...that's good with highs and lows. After searching for cart ideas on this forum, many of the carts stress good to excellent high pick-up but nothing about low end performance. Is it to much to ask for a cart that's good from lows to highs in this price range? Maybe someone here can help me sort this out.

The $100 limit keeps you in Shure M97xE, Audio Technica 440 MLa, Grado Blue or Ortofon OM10 territory. None of those is a bad deal. Relaxing the $100 limit to $150 will get you the Ortofon OM20, Stanton 681EEE, and Grado Silver. The technology in the Shure and Audio Technica (nude mounted stylus with lower tip mass) make them the better bet in the lower price bracket and actually makes them more competitors of the Stanton and the OM20. The AT even gives you a Microridge type stylus, a steal at the price. Shure needs to counter with an M97xMR.

I do miss the ADC XLM. That used to be the best cartridge in that bracket and deserved to have survived.

Fernando

I am a big fan of the Grado's for the reasons you seek. Very good definition throughout the range. All of the cartridges suggested are fine, it probably comes down to personal taste.

Some claim the Ortofon OM10 Super is light on bass. I say :bs:!
If there's any bass on the LP, it will be heard, lemme tell ya!
Tom

Can be had for under $70 without a lot of searching. You'll be pleased. -pfc

...that's good with highs and lows. After searching for cart ideas on this forum, many of the carts stress good to excellent high pick-up but nothing about low end performance. Is it to much to ask for a cart that's good from lows to highs in this price range? Maybe someone here can help me sort this out.

Audio Technica 440 MLa does seem to get an awful lot of very good press. I have never cared for AT cartridges, but this one is cheap enough, and buzz good enough, that I may have to try one.

The Shure M97xe is good sounding for the $. I set my daughter up with one in a foundling Pioneer PL-12D, and it sounds good.

I like the Grado sound, though... my first recommendation would be "whichever Grado you like in your price range" (there are several under or around $100, last I knew).

Grado Red is looking good so far. A DJ friend suggest Stanton but I'm no DJ LOL.

How would you guys describe "the Grado sound" ?

Any preferences for cartridges to fit in with early Mac SS (MC2100 with a C-504 pre) and Rect III's/and/or Bozak 301s?

I listen to classical, looking to find that great old vinyl sound -- warm but not blurry.

The Grado sound (IMNSHO):
Warm, rich, and lively. Very "organic" (sort of like tubes) :-) Probably not the last word in accuracy, but a very nice tone.

I have a Grado F3 and can't make up my mind if the highs are clear and natural or unnaturally raised. My issue with the Grado is more an engineering one. All manufacturers use a more expensive "nude" or direct mount to the cantilever in their better models to reduce the effective tip mass and inprove high frequency tracking. In the Ortofon line this happens when you move up to the OM20 at $150. Shure and Audio Technica give you this technology for less than $100 with the M97xE and AT 120E. Grado, however wants $500 for a Sonata to provide this technology. I can't help but think that the Grado should provide this at least from the Silver on up. On the other hand they have figured out how to create a generator with only 10% of the inductance of everyone else, significantly raising the electrical resonance frequency. I guess nobody makes the best at everything cartridge.

Fernando

I have had all 3 of these, a Grado G3, Shure M97xE, and the AT 440MLa. All 3 are nice sounding, but depending on how your system sounds will determine which one will match up best. Is your system on the bright side, or is it more laid back, or is it in the middle. If your system is bright go with the Shure, if it is laid back go with either of the other two. My prefrence is the AT 440MLa
it
is one of the best sounding cart. I have ever heard especially for the money.


Jay

Don't dismiss the Stantons out of hand. They make plenty of carts that are not of the DJ types. I agree with jcmusic your system and your ears are going to be the deciding factor. Good luck.

Don't dismiss the Stantons out of hand. They make plenty of carts that are not of the DJ types. I agree with jcmusic your system and your ears are going to be the deciding factor. Good luck.

Wasn't dismissing anything. Like most I'll have to experiment with different set-ups until I find what I'm looking for. :D