[SET Man]

Hey!

   Not sure if this have been asked before? Out of curiosity... what kind of phono cartridge are you using?

   OK, I know that some of you have more than one system or turntable with removable headshell with different kind of carts. But I want to focus on what cart type you use on your main system the most... your main cart.

   For me, it is MC.

   Currently my main setup is the Hana EL... on Helius Alexia turntable and Helius Omega tonearm.
   Second setup... Transcriptor Hydraulic Reference, SME 3009 II Improved and Denon DL-103. Also have Audio Technica AT-VM95C MM and AT-OC9XEB MC to play with.
   Both MC carts go into Ned Clayton Blue Cinemag 3440AH SUT... phono pre is built in Audio Note M1 preamp.

[FatsoJoe]

I have been using MM and MI for some 55 years. Two reasons I never went to a MC. 1. Never liked the high output moving coils I did buy, and B) I could never afford the $100 for a step up device.

I have heard them all, but never found a reason to change. I always loved my Pickerings, Stantons and Grados. Now I own Audio Technica, Nagaoka and Rega moving magnets. And even though I own a phono stage that can accommodate low outputs, I don't see the point in requiring a higher level of preamplication. I do prefer the ability to replace styli as well.

[kmmd]

Hana Umami Red and now Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum.  The textures, detail, extension and depth are so involving with the Koetsu.

[theflattire]

All MC, mostly vintage: Sumiko Talisman S, Transfiguration Spirit III, Koetsu Black Goldline and a Dynavector Karat RS23MR.
I've come to the thought that if you have a really good phono stage, I use a Modwright PH9.0XT, they all sound good.
I tried a Shure V15 type III one night and it sounded great to me!

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I have been using a MM Nagaoka MP-200 cartridge for a while.  But I recently upgraded my TT to a Classic Evo and my phono preamp to a Gold Note PH-10.  I plan on buying my first MC cartridge, the Shelter 501 MKiii later this year.   I can't wait given how good the MP-200 sounds now.

[TomS]

DS Audio 003 optical cartridge and 003 phono energizer. Never going back to coils and magnets ...

[Charles Xavier]

Ortofon 2m Blue. Sounds good to me. I should move up to the 2m Bronze but not looking to invest more in my TT since I mainly stream.

[1965]

Grado for first 30 years, over the last 10 added Soundsmith, higher end Grado Low output, then Denon MC since I had a Ned Clayton SUT with 4 windings.

[SET Man]

DS Audio 003 optical cartridge and 003 phono energizer. Never going back to coils and magnets ...

Hey!

     Look like you are the first that use optical cart to post on this thread.

     Please don't forget to cast your vote!

[justjed]

I'm running Ortofon Quintets, I have the Red, Blue, and Bronze. Right now the Q-Blue is on the Denon DP-1700. I have a 2M Bronze set up for it, as well, but the Quintets get the vast majority of playback duties.

I also have a second system, set up for MM carts, and headphones. The SL-1800 is currently wearing a Concorde Music Bronze.

[nlitworld]

Benz Zebra L for me. Stupid extravagant splurge but it sounds really damn good on my Schiit Sol. I went searching to find a Benz Ace cart after they were discontinued, then decided to blow past reasonable options of Hana mc carts and went full tilt boogie. Already popped a vote in yesterday for it.

[SteveFord]

Ortofon 2M Black for man years.
I like the sound of it so bought a second one for the downstairs turntable.

[mick wolfe]

Once I scored an A23 SUT years ago, it's been re-tipped/rebodied Denon 103's ever since. Table is the original WTL Amadeus. These are the most permanent fixtures in either of my systems.

[SET Man]

Hey!

   A member reminded me of the Strain Gauge system of which is still available today, the only company that I know of that make this type is the Soundsmith. So, I updated the list of choices to include all the currently available type of phono carts, plus the the ELP laser turntable of which I believe the company is still around but special order only.

   Anyway, I think that should covered all current phono types.

[SET Man]

Benz Zebra L for me. Stupid extravagant splurge but it sounds really damn good on my Schiit Sol. I went searching to find a Benz Ace cart after they were discontinued, then decided to blow past reasonable options of Hana mc carts and went full tilt boogie. Already popped a vote in yesterday for it.

Hey!

   I used the original ACE high output version (the blue one) for years on regular basis before I took it out of service a few years ago after I felt that it was time. Loved that cart... sadly like you've mentioned it is discontinued I think. Benz Micro used to have a great trade in program. By the time I retired my ACE, Benz was changing due to the death of the owner/designer I believe. Anyway, I still have the ACE, I might send it out to VAS or others to see if they can retip it and keep it like original as possible.

[toocool4]

Using a EMT JSD S 75 cartridge, in a Dynavector DV-507 MK-II arm, into a Lino C 3.3 Transimpedance MC only phonostage.

[ArthurDent]

Still using a vintage 80's Grado G1+ on my Thorens TD 160 Mk II with the carbon fiber tonearm. Sounds great to my ears, though I often think of trying something else for fun. I did pick up a spare tone arm extension (original is 2 pc) a few years back, so wouldn't be a big deal to swap to a 2nd cart. 

[mjosef]

Denon high output MC mainly, but before and still in use...Shure Vmr from the mid 80s, still tracking the grooves, inc. the cannon shots on Telarc 1812 

[wgallupe]

Bang & Olufsen MMC3

[twitch54]

Benz Micro Gulwing