Best MM cartridge under $170

rmihai0 · « **on:** 30 Nov 2004, 04:22 pm »

Please, I need your help to advise me for what sould I look for. I will use a deeeply modded NAD 1130 with it. So, in your opinion, which one do you think is the best Moving Magnet cartridge available under $170?

Thank you very much

rmihai0 · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Nov 2004, 06:50 pm »

Thank you very much to all of you.

lcrim · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Nov 2004, 07:38 pm »

Hi:
The NAD is your preamp, w/ a phono section, correct? What TT and more importantly, which tonearm are you using?
Your preamp/phono section should mate decently w/ just about any MM cart but the tonearm will have more to do with how well the cart works.

Rocket · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Nov 2004, 10:51 pm »

Hi,

I'm not sure if it is the best cartridge under $170us but i had great success with the shure m97 mm cartridge.

best of luck

rod

rmihai0 · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Dec 2004, 12:16 am »

Yes, sorry. I am using a Thorens 125 Mk2 with a Sumiko MMT tonearm. The internal and external wire was re-wired with Cardas 33 AWG.

Thank you a lot

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Dec 2004, 02:32 am »

Wonder about AVA's Longhorn?? Not sure how it stacks up against other contenders, but it looks interesting.

JoshK · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Dec 2004, 02:49 am »

I don't know myself, because I didn't stay in this camp but to start out. I didn't like the Goldring 1012GxII or whatever it was, just didn't sound very good to me. Didn't like the 1042 either...I've heard good things about the Grado carts for budget carts but can't offer more than that.

lcrim · « **Reply #7 on:** 1 Dec 2004, 03:02 am »

After doing some research, it looks like the Sumiko MMT is a medium mass tonearm hence the name. The Audio-Technica 440ML should work nicely in that arm and it is only ~$90 I like it very much w/ my SME Series III
There are posts in the Asylum re:the Grado Groove Dance and this arm so I would steer away from Grados w/ this arm. That may be a thing of the past but it made for amusing reading.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #8 on:** 1 Dec 2004, 04:18 am »

Quote from: lcrim

There are posts in the Asylum re:the Grado Groove Dance and this arm so I would steer away from Grados w/ this arm. ....

That concern might make the Longhorn attractive---based on a Grado but AVA modifications change the resonant freq. The cart comes with a 30 day guarantee:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=12241

Not to say it's better than the others mentioned, but it deserves consideration.

Dan Driscoll · « **Reply #9 on:** 1 Dec 2004, 04:16 pm »

Quote from: lcrim

After doing some research, it looks like the Sumiko MMT is a medium mass tonearm hence the name. The Audio-Technica 440ML should work nicely in that arm and it is only ~$90

I'll second the AT-440ML. I have it on an MMF-5 and IMO it is a significant improvement over the Goldring 1012 that comes with it. YMMV.

Psychicanimal · « **Reply #10 on:** 4 Dec 2004, 07:06 am »

I prefer Stanton over Shure, AT, Goldring, Ortofon, Dynavector & Grado...

_scotty_ · « **Reply #11 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 03:59 pm »

I also have to vote for the AT440ML. I am using a highly modified one on my Mapelnoll AriadneTT. Once it is modded it has a very neutral tonal balance and excellent dynamics. Scotty