So, how do you put together a cartridge that, in this writer's opinion, can compete with the best moving magnet cartridges available today for under $200? Its not that hard, really. And, if you get a little luck on your side, you might be able to put this together for far less than $200.
At the heart of the matter is the Stanton 890 SA DJ cartridge. That's right, its a DJ cartridge. Kevin at KAB sells this cartridge with a Pickering D22E stylus, and it's supposed to sound very good. Why a DJ cartridge? Well, this particular DJ cartridge started its life many years ago as a Stanton 881. The 881 was one of the best moving magnet cartridges of its era, and holds up well against the competition today. The 890 SA, therefore, can use the same styli that are available for the 881.
Note, the 890 SA is usually sold in pairs. However, you can find single units available for under $80, such as is shown here:
http://www.topdjgear.com/stanton-890-sa.html
However, if you get lucky, you might find a DJ retiring some of his/her gear, like I did, and pick up the 890 used for a cheap. The stock stylus is a conical, which really doesn't sound too bad. A bit brassy in the highs for my tastes, but it could last someone a while until the funds become available for the second part of this equation - the stylus upgrade.
To me, one of the best available options is the Shibata stylus available from the likes of Jico, LP Gear and others. LP Gear also makes a hyper-elliptical stylus which is supposed to sound very nice as well. You can also pick up the Pickering stylus from KABUSA, though he's got less than 100 of these on hand.
Prices for styli?
JICO Shibata: $87.00
LP Gear Shibata: $99.95
LP Gear Pickering D3000 Stylus (Shibata): $86.95
LP Gear Hyper-Elliptical: $49.95
So, you can get into the cartridge for $79.95 or less, and the stylus for $99.95 or less. For that price, you get a cartridge that, I think, competes with the best there is in the moving magnet realm, and many in the moving coil realm, for a fraction of what many of those best of breed cartridges are going for today.
At the heart of the matter is the Stanton 890 SA DJ cartridge. That's right, its a DJ cartridge. Kevin at KAB sells this cartridge with a Pickering D22E stylus, and it's supposed to sound very good. Why a DJ cartridge? Well, this particular DJ cartridge started its life many years ago as a Stanton 881. The 881 was one of the best moving magnet cartridges of its era, and holds up well against the competition today. The 890 SA, therefore, can use the same styli that are available for the 881.
Note, the 890 SA is usually sold in pairs. However, you can find single units available for under $80, such as is shown here:
http://www.topdjgear.com/stanton-890-sa.html
However, if you get lucky, you might find a DJ retiring some of his/her gear, like I did, and pick up the 890 used for a cheap. The stock stylus is a conical, which really doesn't sound too bad. A bit brassy in the highs for my tastes, but it could last someone a while until the funds become available for the second part of this equation - the stylus upgrade.
To me, one of the best available options is the Shibata stylus available from the likes of Jico, LP Gear and others. LP Gear also makes a hyper-elliptical stylus which is supposed to sound very nice as well. You can also pick up the Pickering stylus from KABUSA, though he's got less than 100 of these on hand.
Prices for styli?
JICO Shibata: $87.00
LP Gear Shibata: $99.95
LP Gear Pickering D3000 Stylus (Shibata): $86.95
LP Gear Hyper-Elliptical: $49.95
So, you can get into the cartridge for $79.95 or less, and the stylus for $99.95 or less. For that price, you get a cartridge that, I think, competes with the best there is in the moving magnet realm, and many in the moving coil realm, for a fraction of what many of those best of breed cartridges are going for today.
