Best MC Cart under $1000 ?

[AussieMick]

Don't you just love upgrade paths...[emoji388][emoji91]


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[eltech]

 
You send back (as I have done in the past) and they re-tip. You need to send back the stylus assembly. 
 
And the Optim FGS cartridge can be upgraded to Optim FGS Ruby specs, via a cantilever and stylus upgrade.

So have you done an AB comparison with the Ortofon 2M black?

[gardsy]

How does the Garrott compare to a Nagoaka MP-500 for about the same coin?

[AussieMick]

The Nagaoka has hard core fans. I've not heard one, but there are true believers. Worth checking out.


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[soundfan]

57 minutes ago, eltech said:

So have you done an AB comparison with the Ortofon 2M black?

 

I have heard an Ortofon 2M Black, but not on my table. A fine cart indeed, but I can't provide an A/B comparison unfortunately.

[eltech]

Just now, soundfan said:

 

I have heard an Ortofon 2M Black, but not on my table. A fine cart indeed, but I can't provide an A/B comparison unfortunately.

No worries. I like my AT150Mlx anyway.

I have compared it to the 2m black. It compares very well.

[soundfan]

@tellmidd, sorry but a few of us here have taken your thread off topic.

There are so many capable cartridges out there in this day and age, hard at times to separate the wheat from the chaff. 

But I still firmly believe you should forget whether it is mm or mc, and buy a cartridge to suit your budget. 

And also consider whether your phono pre is cabable of maximising the performance of whichever cartridge you decide on.

[drdarkfish]

On 06/10/2017 at 4:35 AM, tellmidd said:

Hi -I am sure this topic has been broached numerous times but interested in SNA brain trust opinion on best value for money MC cart within the $600 -$1000 price bracket.

 

Links would be helpful too

 

Many thanks! Terry

 

 

Hi Terry,

 

I assume you are asking because youre looking for a cart for yourself.

 

There are many great options in this price range but the 'best' will be highly dependant on:

 

1. Your "sound" preference.

2. The tonearm you intend on mounting it on.

3. The rest of your system (and how this interrelates to 1. ).

 

Answer those three and you will narrow your field considerably.

 

HAving said that, in the sub $1000 arena I am a big fan of Audio Techina and I think there 'AT-0C9-III' is probably the "best".

 

CHeers Tim

 

 

[MattyW]

Hana SL gets my vote

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[MattyW]

I compared my modified Denon DL103 (closed cocobolo wood body, lead shot damped, nagaoka aluminium cantilever with nude shibata stylus) with my Hana EL today on the Fidelity Research FR-14 tonearm of my S.A.M Aldebaran turntable. Interestingly the Denon had more body, bass, dynamics and even sense of air. Unexpectedly it was noticeably better all around. I'm going to need to compare with my Supex SD900 Rosewood some time to see which is better.

 

This was unexpected seeing as the cart was already modified and only set me back $230 shipped from Japan. The wood body set me back $90 from Germany. One of my least expensive carts competing more expensive, higher end carts.

 

Interestingly the difference wasn't small, it was very noticeable.

 

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[Happy]

I'd take nude shobata over elliptical any day so that's not surprising at all


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[MattyW]

It was a greater difference than just the micro detail. Greater body and dynamics. Better bass and treble, right across the range really.

 

Makes me think that I really aught to send my DL103D in for a retip. I think I'll be selling my Hana EL soon.

 

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[DoggieHowser]

SL>EL no?

[MattyW]

SL>EL no?

The only difference is the tip. A shibata rather than elliptical, and colour of the cartridge body. This difference was far greater than just the tip. Surprised me somewhat.

 

The Hana sound is more refined (like a DL303) whereas the DL103 has some big hairy ones

 

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[Citroen]

Its a 103. No surprise there. I'm a fan of these and there variants, coloured sound and all.

[MattyW]

I've no problem with colour

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[Happy]

Gee folks Hana SL is the limit of colouration for me that's the warm sounding cart in my rig


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[MattyW]

I started with DL103's before going to the Hana EL. The Hana was better hands down. This particular 103 with lead shot damping at the front, closed body and nude shibata tipped Nagaoka cantilever is truly something special, when paired with this table on this arm. It's important to note that the DL103 doesn't work well on every table. The Hana EL is guaranteed decent no matter the tonearm

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[THOMO]

I have been very happy with my Nagaoka MP500 .There is just a "rightness " to it that stops you thinking about the system and lets you enjoy the music.None of the MCs I have used have done that-good in some ways but not a complete picture.The MP500 is way better than a Denon 103 in my opinion and also better than a Soundsmith retipped Supex 900 Super I was using .

[MattyW]

I've only tried two Nagaoka models. The MP20 and JT322. Neither were really in the same league.... Then again, my systems were nowhere near as good as they are now.

 

Seeing as the cantilever on my 103 is a Nagaoka with nude shibata it's entirely possible that this is a big part of the carts performance.

 

The SD900 Super isn't as good as the SD900 Rosewood by the way. Less bass and top end. The long bodies use alnico magnets.

 

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[michaelw]

so many to choose from in this price band.

 

my pick ... depending on your system...

 

sumiko blue point special evo iii, high or low output.

 

 

[Guest Hensa]

I agree there are too many to choose between. The Nag MP500 has been on my 'must try' list for a long time and I really need to get that done!

I've spent a fair bit of my vinyl days in this part of the budget pool and there is very little between my favourites. The Hana SL/SH are right up there as is the ZYX Bloom R50 and Benz Ace. I'm also a big fan of the Dyna Karats, though they're now well over the $1k price point - I still really enjoy the Karat 23R which cost me a lot less than that.

My current favourite is the Van den Hul DDT II. Very dynamic, big but not bloated bass and near Dyna Karat-like speed. An all-round gem of a cart!

I never got on with the 103/103R, wood body or stock and apart from the DL-301 II, haven't really taken to Denon carts. I appreciate they're hugely popular but just not my cup of tea and there's too many brews I do enjoy to worry about pursuing them any further.[emoji3]


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[MattyW]

My other DL103 doesn't sound anywhere near as good as this one.... It actually sounds like an entirely different cart. It has a Garrott solid aluminium cantilever, elliptical tip and semi nude mahogany body. Totally different tonally to the Nagaoka cantilevered cart.

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[Qwertyqaz]

You all move so many cartridges around, how on earth do you ensure they are installed as per Michael's instructions?

[Guest Hensa]

You all move so many cartridges around, how on earth do you ensure they are installed as per Michael's instructions?

No idea who Michael is but, in any event, with interchangeable headshells you only align each cartridge once and just reset VTF when switching. On my fixed headshell tonearm, I change the cartridge maybe once every couple of years.


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