Do any cheap MM/HOMC carts sound engaging and fun?

[cjm123]

Hi Guys,

I was intrigued by the "Are expensive carts worth it?" thread however being somewhat financially challenged TBH it was pretty academic but nonetheless interesting debate for me. In any case even if I were flush I am not sure :scratch: I would invest heavily in a cart or turntable.

Now I appreciate system context is important and there are lots of YouTube videos showing "affordable" carts but usually on oldish Japanese DD turntables. I have a Rega Planar 3 and Croft Micro 25 and mainly old used but clean LPs so am wondering what the best sounding/best bang for the buck MM or HOMC cart is under say £200?

:cheers:

Chris

[Stryder5]

Hi Chris,

As always this is subjective, but a good start is a Denon DL 110 HOMC.

I don't think I've ever heard a negative comment on this, doesn't mind old records either.

I'm sure others will come along with suggestions.

Currently new on eBay for £175 new.

Gary

[Lurch]

At 440mlb or Ortofon 2M Blue.

[CageyH]

One of these would be worth a listen - https://www.lpgear.com/product/LPGAT95VL.html

[Batty]

I found an Ortofon OM10 surprisingly good when care is taken with setup and then tweaked to sound the best you can get it.
This ws on my Luxman PD264 and GH228 unipivot.

Running a V15 III jico Neo SAS now though :)

[cjm123]

..thanks guys for the recommendations. I think it will have to be a MM as an HOMC output is too low to drive my power amp.

Chris

[chris@panteg]

Very wise, in my opinion having used a DL160, it's too much of a compromise! Better to have a decent mm or a true MC.

[Stryder5]

..thanks guys for the recommendations. I think it will have to be a MM as an HOMC output is too low to drive my power amp.

Chris


I'm sure it's a typo, it's feeding your Croft Micro? If so its a pre amp. MM and HOMC will drive this, you may need to turn volume higher.

[CageyH]

A HOMC should be fine directly into the MM input.

Another thought for a cartridge is the AT95e with the upgraded paratrace stylus assembly.
This will cost about £200.

Recently there was a AT150ea on eBay for £150. This is another excellent sounding cartridge.

[Jac Hawk]

if you can find a good one an Ortofon VMS30 Mk2, i use one on a planar 3 with a 202 arm, sounds fab

[montesquieu]

Not sure what the match is like with a Rega but I run a Tonar Diabolic (£45) with my AT1503 MkI on a Garrard 401 and love it .. Shure SC35C is briliant as well .. both track heavily (4-5g) and probably need a bit more mass than you get with the Rega to sound their best. Of the two the Tonar is probably the more flexible.

[paulf-2007]

SAE 1000LT 2.5mv getting rare.

[Barry]

Vintage fixed-coil cartridges I would recommend would be those by AKG (especially the P8ES) and B&O (the SP6, or SP12, as well as the MMC series: MMC20E; MMC20EN and the MMC20CL)