hifitommy
Super Member
hugz---"The Audio Technica "AT30GTR" is available for EUR195 on ebay (brand new in box). It's a package deal including the AT30E MC cartridge, the AT630 Step up transformer and LS-12 headshell. It's from europe, so no customs charges.."
in rereading the first post from Luis, i see that you don't need a SUT so the AT30 would be even a better low cost MC starter if there is a source for one. LPGear has this AT F2 at for just under $200: https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATF2.html that seems to me to be very enticing.
Luis-i would hesitate at getting a denon 103 as the stylus is conical and can't trace the high frequencies as accurately as an elliptical. it is a physical limitation. the 103s used to be available with elliptical and shibata shaped styli but not these days. note that this is my personal preference on an intellectual (supposed on my part) level.
if you go MC, you would have to have the cartridge re-tipped from someone like Soundsmith and would be without a cartridge while it was gone, that is if you had worn out the stylus or had broken the cantilever.
for that reason alone, i have multiple cartridges acquired over the years. the cheapest grado is good to have on hand for the event of cartridge/stylus disaster. OR, the audiotechnica AT95e available from Amazon for less than $50 delivered. the at95e sounds way better than it should for the money.
i hate to say it but the 2Mred leaves me cold. i kind of put it in the same boat as the sumiko oyster cart which imparts the same feeling on me and my friends.
i will repeat my recommendation for the ATF2MC at $200 as being just what you may be looking for in your quest for a first MC.
in rereading the first post from Luis, i see that you don't need a SUT so the AT30 would be even a better low cost MC starter if there is a source for one. LPGear has this AT F2 at for just under $200: https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATF2.html that seems to me to be very enticing.
Luis-i would hesitate at getting a denon 103 as the stylus is conical and can't trace the high frequencies as accurately as an elliptical. it is a physical limitation. the 103s used to be available with elliptical and shibata shaped styli but not these days. note that this is my personal preference on an intellectual (supposed on my part) level.
if you go MC, you would have to have the cartridge re-tipped from someone like Soundsmith and would be without a cartridge while it was gone, that is if you had worn out the stylus or had broken the cantilever.
for that reason alone, i have multiple cartridges acquired over the years. the cheapest grado is good to have on hand for the event of cartridge/stylus disaster. OR, the audiotechnica AT95e available from Amazon for less than $50 delivered. the at95e sounds way better than it should for the money.
i hate to say it but the 2Mred leaves me cold. i kind of put it in the same boat as the sumiko oyster cart which imparts the same feeling on me and my friends.
i will repeat my recommendation for the ATF2MC at $200 as being just what you may be looking for in your quest for a first MC.
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. I see no check out button.
