Phono cartridge suggestions?

Timothy Smith
Timothy Smith Posts: 764
edited April 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
Does anyone have any suggestions on a budget MM phone cartridge?

Can anything decent be had for around $100 or am I fooling myself?

My primary turntable is a Thorens TD-160.

Thanks!
Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited April 2011
    Timothy Smith wrote: »
    Does anyone have any suggestions on a budget MM phone cartridge?

    Can anything decent be had for around $100 or am I fooling myself?

    My primary turntable is a Thorens TD-160.

    Thanks!

    You could try the Denon DL-110, it is a high output MC - so it can be used on a MM line input.

    It has some good street 'cred - a tad higher than $100 but in the ball park.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited April 2011
    I just got a TD-145 I have been told that a Shure M97xE would be a fantastic low cost MM for the TD 160/145 table. $55.00 delivered, you can't go too far wrong for starting up.

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006I5SB/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

    This review was written about the M97xE when it was selling for $140:wink:
    http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?ranlg&1092402094&read&3&4
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited April 2011
    I love this quote from the review on A'gon !!!:biggrin:
    (If your speaker cables cost more than your dog's hip replacement surgery, then I'm talkin' to you.)
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited April 2011
    http://community.klipsch.com/forums/t/120323.aspx


    check out the third cartoon down:biggrin:

    C. Rodrigues cracks me up with his audio funnies.
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,422
    edited April 2011
    gdb wrote: »
    http://community.klipsch.com/forums/t/120323.aspx


    check out the third cartoon down:biggrin:

    C. Rodrigues cracks me up with his audio funnies.

    What does this have to do with the OP's question? Start your own thread:rolleyes:....

    I second the thoughts about the Denon DL-110. They build a great cartridge for the money There are a couple Sumiko cartridges that can be had for that coun as well. The Needle Doctor out of Minneapolis will be your best place to look.


    John
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited April 2011
    What does this have to do with the OP's question? Start your own thread....

    Don't be one of these, John.:wink:

    Pissant is an epithet for an inconsequential, irrelevant, or worthless person, especially one who is irritating or contemptible out of proportion to his or her significance.
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  • Libertyc
    Libertyc Posts: 915
    edited April 2011
    Go with link that gdb posted...The Shure M97xE.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2011
    Another Shure M97xE user here, it's a nice sounding cart for the money.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited April 2011
    strong recommendation to get a Grado cartridge

    It is also made in the USA

    http://www.gradolabs.com/frameset_main.htm
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  • gfong
    gfong Posts: 1,079
    edited April 2011
    Do a few searches on the Ortofon 2M Red. nice cart for $99.00. Competes with the Audio Technica 120E and the Shure M97xE.

    All 3 carts listed have different sounds to them. Would be up to you to decide which one you like? The Audio Technica 120E has nice bass and very stable analog sound. 2M Red has nice bass and great highs and can track through tough records.

    I do not know about the Shure as I have not owned one but when I was looking for carts it got mentioned in reviews along with the other 2 I mentioned.

    I have owned the AT and the Ortofon and currently using a Ortofon 2M Blue.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2011
    The Shure has a warm sound to it.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited April 2011
    I fondly remember Grado's when I was serious about vinyl but their unshielded motors had a tendancy to interact with some turntables with A/C motors causing hum.
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  • Timothy Smith
    Timothy Smith Posts: 764
    edited April 2011
    Thanks man.

    You folks are the best!

    Tim
    Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited April 2011
    Another vote for the Shure.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited April 2011
    Got any extra Thorens headshells for sale?:smile:
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  • Timothy Smith
    Timothy Smith Posts: 764
    edited April 2011
    gdb wrote: »
    Got any extra Thorens headshells for sale?:smile:

    I wish.

    It would be nice to swap out cartridges on headshells for comparison and just have to readjust the counterweight and anti-skate.

    The few times I have seen used headshells, they were asking the better part of the $124 (new) I paid for the THorens TD-160 back in the mid 70's.
    Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
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  • DeadFeat1
    DeadFeat1 Posts: 51
    edited April 2011
    All of the suggestions look good. I would second the Grado suggestion
    Don't forget to enjoy the music...
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  • JPSmario
    JPSmario Posts: 142
    edited April 2011
    had a shure's for years (M91ED, then V15 Type II), switched to Grado a few years ago and haven't looked back. cost more, but was money well spent.
    Good luck
    Dual 1229/Grado Gold/Rotel RCD1070/RC995/RB980BX/Pioneer 7100/Denon DRM710/Monster HTS3600MKII/PolkAudio SDA2B/TL's
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  • Timothy Smith
    Timothy Smith Posts: 764
    edited April 2011
    I ended up buying the Shure M97xE thru Amazon for $54.

    Sounds great. Better than I remember LP's ever sounding, but I suppose my equipment has changed for the better (except the Thorens turntable which has stayed the same for 30+ years) since I was last playing vinyl with any frequency.

    Thanks again for your help everyone.

    Tim
    Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited April 2011
    I'm using a Shure V-15 Type III on my Thorens TD-160 with Mission 774 Mk I arm and it sounds awesome. The Mission arm is a recent aquisition and mod but totally worth it. That cart should work great on the original Thorens arm.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
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  • JuanR
    JuanR Posts: 718
    edited April 2011
    I use a Shure M44-7 on my Technics SL1200M3D, and it sounds good. But I am also curious to see how this compares to the Denon DL-110 or Shure M97xE. Can anyone give me a comparison on the M44-7 vs the other two I mentioned?

    I'm looking to try one of them out but not sure which one to grab (Denon DL-110 or Shure M97xE).

    Thanks

    Juan
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  • newrival
    newrival Posts: 2,017
    edited April 2011
    Tim what about that skeleton transcriptor?? :)
    design is where science and art break even.
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  • Timothy Smith
    Timothy Smith Posts: 764
    edited April 2011
    newrival wrote: »
    Tim what about that skeleton transcriptor?? :)

    Still have it but I haven't played a single record on it.

    It is a thing of beauty though. All kinds of stereo stuff in the basement, but guests invariable stop and say "what the heck is that?"

    I will take a picture and post it.
    Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
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