[Paddlefoot]

i am looking to get a new cartridge for Pro-ject Perspective... my budget is 300.00 or less..MM or MC..I have a Emotiva XPS-1  pre-amp and a XPA-2 AMP... speakers Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1...thanks for any info...Greg

[jtsnead]

If you can spend a little more, this is a great deal on the OC9ML II

http://www.lpgear.com/product/ATC01.html

[simoon]

I'm also going to recommend something a bit over $300, but it is such a great deal, it is worth the extra $25.

These are NOS cartridges made by Coral in Japan that are tagged as SAE 1000. They are HOMC, wth either an elliptical or line trace stylus.

All I can tell you, is that for $325, these are comparable sounding to cartridges at double the price.

There was a thread here about a year ago, where there was almost universal positive reviews.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SAE-1000-LT-1000LT-MC-High-Output-cartridge-NOS-/400098588335?pt=US_Record_Player_Turntable_Parts&hash=item5d27bbf6af

[bacobits1]

$290 not used. Also not mine. But should have a step-up unless you have at least 60db gain on the Phono Pre.
My 65db didn't do it justice until I added the step-up.

http://www.audioasylumtrader.com/ca/listing/Phono-Cartridge/A-T/OC-9ML-MKII/Moving-Coil-Cartridge/96788

The SAE 1000LT was a real bargain at the $200 I purchased one a few years back.
Still not that bad at $325 but If you search or wait I bet you can find one cheaper. 
This is a High Output MC

[a.wayne]

http://www.cometsupply.com/mp/DENON/pm/DNNDL301MK2/

[simoon]

The SAE 1000LT was a real bargain at the $200 I purchased one a few years back.
Still not that bad at $325 but If you search or wait I bet you can find one cheaper. 
This is a High Output MC

Sure, it was a better bargain at $200, but even at $325 it is still one of the best deals out there.

In my opinion, it outperforms a Sumiko Blue Point Special (at $500), by a pretty good margin.

[roscoeiii]

Will depend on how well your phono stage does with LOMC carts. I'd see if you can find reviews of that Emotiva phono preamp that mention this. Sometimes lower priced phono stages aren't great for LOMCs, due to how difficult such small signals are to cleanly amplify.

IIRC, some AC folks have grabbed this phono stage. Maybe there is a thread here? Don't recall seeing a formal review anywhere, but haven't been paying that much attention.

[jarcher]

Would be helpful to know what you do / don't like about your current cartridge, what you hope to improve on, and do's / don't likes about sound reproduction in general.  Cartridges come in many "flavors". 

At under $300 (about $225 retail) I like the Ortofon 2M Blue.  The Red at the low end and the Black at the high end have gotten very good reviews as among the best MM cartridges at their price.  The 2M Blue gives you more refinement, particularly at the high frequency, vs the 2M Red.  I've owned / used both the Red and the Blue and like them.  They are easy to mount and have a fast and dynamic sound. If you don't like cartridges that tends towards the "analytical", then it's not for you. 

At the opposite extreme I'd say the Grado Gold at around $240 retail.  Very nice midrange and can reproduce the micro detail, but in an overall "mellow" sound.  I've also tried it and ultimately found it dynamically too soft for my tastes, despite the great mid range. Which is what I meant about knowing what's important to you.  I couldn't live with the soft dynamics despite all the other virtues of the Grado Gold because I listen to a lot of Rock etc that needs more jump.

And of course consider buying used to stretch your $ further.  E.g. I got a near mint 2M Blue at around half off retail.  I'm going to go out on a limb and say that at $300 or under new you're going to have it tough to get a great MC cartridge, though at that amount used your possibilities improve a lot.  And as other's have mentioned, your preamp should be up to snuff for MC as it's going to have to boost an even lower level signal (e.g. 2mV vs +4mV for a MM).  My feeling is to stick with the best in MM at that budget.

[Paddlefoot]

The current cartridge I have is the original blue point...it has about 200 hours...Ive had it for a long time...didnt play a lot of vinyl over the years and just started back...been playing a lot CDs  and fooling with computer audio...and a pro drummer. It sounds ok, not sure...just want to look for something that is dynamic and does the drums well without falling apart..the blue   point in my setup does this well...just haven't kept up with what is available out...so thought I would ask...heard good things about the grados, audio technica at440mla, Ortofon blue2 m...thank you all..keep them coming..Greg

[JackD]

The Emotiva will work fine with either the Denon 301 or the AT OC9.  60db gain is enough for both of them and it has compatible resistance settings that will work for both.  If you are willing to wait a short period of time the Denon from Comet Supply is a bargain.  It does bass and drums very well in my system.  As bacobits said the AT OC9 is also well respected, albeit just a slightly different flavor.  As for the Grado, you would come out with better sound by buying a Grado Black cartridge and an 8MZ stylus for a total of $160.  Much better sound than the Gold and a $70 savings, plus you have a spare stylus for testing out used LP's. 

[jarcher]

As for the Grado, you would come out with better sound by buying a Grado Black cartridge and an 8MZ stylus for a total of $160.  Much better sound than the Gold and a $70 savings, plus you have a spare stylus for testing out used LP's.

I did this based on tips here at AC - had a Grado Black cartridge lying around and put the 8MZ stylus on it.  Definitely not slouchy like the Gold, but don't have enough hours on it yet to come to a definitive conclusion vs the Grado Gold.  At this point my temptation would still be to spend the extra $ on the 2M Blue @ $225 though. 

[roscoeiii]

The Emotiva will work fine with either the Denon 301 or the AT OC9.  60db gain is enough for both of them and it has compatible resistance settings that will work for both.  If you are willing to wait a short period of time the Denon from Comet Supply is a bargain.  It does bass and drums very well in my system.  As bacobits said the AT OC9 is also well respected, albeit just a slightly different flavor.  As for the Grado, you would come out with better sound by buying a Grado Black cartridge and an 8MZ stylus for a total of $160.  Much better sound than the Gold and a $70 savings, plus you have a spare stylus for testing out used LP's.

JackD, have you heard the Emotiva set to 60dB gain, or are you just going off that figure? In some less expensive phono stages, even though they have that gain (which is a selling point, having the option of LOMCs), the sound can be thin or strained or a bit noisy at the highest gain setting.

[jimdgoulding]

Go the low output moving coil route an check out Vista Audio to raise the voltage.

[JackD]

roscoeiii

I bought right after Christmas after Wayner started talking about it.  I bought it to compare against the V-LPS in my office system.  That is where I let it break in for over 10 days.  I moved it into the main system in place of one of the Vista's just to try it out with the DL-301 Mk II.  It is still there about three weeks later running at 60db and 470 ohms.  To my ears the Emotiva's 60db setting is a bit louder than the Vista's by a couple of db's.  It is neither thin sounding or noisy.  Also tried it with the Grado 8MZ cartridge and it did fine with that also at 40db.  Like Wayner has said it is in fact a bargain.   If you want even more flexibility then the Vista is the way to go.  If the Emotiva has resistance settings that work with the cartridge of your choice then buy it as a starting point.  It has a 30 trial period. 

[Paddlefoot]

I have to I have been very please with the sound of the Emotiva gear...the phone sounds very good to me...no noise or crap coming out of it...so jackD...I use to have a Grado, like the sound , my main concern was the hum...I am thinking about what you suggested ..a black...see if it hum...then try a 8MZ stylus...how do you like that combo with the Emotiva? Thanks Greg

[roscoeiii]

roscoeiii

I bought right after Christmas after Wayner started talking about it.  I bought it to compare against the V-LPS in my office system.  That is where I let it break in for over 10 days.  I moved it into the main system in place of one of the Vista's just to try it out with the DL-301 Mk II.  It is still there about three weeks later running at 60db and 470 ohms.  To my ears the Emotiva's 60db setting is a bit louder than the Vista's by a couple of db's.  It is neither thin sounding or noisy.  Also tried it with the Grado 8MZ cartridge and it did fine with that also at 40db.  Like Wayner has said it is in fact a bargain.   If you want even more flexibility then the Vista is the way to go.  If the Emotiva has resistance settings that work with the cartridge of your choice then buy it as a starting point.  It has a 30 trial period.

Great to hear. Just wasn't clear from your earlier post if you had firsthand experience with it or not .

[JackD]

Paddlefoot

Whether or not it will hum with that Pro-Ject model I don't know.  It will depend on the placement of the motor on that model or if it is suspended.  The combo of the Grado black or any of the Grado bodies will to me give you the qualities you say you are looking for as will the Denon.  It is worth a try anyway for $70 or less.  I use all vintage Grado bodies from the 70's and 80's.  I have a Prestige body laying around here somewhere that tested good, but never mounted it.  The Grado sounds fine with the Emotiva.

[Paddlefoot]

Thanks, yes the motor  is off to the side of the table...not under the subplatter ...it is suspended..so you have a spare prestige ...better than the black...maybe you want to sell it:)

[neobop]

The current cartridge I have is the original blue point...it has about 200 hours...Ive had it for a long time...didnt play a lot of vinyl over the years and just started back...been playing a lot CDs  and fooling with computer audio...and a pro drummer. It sounds ok, not sure...just want to look for something that is dynamic and does the drums well without falling apart..the blue   point in my setup does this well...just haven't kept up with what is available out...so thought I would ask...heard good things about the grados, audio technica at440mla, Ortofon blue2 m...thank you all..keep them coming..Greg

When I listen to a CD I'm always impressed with the way it does percussion.  Drums really come alive and that seems like the best part of digital for me.

Grado hum is often table dependent, so before you go there again you should check the data base.  I think its on Karma.  Grados have that midrange.  Great for vocals, but not sure about everything else especially transient response.

I've read good things about the phono stage, but I've never heard one. 
In this price range I think Audio Technica has the best bang for the buck.  You might want to consider the AT-150MLX.  The AT-100E has an identical generator in a light weight body.  You could put a 150 stylus on there and have the equivalent cart for well below $300.
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATN150MLX-Replacement-Stylus-AT150MLX/dp/B0008JID7U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392247803&sr=8-1&keywords=audio+technica+at-150mlx+stylus

http://www.lpgear.com/product/AT100E.html

There's another AT LOMC that doesn't get much press, but seems to generate some love:
http://www.lpgear.com/product/ATF3III.html

Here's the same thing in a non-resonant body:
http://www.lpgear.com/product/ATF7.html

The AT MMs are best with a low capacitance load.  I don't know the input specs of your phono stage, but total load should be < 200pF, or close.
The OC9II seems somewhat phono stage dependent.  It can be bright in the wrong set-up.

Denon makes some nice carts.  I haven't heard the 301/II, but I believe it's a pretty good based on my experience with a 103d, 304, DL-S1 and what I've read. 
The 2M Blue is a decent cart.  I've never compared it.  The Black and Bronze have the same body.  You could upgrade a Bronze stylus to a Black, but it's expensive.
http://www.lpgear.com/product/OR2MBRONZE.html

http://www.lpgear.com/product/ORS2MBLACK.html

neo

 

[JackD]

Neo

Emotiva says that the native capacitance of that phono stage is 220pf, but Wayner says it works fine with the AT-440 so who knows what it really is without opening it up and looking.