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Hi, all:I have the cartridge upgrade bug! I got a Dual 1229 turntable this summer. Nice unit, but I'm still searching for the best cartridge to go with it. It came with a bottom-of-the line Audio Technica cartridge with a conical stylus, which I didn't like at all: boxy, muffled sound and low output. I swapped that out for an AT316EP that I had on a P mount turntable; put it on the standard adaptor and installed it. Better, but I found it a bit hissy and thin on this table--it actually sounded better on the P mount table. Next I got a Stanton 500E MK II. Better still, especially for the price: nice full sound and good detail revelation on vocals and instruments, but it seems to lack crispness; eg, the "attack" of acoustic guitars and snare drums seems somwhat blunted. What next? The Stanton is certainly pleasant, but I think I'd like a better combination of big sound, good detail, and a crisp, percussive timbre, if such a thing exists. The AT110E seems to be highly regarded. Might that do the trick? Other good choices? (For the record, my current system consists of a NAD C320BEE amp, a NAD PP-2 preamp, the Dual TT, and Dynaco A35 speakers.)
Thanks.
Follow Ups:
Thanks for the suggestions. I was thinking about the AT 440, too, although I have noted a love it-or-hate it response to it here. The price is reasonable enough, though, so I think I might try it.
The Rega Bias also works well in that context. It is extremely dynamic and will "wake up" that system a bit.
-Bill
I'm not familiar with the Stanton, but you're still at the point where spending more money is going to yield sigificant improvements
next step Ortofon OM 20 or 30, AT 440, Shure M97 a few great still reletively cheap cart's,
I second the AT 440, fits your needs.
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