I have a Rega RP3 with the factory-fitted Elys 2 cartridge, which has given me much joy over the past 18 months. However, it's coming time to replace the cartridge, and I'd like to upgrade it to see how much I can improve the listening experience from my system. The obvious upgrade is of course the Rega Exact, but I've been led to believe that I can do better.
A lot of comments on this forum make me think that Nagaoka might be my best bet, but I'd like to tell you what I'm looking (or rather, listening) for, and give you all chance to tell me what you think would be the best cartridge for me, and why.
My system (RP3 -> Brio-R -> Monitor Audio Silver RX6) is just on the acceptable side of being too exciting - possible a result of running 4-ohm speakers, or possibly because they are nearer to the wall than is ideal). So I don't want a cartridge that is going to offer more boom and bang.
Really I want something which is fairly neutral and detailed, giving lots of clarity and helping each instrument sing out. But I don't want it to clinically reproduce the recording with all its mastering oddities and pressing mishaps - it's the music I want to come through in all its detail. I guess this is what people refer to as 'musicality'. And if it can be forgiving of clicks and pops, all the better!
The options I've identified so far, from comments here and searching dealers' listings and reviews, are:
Rega Exact - £255
Nagaoka MP-200 - £279 (stylus £169)
Grado Reference Platinum Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge - £238
Benz Micro MC Silver High Output Moving Coil Cartridge - £275
Goldring 2400 Moving Magnet Cartridge - £293 (stylus £243)
Clearaudio Concept MM V2 Cartridge - £150
Clearaudio Aurum Classics Woods V2A MM Cartridge - £160
Dynavector 10 x 5 High Output Moving Coil cartridge - £349
Sumiko Blue Point Special EVO III MC Cartridge - £295
Sumiko Blue Point No.2. High Output Moving Coil Cartridge - £199
Ortofon Quintet Red MC Cartridge - £199
I'd love to hear which of these - or another cartridge not in the list - you think would be my best bet and, most importantly, why you think it's the best. I think all the MC carts in there are high-output, so I wouldn't need a separate phono stage. Obviously I'm attracted to cartridges (such as Nagaoka and Goldring) for which replacement styli can be bought, as that will work out cheaper in the long run. Some of those more expensive ones such as the Dynavector and Sumiko EVO III I could only contemplate if it's possible to replace the stylus (or get a new stylus inserted by a dealer) to reduce the price when replacing it in future. If you know that this is possible with any of the other carts you'd recommend, then please mention this.
I've never had chance to listen to any of these, so would value detailed comments on what makes each really good (or not so good). And if you think any of them are too good for my setup, please say.
There's a possibility, if I can order direct from Japan, that I could afford a Nagaoka MP-300 or even MP-500. Would this be worthwhile, or would it be pointless putting such a good a cartridge on my setup?
A lot of comments on this forum make me think that Nagaoka might be my best bet, but I'd like to tell you what I'm looking (or rather, listening) for, and give you all chance to tell me what you think would be the best cartridge for me, and why.
My system (RP3 -> Brio-R -> Monitor Audio Silver RX6) is just on the acceptable side of being too exciting - possible a result of running 4-ohm speakers, or possibly because they are nearer to the wall than is ideal). So I don't want a cartridge that is going to offer more boom and bang.
Really I want something which is fairly neutral and detailed, giving lots of clarity and helping each instrument sing out. But I don't want it to clinically reproduce the recording with all its mastering oddities and pressing mishaps - it's the music I want to come through in all its detail. I guess this is what people refer to as 'musicality'. And if it can be forgiving of clicks and pops, all the better!
The options I've identified so far, from comments here and searching dealers' listings and reviews, are:
Rega Exact - £255
Nagaoka MP-200 - £279 (stylus £169)
Grado Reference Platinum Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge - £238
Benz Micro MC Silver High Output Moving Coil Cartridge - £275
Goldring 2400 Moving Magnet Cartridge - £293 (stylus £243)
Clearaudio Concept MM V2 Cartridge - £150
Clearaudio Aurum Classics Woods V2A MM Cartridge - £160
Dynavector 10 x 5 High Output Moving Coil cartridge - £349
Sumiko Blue Point Special EVO III MC Cartridge - £295
Sumiko Blue Point No.2. High Output Moving Coil Cartridge - £199
Ortofon Quintet Red MC Cartridge - £199
I'd love to hear which of these - or another cartridge not in the list - you think would be my best bet and, most importantly, why you think it's the best. I think all the MC carts in there are high-output, so I wouldn't need a separate phono stage. Obviously I'm attracted to cartridges (such as Nagaoka and Goldring) for which replacement styli can be bought, as that will work out cheaper in the long run. Some of those more expensive ones such as the Dynavector and Sumiko EVO III I could only contemplate if it's possible to replace the stylus (or get a new stylus inserted by a dealer) to reduce the price when replacing it in future. If you know that this is possible with any of the other carts you'd recommend, then please mention this.
I've never had chance to listen to any of these, so would value detailed comments on what makes each really good (or not so good). And if you think any of them are too good for my setup, please say.
There's a possibility, if I can order direct from Japan, that I could afford a Nagaoka MP-300 or even MP-500. Would this be worthwhile, or would it be pointless putting such a good a cartridge on my setup?
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