Budget MM Cartridge Recommendation

[darkmatter]

Trying to sort out / advise on a system for a friend the stumbling block is the cartridge budget £50

One option od the good old AT95E any others at this level? He wants a rhythmic sound

TT is an old LP12 / Basic Arm

[synsei]

Slightly over his budget but a no-brainer at this price ;)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NAGAOKA-MP-100-BRAND-NEW-MM-CARTRIDGE-MP100-Made-Sold-Only-In-Japan-NEW-MP10-/360819690243?pt=US_Record_Players_Home_Turntables&hash=item5402878b03

[Roy S]

Keep an eye on this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SHURE-Stereo-Cartridge-M95EJ-complete-in-Original-Box-TESTED-VGC-/201019138623?pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ecdaca23f

[CageyH]

For the money, the AT95E is hard to beat.

[twotone]

Don't know if this has sold but a great buy IMO

http://www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread.php?99984-Ortofon-2m-Blue

[AlfaGTV]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TESTINA-ACUTEX-M-312-III-STR-PUNTINA-PER-GIRADISCHI-INTROVABILE-STYLUS-FOR-NUOVA-/261373387171?

Have bought several from this guy, and also the Acutex 415...
The M312 III STR is way, way better than an AT95E IMO.
(The 415 is a little bright, and too soft for most modern arms)

Regards
//Mike

[Qwin]

Would agree with TwoTone that a second hand 2m Blue is good if the budjet can be stretched.
The TT deserves it.
Several on fleabay recently in the £80 ish range.

[Fulci]

The Acutex M312 STR III is a brilliant cart, incredible value for money at that price. Punchy, dynamic, incredibly musical.

Also, you could do worse than the Nagaoka MP-15 too...

[Markiii]

Audio Technica AT102 is very good for the cash

[belloire]

ortofon 2m red can be had for £50 used. works nicely on a lp12/basik. i upgraded a friends from a linn k5 and it was noticable. (blue is better, naturally...)

[Qwin]

I also have an Ortofon 2M Red and a Linn K5 and agree the 2M Red is slightly better overall though it is not a straight forward decision as they do different things better/worse than each other, I have enjoyed both.