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Turntable Cart

Binski99

Binski99

Active Member
I have a Pioneer PL-12D turntable and I am thinking about getting either a Shure M97XE or a Grado Black. I listen to mainly rock and what something with a lot of bass and Crisp Highs. Which would be the best cart for this I don't want to spend more than $65
 
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the PL12D & AT95E is a actually a decent sounding combination...and alot more user friendly that the majority of entry level turntables costing a fair bit more...the sound quality is more than good enough to compete with a project debut and i doubt if hum will be a problem either...
 
So let me get this strait the AT-95e is a better cart than the Shure M97xe and a Grado Black? It just seems like everything I read is saying the Shure is a really good cart. Right now it is on sale on amazon.com for $61.
 
'better' is generally subjective within any given price range... but at the ultra affordable end of the market..it has been consistently well reviewed for over 20 years... linn even fitted a cheaper clone using a spherical tip as a give away cartridge with some of their turntables a while back...they had no worries about its performance embarrasing their turntables..despite its low cost..

apparently the more expensive linn k5 (now discontinued) is no better than an at95e..and some have used the at95e stylus as a workaround replacement as it fits into the k5 body in the right places despite being a slightly different profile at the front..

in the right 'entry level' to 'mid level' performance deck...its one of the cheapest ways to get a decent sound before you catch the upgrade bug...and given the newer tip profiles now available...the next upgrade path is relatively simple...although the basic sound of the cartridge is more than good enough in a pioneer pl12d..
 
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Binski99 said:
So let me get this strait the AT-95e is a better cart than the Shure M97xe and a Grado Black? It just seems like everything I read is saying the Shure is a really good cart. Right now it is on sale on amazon.com for $61.
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It's pretty much that price there all the time. As melofelo suggested, the AT95E is consistently praised as an entry level elliptical, and lpgear sells fancier styli for it so the upgrades are there for down the road if you like the sound. In addition, it is a good match for the s-arm on the Pioneer.

The Shure and Grado are also good cartridges, but they are loved by some and hated by others. The Shure will be an good tracker especially using the brush, and has an "easy on the ears" sound. The Grado has a lush sound, but will lack detail, and tracking is not it's strong point.
 
Which cart would give me a louder bottom end? I currently have an audio technica AT92E which does not give me much.
 
hakaplan said:
I agree. AT-95E. :thmbsp:
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Yes. What is also great is if you can obtain the AT-95E locally.

But I am running an Ortofon OM10.

The Shure M97xE concentrates in the middle frequencies. However, you would have to go through customer service when you earn a lemon stylus.

The Audio-Technica AT-95E may not have the famous charm as the Grado or Shure, but the sound is satisfying at a lower price.
 
Well I think this weekend I will order an AT95E.
Anything will be better than what I have on my TT now because I bent the cantilever on my current cart.
 
If memory serves, the PL-12D has an AC synchronous motor. The Grado Black might hum in that turntable, so I'd recommend checking the Grado hum database before choosing that cartridge.
 
There are a surprising number of cartridges out there in this price range. Many more than when I was selling in the late 60s to late 70s. I had a midrange Grado for over 14 years, clean LPs and never wore the stylus out.

I vote for the Grado. But it is your stereo, get what appeals to you.
 
Flammaster said:
yea i was thinking about getting an AT 120.

I still want a Nagaoka MP11 though so I might just get that.
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If you can spring for an Nagaoka MP-11 you should. I think it's a great cartridge for the money that will give you more bottom than the shure and cleaner highs than the Grado. It will also be a great match for your arm. I had a Grado Black for a while and the MP-11 was in my opinion much cleaner sounding with more extended defined low end.


LPGear has them for a reasonable price now.
 
Which cart would give me a louder bottom end?
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between the standard 95e and at110e the former has a more robust bass the latter a more refined treble... but both are good sounding either way

..for pop and rock and beat driven music i prefer the sound of the 95e..for subtler stuff classical and intircate jazz the at110e digs out a little bit more ambience and leading edge detail in the mix..

the difference is more one of style of presentation though than any huge performance difference..

the suspension of the at110e is slightly softer though so mechanically i'd give the nod to the at95e of the two to begin with..

if funds allow..i'd buy both and stash the at110e away until you get another headshell...or another turntable... it really is a sweet sounding budget cartridge and more than capable of mating with better arms like the rega rb250 and rb 300 :scratch2:
 
I decided to order an AT95e.

Man Im glad this forum is unblocked at my school. It gives me something to do in studyhall. :D
 
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