Recommendations for a new Stereo Phono Cartridge

[eThink]

I am looking for recommendations for a new Stereo Phono Cartridge.

In the past I have used the Audio-Technica AT-140ML with my Philips GA-312 turntable. I have been very pleased with this combination.

The Preamp is the Harman Kardon HK 725.
The speakers are ads 520.

I generally listen to 19th & 20th Century Classical Music, Jazz and New Age.

I was planning to get the Audio Technica AT-440ML.

What other cartridges should I consider?

[car67]

Hey Steve,

Saw the pics on the other post - nice collection of turntables!:)
The HK looks the business.

Have you been over to Audio Asylum's vinyl forum? There's heaps of discussion there about the AT440ML especially in comparison to the Grado Black which seems to be it's main competitor at that price. There are quite a few Grado Black owners here and mostly happy, I would say.:) Have a Green myself and like it very much.
It's a matter of preference of course, and the AT is a very popular cart. I have thought about giving it a try.

welcome to the the forum too!

Jack

[bully]

After nearly choking when I was looking over cartridges and their 2002 prices, I've settled for replacing styli.
By a stroke of luck, partsexpress happened to have one of the styli I needed, and it was a fraction of the cost of anywhere else I looked!
But to replace the Shure V15 Type IV styli, heck, that's gonna cost a LOT more than the dang cartridge cost when I got it!!
Ah, that's on a TT I haven't had out of the box in over 15 years at least. Stylus is probably got plenty of hours left anyway.
I've liked AT way back when, too. Have a cartridge that would need a new stylus, probably a 25 year old AT, wasn't TOTL, but I think it was second. I'd have to find it, but I have seen it since I moved to Lincoln (1990).
Many of the guys here have got Grados, and I haven't heard any naysayers.

good hunting,
pete

[Drybasement]

A Grado Red for under $100. That's what I bought and me thinks it's a pretty good cartridge. I think the Blacks start at $49.

Good luck with your decision.

[Fear3000]

Originally posted by eThink
I was planning to get the Audio Technica AT-440ML.

What other cartridges should I consider?

Other than the Shure M97xE, there isn't much else in your price range. It's kinda funny that more cartridges geared for music are available between $1K-$2K than $100-$200.

The Grado's are OK, with the Black in particular being a good value, but they don't track nearly as well as the AT or the Shure, nor can they match them in resolution. The AT is a fairly vivid and "sunny" sounding cartridge, which spotlights recorded detail and presents music in a more exciting fashion compared to the Shure. The Shure tracks slightly better, and is more laid back sounding. The AT also features a micro-line stylus that's slightly more sensitive to setup. That said, given your turntable I'd seriously consider the Shure.

Best Wishes,
Felix

www.audioannex.com

[bully]

Thanks for the comments, Felix.
I'm at the point in time that I've discovered the dang styli today cost more (in some cases, like with the Shure V15-IV) than I paid for the cartidge "some years ago."
So I've gone the route to replace styli. Whew. I've got some nice turntables, but my old cartridges, with new styli, will be fine. They were very good then, they'll be very good now. Been a long time since I really listened to the ol' record collection.
The two styli I've just ordered are for AT cartridges. One I just received was for the Shure M95HE (just under the V15 about 20 years ago?). The V15 is mounted on a table that has been boxed (OBM) since before 1988. It may have less than 200 hours, probably much less, I think I had replaced the cartridge not long before I packed 'er up.

Pete
Denon DP-47F
Technics SL-1300
Technics SL-23
Optonica RP-4705
Fisher MT-6330

[Marko]

On my HK T60, I went with a Grado Gold, a new one found on the web for below $100...

It is an excellent performer. Had some hum when I used my Fisher 500c in the system, but the hum vanished when I went to a HK 730, and later to a Sansui 9090DB....

When pushed to very high volumes with no record playing, you can notice some noise floor, but that may be caused by my unshielded interconnect cables, so near the other wires/power cords in the back of the area.

For vocals, jazz, and symphony, the grado gold is terrific....the tt had an older lowend Grado when I got it....I noticed a way improved definition and musicality result, with the new gold, with improved weight and scale, and broader deeper soundstage.

hth!

Marko

[Moogfan]

One thing I've noticed about the Grado Prestige line of cartridges, they require substantial break-in. My Grado Black sounded like &%$*( when I first got it (bright, harsh, almost no bass) but after it started to settle in the bass picked up and (especially for the price) the detail is fantastic. Recommended for low to medium mass arms (and I've never had a tracking issue, although this has been mentioned by some -- it may be more of a cartridge/tonearm compliance issue).