Recommendation for a TT cart on the cheap

polkfarmboy

Question for you teetee lovers on the forum. I am looking for a cart to just basically throw on a turntable that will get gifted for Christmas. The cheaper the better as it can always be upgraded later

Nightfall

M97xE

https://www.amazon.com/Shure-M97xE-High-Performance-Magnetic-Cartridge/dp/B00006I5SB

polkfarmboy

That's cheap but a little too cheap, maybe something that cost a little more and used would be better.

txcoastal1

Careful with used especially with your record...just saying

Set a budget

lightman1

Mine!

hochpt21

I've got a Grado Gold I may be interested in parting with. The current stylus has about 300 hours on it, so plenty of life left. I also have a NIB replacement stylus for it.

PM me if it is something you would seriously be interested in..

Nightfall

Denon DL-110 HOMC, used to sell for $300 now $188 + shipping from Japan

https://www.amazon.com/DENON-DL-110-High-Output-Moving-Cartridge/dp/B0007DA226/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481608531&sr=8-1&keywords=dl-110

Dawgfish

PFB, what table/tonearm are you going to be running this on? I ask because you want to match the mass of the tonearm to the compliance of the cartridge. That would make a huge influence on recommending a cart.

polkfarmboy

Its this thing here lol https://www.amazon.com/Numark-Groove-Tool-Cartridge-Stylus/dp/B0002E3DHG/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_10?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=E5JZ4925HRKQZMQ8693D

Dawgfish

Clicked on the link and it was a cartridge. Was that what you were intending to show in the link?

mhardy6647

EDIT - common sense prevailed

Dawgfish

Lol! Seems so@

Dawgfish

So! That is.

polkfarmboy

The cart I listed was that same gt one and on the Amazon page there is a silver add on and that's what looks like is on it. I am still looking at cheap used ones in the $150 range lol. I feel like Scrooge for not spending more but my Father Christmas tab is insane and I keep spending more every year and it's outa hand now. No one ever gets me Schitt !!

motorhead43026

You can't beat the M97XE that Nightfall mentioned. Spend $50.00 extra if makes you feel better. I run one, it is decent cartridge.

gudnoyez

I would take voltz up on that Grado Gold and spare stylus.

dromunds

That Denon DL 110 that Nightfall mentioned is real good also.

Dawgfish

Yeah any of the above mentioned carts are really good for the money. The Ortofon 2m red is also in your budget and the 2m Blue is at the upper end of your budget. If you are looking for a warmer sound, the Grado and Shure mentioned above fit the bill. If you want a more neutral sound, the DL-110 and Ortofons lean more towards that way. One thing also to consider about the Ortofons, Grado, and Shure is you can get replacement and upgraded stylus for those carts. The Denon has to be retipped.

nooshinjohn

ClearAudio Goldfinger v2

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/cartridges-clearaudio-goldfinger-v2-statement-mc-cartridge-never-used-reduced-2016-12-08-analog-asia

It ships from Asia, so what could possibly go wrong?