suitable replacement cartridge

butcherevans

butcherevans

Member
Hi I am looking to get a new cartridge for my Micro Seiki MR711 TT. I have an ortofon 2m red now on it but problem is it doesnt fit into the original headshell as it is too wide and the headshell has sides that are folded over. I was really wanting to go 2m black but not with the $20 headshell. the original cart was m7000e or something mass of 5g and eliptical stylus. So if not 2m black or moving coil what is suitable at same mass and price range of the 2m black or less of course thanks for any input. Will try to post pic of tt from phone soon.
 
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If you really want to use the Ortofon Black then get a headshell that will accommodate. The ones like Technics use that are flat without that folding down on the sides will work fine on your arm. Only disadvantage, it say "Technics" instead of "Micro".
 
the LPGear Zupreme headshell is just what you want:

http://www.lpgear.com/product/LPGZHEAD.html

probably made by jelco, it has the same retaining pin arrangement as the sumiko HS12 that IS made by jelco. also in common with the sumiko is the fine machine work, azimuth adjustment, and Litz headshell wiring as well as hex head screw hardware for ease of use.

https://www.musicdirect.com/store/sumiko-hs-12-universal-replacement-headshell-wtools

the 2m black would be great, the quintet black is a MC cart that will sound better but requires either a step up transformer or mc preamp. look online , search only phono preamp. numerous affordable choices will come up.
 
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You might look at a similarly priced Nagaoka MP-500, Grado Prestige Gold, Audio Technica AT150MLX, etc. to move up the MM chain a bit. That AT, in fact, will completely out-track that 2m black (I owned it briefly...big mistake). Even the AT440ML (or whatever it is called these days) is a good move upward at a relatively affordable price. There are also some high-output moving coil cartridges in a similar price range, but for those you have to keep in mind that the stylus is not user-replaceable.
 
When I was shopping for a higher shelf MM cartridge it came down to the Ortofon Black and the AT150ML. There was no way to audition the two side by side but the reviews and user reports here and on VE seemed to point that the AT was the better of the two and the price was considerably less so I chose the AT and I am very pleased with it. I would highly recommend it to anyone. And now @Wildcat added his recommendations for it too as being more capable than the Black and he has compared both. I'd say you can't lose if you choose the AT.
 
Big fan of Grado Gold1 here. I have a couple of them on different turntables.
I listen to jazz, classical and classic rock and to my ears all genre's sound awesome.
 
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I forgot to mention for one of my turntables with interchangeable headshells I have two identical headshells with a Grado Gold1 and Blue1 mounted on each headshell. Easy change without adjusting tonearm settings. I use the Blue1 for used records that are untested yet.
 
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