Very interesting. I'll see how I like what I've got when I allow it to break in. What would be the benefit of replacing the stylus with an identical one?
The key phrase in my earlier reply was "when it wears out." The benefit is getting a fresh stylus that will play properly and not damage your records. I'm currently using an M97xE and have been replacing the stylus every 9 months (I play records for multiple hours every day; my friend uses his less and can get two years out of a stylus). Shure has now discontinued it, so sometime between now and October, when my stylus will be due for replacement, I'll be choosing a different cartridge to mount up. I'm thinking about an entry-level conical like the Sumiko Oyster.
I edited my previous post because I realized I was assuming your Magic 2 body could accept regular Ortofon OM styli, but that's something to check on if you decide to try something other than a Music Hall Magic 2 replacement stylus--after it wears out, of course!
Right on, I completely missed that. Makes sense. I was considering, before I bought the TT, a Nagaoka MP-110, but I think for now I'll see where the OM's upgrade path takes me. The 2m Blue is pretty attractive as well but way out of my price range
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Awesome, man. Sorry I'm late to the party, dehos. I just went through the same thing you did buying your tt. I labored over it.
My journey went as follows; I started shopping for a tt, and set my sights on the rega p1. I researched and researched (forums, youtube, retailers, tea leaves, I scoured everything), then finally settled on an older tt (popular advice in forums). But that opened up a whole can of worms... Like; "what model? Will it require maintenance? Upgrades? Will the ebay gods be good to me this time?". It was around this time I figured that sometimes, most of the time, people in forums will suggest buying what they have. So I moved my sights back to Rega, but now the p3 model. And when you up your game from the p1 to the p3, the only logical thing to do is go for the p6. So I waited for a few weeks to save up for the p6. I soon realized I was falling too deep into that hi-fi abyss that usually gets us into debt. So after even more research, I decided the p1 was the smartest option. I chose the Rega over others for a few reasons, but mostly because I did not want to deal with the as string (not recm'd for a klutz like me), and I was very impressed with Rega after seeing the factory tour with Fremer. So I now have the Rega p1, and I am very happy with it. Honestly, I'm just not ready for a $1500+ tt. And I already upgraded my p1 using the Rega performance kit. I also plan on upgrading to $1500+ in a year or two (probably the rega p8 - it's a piece of art). The funny thing about analog tt is that it marries together form and function perfectly. Buying a tt for me was NOT just about quality and specs, it was also choosing a piece of art. It has to be aesthetically pleasing, certainly at these prices. The art in designing tt's has seemed to upstage the tech. The value in high priced tt is the parts, many custom-made to spec. I believe it was Guttenberg who claims tt technology has reached an apex, compared to the outdated and stagnant technology of microphones.
With your journey, you made a great choice dehos. The 2.2 is on sale right now, similar to the older Rega RP- models. You're young, too young to be spending your money on over-stuffed tt's. Save the heavy lifting for your mid-life crisis. The 2.2 is a fine looking machine. Music Hall has that Ferrari red option (actually a pretty darn good idea). I wish the Rega had the Ferrari option. If I were to scold you on anything, it would be that you bought it too soon. You should have waited until August, then had your new tt delivered to you at your dorm. Think chick-magnet, dude.
New advice for you: Buy a Schiit Mani. You will see a remarkable difference in sound quality compared to your receiver's built-in amp currently being used. You have 2018 technology and parts feeding into 50 year old capacitors. Your new tt and your new cartridge deserve a modern phono preamp. Upgrading your cart before you upgrade your phono stage is exactly like putting that same cart in front of a horse. Seriously. Phono preamp is the #1 necessity for you right now. Then and only then will you appreciate an updated cartridge. Schiit's Mani is probably one of the best bang for you buck deals in all of analog right now.