Favorite Entry Level Phono Cartridge?

[MikeT.]

It’s either going to be a Nagaoka MP110, which I’m a little concerned about the low compliance on the Rega tonearm. I had a low compliance Denon DL103 on it but it’s a much heavier cart than the MP110, it worked pretty well. Or, as you say, a used body with a new stylus.
I’m also thinking an upgrade to the built-in Yamaha phono preamp might be a prudent move as well. It’s decent but I’m already missing the Graham Slee.
Downsizing is a bit@h.

 

[BobInWi]

2 weeks ago I spent a very pleasant hour listening to an entry level Sota TT playing thru a $350 Sota Pyxi phonostage & a $100 Ortofon Red cart. The Pyxi has some unique architecture. The combo sounded much nicer than I'd ever have suspected. I'm thinking about trying the Pyxi myself.

 

[Golden Gate ER]

Biggest Bang for your buck is an Ortofon 5e. At right about $100 USD it is no doubt has a entry level price tag with a mush higher than expected sound and build quality.

 

[Nifty Niblick]

Hey all,

I’ve been making progress with the medical bills, so that’s good. I sold my Nagaoka MP500, my favorite of all-time, so not-so-good but I’m keeping my perspective on what’s important in life.

I installed an AT-95E which I purchased for an old Denon DP23F. It did NOT sound great on the Denon BUT on the modified Rega P2 it sounds pretty good. A touch bright on the high and mids, not bad at all though.

The KEF Q150’s overall are very enjoyable. They can be a bit aggressive, surprisingly in bass performance. Maybe more room and position oriented so I’m confident I can correct that with positioning.

I’ve read so many positive reviews about the Nagaoka MP-110, the only negative, if you can call it negative in a cart at its price, is it can be a little forward in the bass and not as detailed in mids and highs. Might be a good match with the KEF’s but can’t be certain.

What’s your favorite entry level cart? Thanks for any info you might share.

Although my Ortofon Concorde LVB 250 is far from entry level,
their popularly priced 2M models don't sound a hell of a lot different, truth be told.
I can comfortably recommend them, but sound is of course personal.

 

[MikeT.]

Biggest Bang for your buck is an Ortofon 5e. At right about $100 USD it is no doubt has an entry level price tag with a mush higher than expected sound and build quality.

Funny you should mention this Ortofon series cartridge. I saw one a day or so ago while obsessively searching for ideas. I had one on a Thorens TD165 many years ago and thought it was quite good. I’ll look at it again. As I recall it’s a pretty light cart and the Rega arm is at the low-ish end of medium.

 

[MikeT.]

2 weeks ago I spent a very pleasant hour listening to an entry level Sota TT playing thru a $350 Sota Pyxi phonostage & a $100 Ortofon Red cart. The Pyxi has some unique architecture. The combo sounded much nicer than I'd ever have suspected. I'm thinking about trying the Pyxi myself.

I did not know SOTA was making a phono pre. I’ll check it out @BobInWi , thanks!

 

[MikeT.]

OK, I’ve decided I should try a better phono pre. I just ordered my third Schiit Mani (the second two being the Mani 2). In my search for the next phono cartridge, and listening to the AT95E for the past weeks, I’ve been left thinking it’s not a bad cart but limited by the Yamaha AS801 internal preamp. It’s OK, but is likely under serving most any moving magnet cart. Dynamics are flat, overall ho-hum. I’m still downsizing, still selling some stuff here and there. So not spending a great deal of money here but the Mani performs really well for my use now. When finances improve, it may be the time for a new cart.
This behavior may explain my ongoing neck pain.

 

[Robert Young]

i can't belive i missed this thread.

If you can find one, the SAE 1000e or 1000LT have been sold on ebay NOS for $100, and are still a massive bargain at $300. It is an entry-level price, but it is not an entry level cartridge. Groovetickler (Joseph Long) considers it to be top tier cartridge, and i agree with him. On a Rega RB-300 (since sold dammit), it was magnificent, and will remain in my stable long after many "better" cartridges have been sold off...

That being said, if you like the Nagaoka sound, the advice to temporarily step down a couple of notches is excellent. They are all very good cartridges for the money, and there are far more similarities in presentation than differences throughout the line (leads to a "house sound," which when the house is great, is a very good thing!).

 

[MikeT.]

Anyone here tried a Sumiko Pearl? I’ve owned a couple of Sumiko carts and been pretty pleased with them. The “Black Pearl” is a conical stylus the Pearl has an elliptical, and is the one I’m kinda interested in. Specs and reviews say it’s very good. The AT95E currently in use is a bit dry sounding but still not bad for the $45 I spent on it to use on an OLD Denon DD table.

Ears anyone?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[SONDEKNZ]

@MikeT.

Mike we purchased a brand new SHELTER 201 a couple of years ago. It is more or less identical to the SUMIKO Pearl, but (they say) has a few tweaks that SHELTER have made including a nude elliptical stylus, if I recall.

Anyway, I wouldn't bother. It is a total snooze-fest. After more than 20-hours of running-in on our highly modified LP12 rig, I have given-up on it.

Mid-band and below, it is fabulous, but there is so little top-end that everything sounds like it has a wet blanket over it. Adding a conical tip - a la SUMIKO Black Pearl - is not going to improve the top-end response.

My recommendation would go to either the DENON DL-110 or the AUDIO TECHNICA AT-VM95C.

At five times the price of the AUDIO TECHNICA, the baby DENON gives a bigger sound, greater extension at the frequency extremes and increased colour. The AUDIO TECHNICA sounds even more dynamic - and the DENON is no slouch in this regard! - and possibly a bit more cohesive.

They are both complete bargains! Either way, you will be in clover!

(Be warned: both cartridges sound like shite out of the box - and need about 20-hours to come on-song! I use a record lead-out and leave it spinning at 45RPM for two or three nights. I suspect a lot of people give-up on these carts before they are ready to give their best... I know almost did!)

 

[MikeT.]

@MikeT.

Mike we purchased a SHELTER 201 a couple of years ago. It is more or less identical to the SUMIKO Pearl, but (they say) has a few tweaks that SHELTER have made including a nude elliptical stylus, if I recall.

Anyway, I wouldn't bother. It is a total snooze-fest. After more than 20-hours of running-in on our highly modified LP12 rig, I have given-up on it.

Mid-band and below, it is fabulous, but there is so little top-end that everything sounds like it has a wet blanket over it. Adding a conical tip - a la SUMIKO Black Pearl - is not going to improve the top-end response.

My recommendation would go to either the DENON DL-110 or the AUDIO TECHNICA AT-VM95C.

The slightly more expensive DENON gives a bigger sound, greater extension at the frequency extremes and increased colour. The AUDIO TECHNICA sounds more dynamic and possibly a bit more cohesive.

They are both complete bargains! Either way, you will be in clover!

(Be warned: both cartridges sound like shite out of the box - and need about 20-hours to come on-song! I use a record lead-out and leave it spinning at 45RPM for two or three nights. I suspect a lot of people give-up before these carts are ready to give their best... I almost did!)

Thanks @SONDEKNZ ! I finally found some measurement graphs of the Pearl that totally confirms your impressions. The AT-VM95C keeps surfacing in so many reviews and conversations that’s the likely direction. I had a Denon DL-110 early in my audiophile life and it must have been mis-matched to my tonearm, a carbon fiber Pro-Ject arm on one of their mid-range tables. I could never get the bass I expected. Could’ve been an installation error but I’d been doing it for lots of years. I’m going with an arm mismatch. I really like the sound of the Denon DL103. Is the DL110 similar?

Thanks!

 

[SONDEKNZ]

Thanks @SONDEKNZ ! I finally found some measurement graphs of the Pearl that totally confirms your impressions. The AT-VM95C keeps surfacing in so many reviews and conversations that’s the likely direction. I had a Denon DL-110 early in my audiophile life and it must have been mis-matched to my tonearm, a carbon fiber Pro-Ject arm on one of their mid-range tables. I could never get the bass I expected. Could’ve been an installation error but I’d been doing it for lots of years. I’m going with an arm mismatch. I really like the sound of the Denon DL103. Is the DL110 similar?

Thanks!

The two DENON carts in their stock form sound quite different.

The 110 is much quieter through the grooves - especially with worn vinyl - and is more extended at the frequency extremes. Better bass and better top-end sparkle.

Where the 103R wins is in the mids. It just has a unique big-boned midrange that can become a bit addictive. But it would not match an overly warm system.

The 110 still has a lovely bit of warmth and body through the mids - which are quite projected - but the 110 overall is more neutral than the 103R IMHO.

The 110 is also a better tracker - cheaper - and lasts longer.

You are probably feeling my sway here... 😊

 

[Andyman]

I've two nearly 50 year-old vinyl jukeboxes.
One has a Shure N44C and the other a Shure M44-MR.

Both are still working fine.

My vintage Philips 308 turntable has a Shure M75 ED.
That's worked well for decades.

Count me in the Shure club. My M91ED w/ a new Swiss stylus sounds great. I’d recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat.

 

[SONDEKNZ]

I had a Denon DL-110 early in my audiophile life and it must have been mis-matched to my tonearm, a carbon fiber Pro-Ject arm on one of their mid-range tables. I could never get the bass I expected. Could’ve been an installation error but I’d been doing it for lots of years. I’m going with an arm mismatch.

I blame the PROJECT. I've heard that table - and other models further up the food-chain - and was never impressed. Not a PROJECT fan...

After 6 decades of manufacture, the 110 still has fantastic bass! This makes it a long-time favourite with the TECHNICS boys...

 

[MikeT.]

Oh what the heck, just pulled the trigger on a Nagaoka MP110. It’s through Amazon so if I don’t like it I can always return it.
Thanks to @AnGar , @MrEd , @Wntrmute2 , @prime minister , @adnick , @SONDEKNZ , @Doghouse Riley , @BobInWi , @Golden Gate ER , @Nifty Niblick , @Robert Young and @Andyman for all the help. The Nagaoka was what I wanted from the beginning, based on my brief love affair with their MP500, but wanted to make sure I had input from the greatest minds here, so thank you again.

 

[SONDEKNZ]

Oh what the heck, just pulled the trigger on a Nagaoka MP110. It’s through Amazon so if I don’t like it I can always return it.
Thanks to @AnGar , @MrEd , @Wntrmute2 , @prime minister , @adnick , @SONDEKNZ , @Doghouse Riley , @BobInWi , @Golden Gate ER , @Nifty Niblick , @Robert Young and @Andyman for all the help. The Nagaoka was what I wanted from the beginning, based on my brief love affair with their MP500, but wanted to make sure I had input from the greatest minds here, so thank you again.

Mike, I've never read a bad thing about the NAG MP110, so I'm sure you will enjoy it.

I'd like to try a NAG one day, myself.

Be sure to report how long it takes to come on-song... Enjoy!

 

[MikeT.]

I’m about 10 hours in with the MP110. Right out of the box the comparisons to the AT95E are very obvious. Bass is much more solid, seems deeper, better extension. The high end percussion is more pleasing to my ear. The 95E could be a little aggravating at times. It’s still breaking in. First few albums were very analytical but nice. I had a couple of hours last night where it didn’t know what it seemed to have lost it’s identity but this morning it seems to have regained its composure.
I’d say there’s more to discover but I very much doubt I would go back to the AT.

More later.

 

[Robert Young]

Hi Mike,

Is your AT the AT-95e or the VM95c? The 95e hasn't been made for a few years now, replaced by the VM...

Regardless, glad you are liking the Nagaoka!! If you do want to get the AT to where it is competitive, the Stanley bodies make a huge difference in bass control...

 

[prime minister]

Oh what the heck, just pulled the trigger on a Nagaoka MP110. It’s through Amazon so if I don’t like it I can always return it.
Thanks to @AnGar , @MrEd , @Wntrmute2 , @prime minister , @adnick , @SONDEKNZ , @Doghouse Riley , @BobInWi , @Golden Gate ER , @Nifty Niblick , @Robert Young and @Andyman for all the help. The Nagaoka was what I wanted from the beginning, based on my brief love affair with their MP500, but wanted to make sure I had input from the greatest minds here, so thank you again.

A lesser man would say “I told you so!”, but of course I won’t do that. 😇

Congrats! 🥳

 

[Hifi-Magnetics]

Entry-Midrange category besides the new ones.....
Vintage Shure M75 to M91. Very decent cartridge and a bang for the buck to catch a very good category aftermarket stylus.
Old Empire 2000 series with the right cartridge are also excellent too. You can get an aftermarket stylus without breaking the bank that will blow your mind.