[dlaloum]

Depending on whether you have a Mac in your system, a pro-audio interface with Pure Vinyl providing the RIAA eq, can be a nice cost effective system.

I have a Focusrite Saffire interface that I have been using with an Ortofon HMC30 cartridge, that I have been pretty happy with.

I'll second that as a valid option...
For PC you can use Diamond Cut software...
Or there are several VSTplugin modules available which do RIAA

I use a PC with e-MU 1616m - the microphone inputs work fine - all that needs adjusting is the loading, which can be achiever with a parallel resistance.

[SET Man]

That's what I was thinking. For the price of a new LOMC cartridge plus a step up device, you have to at least consider a high output MC.

Hey!

    The only down side of this is that your choices will be somewhat limited. But it is sure less complicated.

    Still I feel that if you already have a good MM phono pre than a good step-up transformer especially one with gain and loading options is a way to go in the long run I think.

Take care,
Buddy

[DaveyW]

That's what I was thinking. For the price of a new LOMC cartridge plus a step up device, you have to at least consider a high output MC.

Chipping in on this point.

With optimised resistive loading (Hi @ 1k ohms), I found it very, very difficult to tell the High and Low output versions of the Dynavector DV 20X apart.

It's a great cart too!

[vortrex]

jolida JD9A without a doubt.

[midfi]

jolida JD9A without a doubt.

I really like mine...