[LeeH]

Ive gone off the idea at the moment of buying a MC cart, I nearly broke the MM cart that I have and I have an inquisitive 5 year old son.

There must be some decent MM carts on the market, i currently use a shure sc35c current issue NOT the original US version (would like one of them BTW must have MADE IN THE USA on it), so if anyone has any ideas then put them forward for me, budget would be £100 / $150

Ive tried the AT95Se BTW and found it poor to be honest, I like a balsy detailed sound with nice bass, my set up is an eastern electric M88 valve amp (KT 88) and a heavily modded EAR 834P phono stage (telefunken NOS ECC 83's)

Many thanks

Lee

[neobop]

Hi Lee,
I suspect you received no replies so far because it's a tough question and coming up with an answer is not easy. $150 doesn't give you many options. The 95SA is generally thought of as one of the better budget alternatives. You say performance was poor. Did you put some hrs on it to loosen it up? It's possible that your designating it a SE means you had a second rate stylus fitted. There might be a difference between the SA and SE, but this is a guess and I wouldn't recommend you get another stylus for it.

Other alternatives would include a used cart or an AT-440MLa. The 440 has excellent tracking and detail, but you might need a pair of 100K shunt resistors to get the right balance. I think the AT7V would give you the sound you're looking for, it's $129 at LpGear. Have you ever heard a Grado? They have some models in that price range, perhaps a Green? I really don't know what to recommend. I've never heard a SC35C. You're tracking at 4g + ?

In the used dept, you could get something like a Grado Gold-1 for around $130. Perhaps a used  Ortofon Blue? If you're unfamiliar with some of these, you can get a remarkably good idea here:
http://daveyw.edsstuff.org/vinyl/cartridges/
 
It takes a minute or two to download files, so you might want to download a few before you start listening.

A budget transducer is usually not recommended for use with a higher quality system. I'm not surprised you're  getting decent results with a disco cart. I tried a 3400 conical stylus on a AT-95 and it has a coherent sound with good bass. Maybe the SC35 has the balance you like with a ballsy sound. I suspect a more detailed cart might detract from the relative size of those balls.    Really, your attention is drawn away from the impact of the bottom end.  Good luck.

[BaMorin]

Here's a note i just recieved from a fellow forum member on audiokarma

I sent him a M+ grado body to mate with his newish 8MZ stylus. This was to compare vs a base model Black body with the 8MZ stylus.   One can usually find a good upper spec Grado body on the cheap, and slap a $100.00 stylus on it.

I had a chance to get the M+/8MZ mounted Thursday evening and played a few songs to test it. I could tell right away the M+ did get a little more out of 8MZ. I played a few LPs last night and am currently listening to Dire Straits as I type this.

 

The M+ does give a little extra definition across the board. The most gain is on the top end. It is a little more open and airy. The bass is the strongest and most defined I have ever gotten out of a turntable. I was listening to Pink Floyd “Echos” and had to turn the sub down a notch. I had the sub balanced pretty well with the speakers but the M+/8MZ was digging deeper than anything else I have used previously.

 

The sound stage is awesome. Instruments seem to have their own place around you. The Black/8MZ was very good at this too but the M+ just seems to “immerse” you little more. It makes the 2M Blue sound downright two dimensional .

 

So, to answer to the question, does a higher spec body make a difference with the 8MZ? Yes it does. I would say the Black/8MZ gets you about 85 to 90% there. The M+ added a bit more clarity and definition at both ends of the frequency range.

 

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to test drive and purchase the M+. It was well worth it. I will provide a review/write up on the Audio Karma with my impressions.

 

Cheers

[joegator81]

I use a Shure M97xE on a Technics 1700mkII. Its a bit below your budget actually so if you can find one you might want to at least consider it. I'm not saying there isnt anything in your budget that can beat, i havent heard much in that range but the Shure could probably hold its own and you shouldnt lose much on resale if you don't like it. Other than the shure the only other MM's i've heard are the Ortofons Bronze and Black, and the AT 150mlx all of which are above your price range.

However, the M97xE has a relaxed presentation that seems to me to be rich and fleshed out. The highs arent the most extended and the bass may not be the tightest but it doesnt give me fatigue. Its not for everyone, but it tracks well and does a great job w/ my technics. The technics/shure combo is now a second setup but i like it enough not to get rid of them.

good luck.