Cheap cartridges that are good

Hi-Fi Corner
125

In my experience listening to anything at a HiFi show is a poor way to learn what something sounds like or judge its relative audio quality.

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126

That’s beside the point, MMs and MIs still sound consistently punchier than MCs at shows and dealers.

127

Well OK but I wonder why you thought it worth mentioning then?

You are of course welcome to enjoy and prefer whatever you like and if that is a MM/MI that is fine.

However, what’s not fine is stating your preference and opinion as fact.

I think there are some very good MM cartridges but on balance The number of good MCs I have listened to when coupled (true for MMs too) to a good Phono stage talk more convincingly to my ears and listening preferences. What suits your ears is another matter for you.

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128

Where are we on ‘cheap cartridges’ for the OP’s WT turntable?

129

I think the options were exhausted some time ago.

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130

The forum as talking shop with no useful outcome, how brilliantly miserable for all of who contributed to this thread including @Rushboy who originated it.

131

It looks like I will have to invest more to top my Goldring 1042. I won’t be pursuing the MM route any further. My path will go to MC.

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132

A wise choice imo :+1:

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133

So basically, it’s the village pub.

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134

Didn’t mean it like that, just an opinion with conviction.

135

I’ve likened it to a bar in an old western before. Insert who you think fit as Sheriff and gnarly bartender. Occasionally strangers stumble in. Sometimes they’re careful, and are allowed to buy a drink. Sometimes they’re not, and the ensuing brawl is messy and occasionally ends up in people leaving town.

Strained analogy over :slight_smile:

@Rushboy I ran a 1042 for a long time, after upgrading my original Roksan Corus (which is a slightly modified Goldring body IIUC) through 1012 and 1022 replacement styluses. It was very good and must have had countless thousand hours on it before being eventually replaced. I’d be really interested in what you replace yours with.

After a lot of deliberation I ended up deciding to optimise around “MM” - though run the HOMC Dynavector 10x5, into a Graham Slee Accession phono stage. Between the two, and a hefty TT upgrade, my vinyl source is substantially better than what it replaced, and is very very enjoyable. Best of luck looking for MC cartridges/phono stages!

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136

Pub, Saloon, either way, everyone ends up talking bo%%ocks at some point given enough time.

I always find it odd how people get so upset though. Seems to boil down to three things on nearly every tiff:

  • Person A acts like person B is spending person A’s money on something they disagree with. They’re not but that’s psychology for you.
  • Someone said something blatently wrong but even after they must have realised it, decides the best course is to aggressively double down. Which of course is basically how 99% of peoples’ interactions on the web sadly.
  • Person A simply must get person B to change their mind. Despite the fact people changing opinions on any web forum is as rare as a fairy trapped in amber.
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137

Not really. There are only a limited number of cartridges available that are at the cost window the OP described. These have been named and discussed. One is never going to get a definitive answer as to which one is best as it is at least going to depend on personal taste but also the other equipment deployed.

So, if that makes the forum a talking shop, then it is not that surprising when the answer to a broad question is a matter of opinion.

It is the same for all things to improve the sound of your HiFi system, it is a matter of opinion and it is important to be able to audition equipment yourself and use the most important piece of equipment you have, your ears. If it sounds great to you or otherwise it does not matter what others think about the thing. It can be good to get opinions from others and reviews to help get a shortlist but it should come down to you listening and judging for yourself.

I put my two penneth on suggested cartridges at around post #41.

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138

I’m happy that this thread has finally got somewhere. The OP is no longer looking for a ‘cheap cartridge’ and will investigate MCs.

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139

There are good cheap cartridges, just not cheap mc carts.

140

:popcorn: Ohhhhhhhh, this should be interesting.

141

Indeed. I don’t like expensive mm carts. I prefer mc carts. However at the low price bracket of mm I find some carts very good. You don’t have to move to mc if on a tight budget.

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142

Should I use a Linn Koil instead of the Audio Technica OC9XML?

143

:laughing:

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144

:100: