What cartridge?

[Al ears]

Certainly no more than £250

*Edit* sorry, I was going by the prices a couple of years ago. I suppose, with a heavy heart, add another £100 on the above price. Anything below £350 is preferable.

Indeed cartridge prices have shot up over the years which makes my usual recommendation of Nagaoka pretty much out of the question these days. They had a huge price hike a few years ago .
The new range of cartridges from MOFI are getting good reviews, and MOFI know a thing or two about vinyl playback.
The Goldring 1042 is highly recommended if you can find one for a decent price.
The Audio Technica AT740ML is pretty decent and cheaper than Goldring

 

[plastic penguin]

Indeed cartridge prices have shot up over the years which makes my usual recommendation of Nagaoka pretty much out of the question these days. They had a huge price hike a few years ago .
The new range of cartridges from MOFI are getting good reviews, and MOFI know a thing or two about vinyl playback.
The Goldring 1042 is highly recommended if you can find one for a decent price.
The Audio Technica AT740ML is pretty decent and cheaper than Goldring

What hasn't shot up in price?

Always liked Goldring, going back to the late 70s/early 80s when I had the G800 on my Garrard. They seem to be consistently good for the money.

 

[plastic penguin]

I heard the 2m bronze on a gyro se. Sounded excellent. it Was after hearing this setup that I upgraded my turntable.

Isn't your Marantz table a re-badged Clearaudio Emotion?

 

[Al ears]

What hasn't shot up in price?

Always liked Goldring, going back to the late 70s/early 80s when I had the G800 on my Garrard. They seem to be consistently good for the money.

They are indeed and the 1042 is an excellent all rounder that has been available for years for good reasons.

 

[Al ears]

Isn't your Marantz table a re-badged Clearaudio Emotion?

Don't think it's simply a re-badge deck, I know they made some modifications like the feet for instance

 

[plastic penguin]

Don't think it's simply a re-badge deck, I know they made some modifications like the feet for instance

I'm sure Marantz have made tweaks to the Clearaudio Emotion, but essentially it's a Clearaudio with a different badge.

Using a car analogy the Skoda Octavia is a VW Golf with a different body.

 

[bigfish786]

Isn't your Marantz table a re-badged Clearaudio Emotion?

It’s definitely a close relative. They share a lot of parts. Not a bad thing really. 😊

 

[plastic penguin]

The 3 carts in the running is another Clearaudio, Goldring 1042 and Nagaoka MP-110, although not sure how much of an upgrade, if any, the Nag is.

 

[nopiano]

The 3 carts in the running is another Clearaudio, Goldring 1042 and Nagaoka MP-110, although not sure how much of an upgrade, if any, the Nag is.

I’m afraid I’d not rate it alongside the other two. Smooth and pleasant, but forgettable is roughly my take.

You had the Goldring 2500 which is more like the Nag MP-500 - and that is about double your budget now!

 

[plastic penguin]

I’m afraid I’d not rate it alongside the other two. Smooth and pleasant, but forgettable is roughly my take.

You had the Goldring 2500 which is more like the Nag MP-500 - and that is about double your budget now!

Yep, the 2500 is more than I can afford, the Nag MP-200 looks enticing but around £400-odd that sits uncomfortable for me.

I have to be realistic, it's more about VFM.

 

[Al ears]

Yep, the 2500 is more than I can afford, the Nag MP-200 looks enticing but around £400-odd that sits uncomfortable for me.

I have to be realistic, it's more about VFM.

The Goldring 1042 or one of the Audio Technica range would be a safe bet in that case.

 

[plastic penguin]

The Goldring 1042 or one of the Audio Technica range would be a safe bet in that case.

Thanks. What AT would you recommend?

 

[Al ears]

Thanks. What AT would you recommend?

Think I mentioned it before, the VM740ML if budget stretches that far.

 

[plastic penguin]

Think I mentioned it before, the VM740ML if budget stretches that far.

Okay, I'll investigate.

Ta!

 

[plastic penguin]

Think I mentioned it before, the VM740ML if budget stretches that far.

Al, I noticed on your sig you have a Benz cart. I've seen cheaper ones in the similar price bracket as the Goldring and other MM carts. Any views at all?

Benz Micro MC Gold Moving Coil Cartridge

Benz Micro MC Gold Moving Coil Cartridge This budget performers retain more than a little of the famous Benz musicality and accuracy. The MC Gold is a 0.4mV low-output moving coil cartridge. A real smoothy - Michael Fremer - Stereophile, August 96 All the Series 2 advancements create a synergy...

www.analogueseduction.net

 

[Al ears]

Al, I noticed on your sig you have a Benz cart. I've seen cheaper ones in the similar price bracket as the Goldring and other MM carts. Any views at all?

Benz Micro MC Gold Moving Coil Cartridge

Benz Micro MC Gold Moving Coil Cartridge This budget performers retain more than a little of the famous Benz musicality and accuracy. The MC Gold is a 0.4mV low-output moving coil cartridge. A real smoothy - Michael Fremer - Stereophile, August 96 All the Series 2 advancements create a synergy...

www.analogueseduction.net

Plenty.
MCs have their place but I wouldn't buy one unless you can afford a low output version and this means, normally, buying an external phono preamp as well. The one you show is low output.
The issue with high output MCs is they aren't particularly good when compared to similar priced MMs and you cannot simply buy a replacement stylus if accidents happen you have to buy a whole new cartridge.

 

[plastic penguin]

Plenty.
MCs have their place but I wouldn't buy one unless you can afford a low output version and this means, normally, buying an external phono preamp as well. The one you show is low output.
The issue with high output MCs is they aren't particularly good when compared to similar priced MMs and you cannot simply buy a replacement stylus if accidents happen you have to buy a whole new cartridge.

Okay. Understood.

 

[plastic penguin]

Plenty.
MCs have their place but I wouldn't buy one unless you can afford a low output version and this means, normally, buying an external phono preamp as well.

My amp has a switchable built-in stage, not sure if that's good enough. For MMs it's very good but never tried it with an MC.

 

[Al ears]

My amp has a switchable built-in stage, not sure if that's good enough. For MMs it's very good but never tried it with an MC.

Yep, noted. You would have to find out what sort of moving coil it can handle, most can only accept high output type.
You may find it can handle a low output MC but most amps cannot.
That said, even if it can, you still have to accept if you damage the cantilever or the stylus eventually wears out you will have to buy a whole new cartridge.

 

[plastic penguin]

Yep, noted. You would have to find out what sort of moving coil it can handle, most can only accept high output type.
You may find it can handle a low output MC but most amps cannot.
That said, even if it can, you still have to accept if you damage the cantilever or the stylus eventually wears out you will have to buy a whole new cartridge.

Makes you wonder why they fitted a switchable stage. They are not the sort of company that adds something just for the sake of it, and a switchable stage of a amp of that price was (and still is) quite rare.

I've noted your suggestions. It will be a MM but just dipping my toe in the possible options.

Thanks.

 

[Al ears]

Makes you wonder why they fitted a switchable stage. They are not the sort of company that adds something just for the sake of it, and a switchable stage of a amp of that price was (and still is) quite rare.

I've noted your suggestions. It will be a MM but just dipping my toe in the possible options.

Thanks.

The Leema might very well be able to cope with low output moving coils but you'd have to check.

 

[plastic penguin]

The Leema might very well be able to cope with low output moving coils but you'd have to check.

Will check with Leema themselves (if I find the time).

Cheers