Budget phono cartridge

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Aug 10, 2019
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I've recently unpacked my 37 year old Technics 1500 SL turntable. Unfortunately my equally old AKG ZLM and Shure V14RS haven't aged well and have had suspension failures leaving me with a Sony VL 7E.Not a bad cartridge but due to its age I want to purchase reasonably priced cart, say less than $150 US. I'm thinking Denon 110. Any thoughts? Will it be an ok match for the S shaped tone arm?
 
Not sure on the capabilities on this deck, but Denon DL110 would be good, as would Audio Technica AT110E (I know a couple of people who use this cart on high end decks from time to time).
 
AT-110E has been discontinued unfortunately.

Probable options are DL-110 (as long as your turntable platter isn't steel. I think the SL1500 has an alloy platter), AT-120E and Ortofon 2M Red.

*EDIT* As to compatibility with an S-Shaped arm, I've used the DL-110 in my PL-12d with really good results, and this has the same SME cartridge mount as your SL.

The DL-110 is the warmest, with the 2M at the more analytical (brighter) end. The AT is somewhere in between. Look for around £75 for any of them.

The Grados are another option, but I can't vouch for them having not heard them...
 

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