Cartridge query
Author
Discussion

StescoG66

Original Poster:

2,384 posts

167 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
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I have just acquired a retro AR EB101 turntable - I await a pal to pick up and bring it up from London for me. Can’t wait....... it’s my first turntable in over 20 years and love the sound of good vinyl (my last deck was a Manticore Mantra/RB300 sacrificed at the altar of domestic harmony.....). Anyway, I digress.
Am totally out of touch with this part of the hi fi scene, and wondering what is out there these days in the realm of good cartridges that don’t cost a bomb. On my Manticore I had a lovely Audio Technica OC5LE moving coil, but my preamp won’t take MC. I have fond memories of an AT110E and a Nagaoka MP11 in my past, but I presume that things have moved on a bit now.
Any recommendations sub £100?

Slushbox

1,484 posts

129 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2018
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Audio Technica and Ortofon carts are widely available, prices to suit your ears.

The best sounding cart sub £100 I heard was the Goldring Elektra. The AT95EX was OK, but I preferred the Elektra. Very detailed and musical. Then I mangled the stylus and went back to the AT. :-)

There's a lot of price gouging now on pickups, so shop around.

AT: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Technica-AT95EX-PHO...

Elektra:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Goldring-Elektra-Moving-M...


telecat

8,528 posts

265 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2018
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I did ask this a while ago on a Hifi forum as I am looking to replace my much derided Linn K9. My Thoughts were the High output Eroica if you can afford it. If Not Most reckoned the Audio Note IO series to be a good step up for a MM cartridge. I found the MP11 a bit flat when I used it. The "old Guard" are easily surpassed these days providing you look around and have a decent budget.

Deranged Rover

4,419 posts

98 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
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For the £30 or so that it retails at, it's really difficult to better the Audio Technica AT-95E IMHO.

However, if you want to push the boat out a bit further, have a look at the Ortofon 2M Red.