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I have my Luxman turntable from High School with an Audio Technica MC50 Moving Coil cartridge.  It was an entry-level moving coil cartridge at the time several decades ago.  I just broke it out for the first time in 30 years and think it probably needs a new stylus since I don't remember how many hours are on it and don't want to ruin my records. 

Question is, a replacement stylus is like $300.  I'm just curious if just buying a whole new cartridge with presumably newer tech such as a Grado or Golden Ear would be a better move.  Please let me know your thoughts.

Mike

[Rocket]

Hi,

If you don't know of the condition of the suspension I'd just buy a new cartridge. A lot of choices for $300.

Cheers Rod

[Letitroll98]

I'm a little confused here.  One, moving coil cartridges don't have user replaceable stylus.  Two, I can't find any reference to an AT MC50 cartridge anywhere.  Three, you'd need a moving coil phono preamp or this cart would have to be a high output mc.  Four, there are very few "entry level" moving coil carts.  For example there is an ATM50 Audiotechnica MC cart that goes for $1,700.  We want to help, some more info would be needed to do that.

[S Clark]

Like Letitroll98 I can't find that cartridge anywhere.
But cartridge prices over the past 6-7 years have skyrocketed.  IF it is a moving coil, you might look at sending it to one of the retip guys... VAS is fair, quick, and professional.  Soundsmith has been around for ages and does good work as well. 
If you are looking beyond an intro level, it's going to be more than a few hundred bucks.  First, find out what you have so you can decide if an upgrade is worth it.   

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Just get a new cartridge.  Denon and Hana make many inexpensive moving coil cartridges starting at $350-850.  Hana's have a warmer sound.  However, I would consider a very good MM cartridge like the Nagaoka MP-200.  I own this one.  It is detailed, warmer, dynamic and forgiving of poor recordings.  It is a medium compliance cartridge, however.  I love it but since purchasing a Gold Note PH-10 phono preamp, I am going to buy a higher end Hana MC cartridge.  Before you buy one, check out the resonance calculator at vinyl engine.

https://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge_resonance_evaluator.php

[S Clark]

Just get a new cartridge.  Denon and Hana make many inexpensive moving coil cartridges starting at $350-850. 

I'm not sure that many outside those afflicted with audiophilia would consider $500 for a turntable cartridge "inexpensive".

[renaudrenaud]

There is plenty of Audio Technica cartridges for a small amount of money and with spectacular results. The VM95 exists in different shapes and these cartridges are worth every penny.

https://www.lowbeats.de/test-audio-technica-vm95-6-mm-abtaster-bis-200-euro/





And the Cartridge is compatible with different stylist, you can finish with VM95SH (Shibata) if you like.

Where I live the ATN VM95E is less than 40€.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I'm not sure that many outside those afflicted with audiophilia would consider $500 for a turntable cartridge "inexpensive".

I do not get your comment. While I agree that 500 is a lot for a lot of people.  This guy has to be in his 40's or 50's.  Most people in this age group who are into audio can afford 500.  I also stated the range is from 350 on up.  We certainly do not know what he can afford so why steer him in a cheap direction with inferior sound.  I would also rather see him go the MM route as you can get a lot better sound than a 350 to 500 MC cartridge.  There are some nice MM cartridges like the Sumiko Olympia for 200 dollars or the Sumiko Moonstone for 350.  There are some nice Grado's as well, but you have to worry about hum if his motor on the Luxman uses AC.

If he can't afford it, then he can ignore my post. Besides, isn't 500 and less considered cheap and cheerful?

My son who is 32 bought a Nagaoka MP-150 cartridge that cost 400 dollars while he was a Nursing Assistant making 17 dollars an hour. He wanted good sound not cheap sound.

Cheers

[S Clark]

I do not get your comment. While I agree that 500 is a lot for a lot of people...

OK.  Just depends on what are the priorities of the original poster. 
Hopefully he'll post again with the model of the cartridge.  With that info we can give better advice.   More info about his system would help as well.   

[I.Greyhound Fan]

OK.  Just depends on what are the priorities of the original poster. 
Hopefully he'll post again with the model of the cartridge.  With that info we can give better advice.   More info about his system would help as well.

Agree.  It is always hard making recommendations to someone without knowing their budget and additional gear that they have.  I abide by spend as much as you can comfortably afford otherwise you may find yourself wanting to upgrade and spend more money in the end.  I have made that mistake before and won't ever do that again.  That's why I go the used route many times to get more bang for the buck.  In fact I just received my new used Gold Note PH-10 phono preamp that I bought used for over half off.  It sells for 2200 new.  I can't wait until it warms up to room temps before turning it on.

[twitch54]

The longest running continuously produced component in the audio industry(to the best of my knowledge)......

https://www.safeandsoundhq.com/products/denon-dl-103-moving-coil-phono-cartridge?variant=19578565427254&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD2t1wb45rdO9hKv49QqOXTRpvMVR&gclid=CjwKCAiAn9a9BhBtEiwAbKg6frmIz1A2YwnUDoL5NSUOwU2DX9O3Qjw4zP48oynV-OQ9y3OV1h7tLBoC77IQAvD_BwE

and if $300 is too expensive, then simply put, one does not belong in analog !

next ...........

[S Clark]

The longest running continuously produced component in the audio industry(to the best of my knowledge)......

https://www.safeandsoundhq.com/products/denon-dl-103-moving-coil-phono-cartridge?variant=19578565427254&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD2t1wb45rdO9hKv49QqOXTRpvMVR&gclid=CjwKCAiAn9a9BhBtEiwAbKg6frmIz1A2YwnUDoL5NSUOwU2DX9O3Qjw4zP48oynV-OQ9y3OV1h7tLBoC77IQAvD_BwE

and if $300 is too expensive then simply put, one does not belong in analog !

next ...........

Now that's a statement I can completely get behind.  $310 for a dl 103 is a bargain in an industry full of overpriced options.   
And you're even right about analog. Hard to get something better than a Dual and a Shure m97 for under $1000... but it can be done.   
Still, we need the original poster to tell us more about his goals.   

[SET Man]

There is plenty of Audio Technica cartridges for a small amount of money and with spectacular results. The VM95 exists in different shapes and these cartridges are worth every penny.

https://www.lowbeats.de/test-audio-technica-vm95-6-mm-abtaster-bis-200-euro/





And the Cartridge is compatible with different stylist, you can finish with VM95SH (Shibata) if you like.

Where I live the ATN VM95E is less than 40€.

Hey!

  I have the "C" conical version, the blue one... the price has gone up to $49 now here in the US... on my second turntable... 1971-72 Transcriptor Hydraulic Ref/SME 3009II Improved and it is a fun and very enjoyable cart! No, it won't replace the cart $475 Hana EL on my main turntable the Helius Alexia/Omega arm.
 
   I have no problem listening to the now $49 AT conical cart, never feel to rush back to my main turntable once the music start. My go to recommendation for inexpensive cart if anyone asked me.

   For MC... I have $475 Hana EL and yes the Denon 103... both are great. To me Hana is more detailed, good sense of speed and on the warmer side. The Denon 103 is great for the price for sure, great bass and very neutral mid band ... they got it right 60+ years ago.