Figure a budget of between $200-300 what cart is a good match for this table?

Anything wrong with the Shure M97xE that came on it?

Anything wrong with the Shure M97xE that came on it?

Yeah, I don't like it.

Yeah, I don't like it.

Gotcha. The Technics series in that "family" use slightly higher mass tonearms, but they are very good arms. I would think a higher-end MM like an Ortofon 2M Blue or Bronze would do a nice job. Or maybe one of the Denon MC's like the DL-103.

I had the table sold but the deal didn't work out so I've decided to keep it and put a better cart on it. Decisions decisions...

With a moderate to medium heavy-ish arm, you want to stay away from higher compliance cartridges M97 & v15, 440MLa and the like). My guess would be the Denon HOMCs would be a nice match?

With a moderate to medium heavy-ish arm, you want to stay away from higher compliance cartridges M97 & v15, 440MLa and the like). My guess would be the Denon HOMCs would be a nice match?

Something like this?

http://www.needledoctor.com/Denon-DL103?sc=2&category=369

No, more like this:

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=DENONDL160&Category_Code=DENONCART

I've used a Grado Black on my 1700Mk2 with good results and no hum. With your price range, a Grado Gold might answer.

I have a Grado RS-1 on my Pioneer TT and love it. I'll swap it over to the Technics tomorrow and see how it sounds. If it goes well I may consider another Grado :yes:

I've used the 1st generation Sumiko Blue Point HOMC on my SL-1700MK2 in the past and it sounded fantastic and tracked magnificently. But it was used when I got it (a freebie given to me) and it's worn out, so I'll eventually buy the latest Blue Point No.2 cartridge to replace my old Stanton 981HZS I'm using now.

Any of the AT's or Grados . I've found in the last year trying most of that series of Technics 1600 1700 and 1800MKII that do to the lower capacitance cables The AT's shine where some others ShureM97XE just don't sound as good on those tables. Now don't get me wrong the Shure sounds great when using higher capacitance cables.

Any of the AT's or Grados . I've found in the last year trying most of that series of Technics 1600 1700 and 1800MKII that do to the lower capacitance cables The AT's shine where some others ShureM97XE just don't sound as good on those tables. Now don't get me wrong the Shure sounds great when using higher capacitance cables.

I got this table with a low-hours M97xE on it and it just does not sound good to my ears. The table itself is great so the hunt for a different cart has begun.