What MC cartridge are you running ($750 or less)

Please share - also what TT / Phono stage are you running it on?

EDIT: If you have more than one, please share also, and if you care to make any comparison!

 

I have an Ortofon Quintet Blue. Preamp is a NAD C162. Other cartridges are GE VR 1000's input to Marantz PM5005 integrated amp.

 

Denon DL-160; about 100 hours on it

Technics SL-1200mkII with KAB tonearm damper and isonoe feet

No external phono preamp - using the internal on my integrated

 

Hana SH, Dynavector 10x5, Stanton 980ZLS either through a Nova II or modded Jolida 9

 

Sumiko Bluepoint(Linn LP12 w Linn Akito) Curently into a Musical Fidelity XLP
Denon Dl-103 (Garrard 103 w. Jelco 12") Currently into a Project Tube Box

I'm waiting for my Tom Evans microgroove to come back from repair!

 

Rega rp8 with ania
Transcendent Sound Phono
The Truth line stage

 

Below $750 I have a Denon DL103 and a Hana SL

 

Denon DL-110 (HOMC cart)

 

I have a 10X5. How does the Hana compare?

Jimi, how do you like the SL?

 

Ortofon MC 20 Super with Sapphire Cantilever and laser drilled microridge stylus.

$60 for body (needed retipping)
$450 for retip including replacement of aluminum cantilever with sapphire with MR stylus & rebuild of suspension

$510 Total

 

Denon Dl110 SL1200mk5 and MoFi StudioPhono

 

Denon 103 on a Rega RP6 into a Mytek Brooklyn. No upgraditis on this front end

 

I don't know, It is still in the box. I just bought it out of curiosity but I must find the right afternoon to swap pick-ups

 

Audio Technica OC9 ml II. Thorens TD-160/SME M2-9, BAT VK-P5
I also have a Sound Smith Aida being rebuilt. Picked up the body for $200. Rebuild $350.

 

Denon DL-103r w/hardwood body and AT-33PTG/II, Technics SL-1210MKII w/Jelco 750 arm and Mcintosh C-2500

 

AT OC9 ml II on an MMF7. Recently rewired the arm back to stock. Into a Musical Surroundings Phonomena II.

 

Hana SL into a Manley Chinook.

 

AT33PTGII, for the performance and the materials and construction you could almost call it a bargain at the circa $500 common street price.

 

OP here

Mine - DL-110, DL-103, At33Mono. MC Phono stage: Lounge LCR / Copla. Current TT's: - SL-1200MKii and SL-1200M3D.

But I have a new (well, new to me) Yamaha GT-2000 TT and want to add an MC Stereo cartridge that is different than the DL-103 (conical). I use the 103 for my older Stereo pressings.

So an elliptical or line contact - The current ones in the mix: AT-OC9/iii, AT-33PTGii, DL-301mkii.... even the AT-33ev.

AT-OC9/ii owners - do you have the ii and not the iii because that is what was available when you bought it, or did you seek out the ii? I have read a number of discussions comparing them, but never walked away with a clear "winner". Did you consider the PTG? (although I think it is not as widely available).

AT-33PTG owners - do you consider the OC9? What was the determining factor?

 

Denon DL-110

 

I stayed with the II even though the III was available. I didn't go with a PTG because I didn't want to spend extra money at the time. I was using an MLII that had an unexpected suspension issue after a night a drinking and spinning records. I don't remember doing anything to it but the next morning it was not right. After very little research, a replacement MLII was purchased. The decision was made solely on picking the devil I knew.

 

I haven't heard an OC9 in years, though my memory of the old original ones I heard was of an unpleasant brightness, so I have made no meaningful contemporary comparison. I think the OC9 weighs a gram more and has higher compliance too, so arm matching may be something to thing about in terms of one vs. another. I went from a 33EV -- with the eliptical stylus and aluminum cantilever, which I though was relatively warm for an AT MC and one of the first MC's I really loved, to the 33PTG and the PTG is better in every way -- much better high frequency tracking and smoothness with the line contact stylus, but requires more care in getting the azimuth and tracking angle right to eliminate any brightness and perfect the channel balance. The PTG IS easily available, but I suspect its only as a gray market import -- I mean, you can order 'em from Amazon sellers with Prime free shipping at around $500, but if you're in North America I don't think you can go to a dealer to buy one.

 

Thanks for your detailed analysis! I saw some similar comments on other forums... but of course like anything there is never a consensus!!! I own the AT-440mlb line contact I use for MM, and aware of the extra care in VTF, TF, skating to maximize performance.

Also YES on the "grey" market to get these - that is exactly how I bought my AT33Mono.... they are not "hard" to get, only mentioned because they are not mainstream US like the OC9.

Appreciate your viewpoints - definitely will weigh as I gather more data!

 

Goldring Eroica LX is probably my favorite in that price range. Really nice, smooth but not overly smooth, sweet, detailed, no fatigue, no edginess, extremely clear sonics, highly articulate, almost perfect balance between analytical and musical. I've heard nothing yet that I would find objectionable and I've got tons of cartridges of all price ranges and can usually find something to balance good observations with, but so far not this time. Really nice.

 

Denon DL110, Rega P25 into Ray Samuels Nighthawk F-117 phono stage.

Very interested in either the Rega Ania or Hana SL in the future though and would be interested in anyone's thoughts who have heard both.