Advice needed on buying a new phono cartridge.

[admin_exported]

Hi,

Can anyone help me. I want to buy a new phono cartridge for my Project RPM 5 turntable and have a budget of up to £300.Any suggestions or advice would be welcome.

Thanks,

Ralph

 

[Al ears]

Hi GadgetMan23 welcome to the forum.

Might I suggest if this post was re-posted in the Turntables etc, section of this forum you might get a few more responses.

Could I ask what cartridge you are using at the moment and what you would require from the upgrade. I presume you are looking at a Moving Magnet type for that sort of money. Are you running your turntable into the phono section of an integrated amplifier or what?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi chaps , thanks for the replies.

Alears,I have an old Nagaoka MP11 that someone gave me and although I like the sound,I want something better.

I like what I've heard about the Nagaoka MP500 but it is way over my budget at £500!!

Has anyone heard any of the other Nagaokas.Ones that would fall within my £300 budget.

Sadly it seems quite difficult to find shops that are willing to demonstrate a range of different cartridges these days

 

[Al ears]

Hi,

Whilst Nagaoka good in it's day they have been bested by other manufacturers today when comparing pricewise.

I agree Goldrings (ie the 2500) are good but suggest going for the best Ortofon you can buy for your budget, or try for a Roksan Corus Black.

Will you be considering second-hand cartridges or not?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Alears,

thanks for the advice.It's much appreciated.

As to s/h cartridges,I guess I would go for one if someone was able to demonstrate it.

Had you any examples in mind I should look for ?

 

[Al ears]

I only suggested second hand if you were interested in getting a moving coil type cartridge.

Still do not have information on your amplifier so I would stick with moving magnet.

Others I would suggest are Grado Reference Platinum at around £255 and Goldring 2400.

If you want the convenience of a cartridge for which you can change your own stylus if you have a mishap then I would stick with the Goldrings.

 

[Anonymous]

If you will be fitting the cartridge yourself, the Linn Adikt can be installed in the Project arm without needing to faff around with protractors etc.

It's made by Goldring I think, and is the best moving magnet cartidge I've heard. Mind you, I've not heard that many.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi again,

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions but I think I've found something perfect that's well within my budget .

A friend has just given me a demo' of his Audio technica AT-440 cartridge and frankly I was blown away!

A really detailed and neutral sound.Superb.

Better still I can get it for about £130!

 

[Al ears]

Sorted!!