp::thmbsp:
 
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$750 range

tubeboob said:
I am looking to get a new Moving Coil Cart for my JVC QL-Y66F, and wanted some input from those of you with experience . . . at various price points . . . along with the reason(s) for the recommendations . . .

Up to $500.00

$501.00 to $750.00

$751 to $1,000.00

$1,000.00 to $1,500.00

Thanks in advance . . . :thmbsp::thmbsp::thmbsp:
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700 to 800 (you can get a deal - contact a dealer)
Clearaudio Concept MC Cart ..beautiful sounding..very detailed, rich, nice deep soundstage
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-40664-clearaudio-concept-mc-cartridge.aspx

The Shelter 501II - Now this is a cart - approx. $1000 on special...worth twice that - perfecting in sound

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-7509-shelter-501ii-mc-phono-cartridge.aspx
 
Bob_in_OKC said:
What sort of phono stage are we dealing with?
Click to expand...

Currently I am using one of two preamps:

Sanyo Plus Series P-55, and

Sherwood AP-7020 Preamp.

I am also in the market for a dedicated M/C phono stage as well, preferably one that is switchable between low output and high output.

Cheers
 
In the $751 to $1,000.00 range I would consider a Benz Micro Ace LO as it is the best cart I've ever had so far (I know that there are better and more expensive carts out there, but not at my reach as of today).

However, just keep in mind the cart matching to the specific tonearm of your TT. In the case of the Benz, it matches perfectly the Satisfy tonearm (a mid-mass arm) of my Clearaudio TT.
 
The AT 33EV is also a fine choice (as is the PTG variant with the boron cantilever and line-contact stylus) in the ~$500 range. I will second the recommendation for the Denon DL-S1 but add a word of caution. It's a very low output cart that is tricky to get good sound out of. I was never really happy with mine and ended up selling it. I could catch glimpses of greatness here and there and it provided the cleanest most detailed sound I have yet to hear from vinyl in my system. But the output was so low that a lot of noise came along with the resolution and it was always bright and bass-shy.

jblnut
 
Are we talking new or used?

I have a JVC QL-A75 and really like the Dynavector 17D2 and 23RS. In the low hour used range I would say:

Up to $500.00 - DV 23RS MKII

$501.00 to $750.00 - DV 17D2 MKII

$751 to $1,000.00 - DV 17D3 (I haven't heard one but would love to)

$1,000.00 to $1,500.00 - - DV XX2 MKII (I haven't heard one but would love to)

Sorry, but not much experience with any other MC carts.
 
dokblues said:
$500 I will second the Dynavector 10x5. Great cart for the money.
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I am not looking to start a fight in this thread but my Dyna 10x5 recently dropped the right channel. When inquiring about a replacement I was informed it would be August before a new shipment arrived. I didn't want to wait so I opted for a store credit and upgraded to the Ortofon 2M Black. The Ortofon crushes the Dyna in every way imaginable and it's not fully broken in yet. The top to bottom tonality is spot on and extremely cohesive. The sound-stage is deep and holographic, the imagining is completely free of blur, and vocalization is true and seems to float effortlessly in the forefront.

I know he has his heart set on a MC but the Ortofon Black is one hell of a great cartridge.
 
At the top end of your scale, I'd look at a Lyra Delos. Retail is $1,600 but you should be able to get it for less.
 
If you can find one, the SAE 1000 is a nice, high-output, relatively inexpensive entree into the MC world. They were available for $200 last year, not sure now.

However, I will second the recommendation of the AT33EV, which you can get for under $500. A wonderful LOMC cart, with a near perfect combination of detail and warmth, musicality and a big, open 3D soundstage. Though I don't have much experience with other MC carts in that price range, I think you would be hard pressed to find a better sounding cart for under $500.
 
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