Hello dear friends

I would like to ask for your advice through your experience.
I recently bought a Thorens TD160 with a Thorens TP 16 tonearm and an old Empire 999 cartridge.
I want to purchase a cartridge to replace the old Empire and a phono stage.

For the cartridge the budget i want to spent is 300 euros. I'm thinking of only MC's;
  • Audio Technica AT-OC9XEB
  • Audio Technica AT-F7
  • Audio Technica AT-OC9XEN
  • Audio Technica AT33EV (Exceeding budget which means less money for phono pre amp)
  • Denon DL-103
  • Denon DL-103R


Any other suggestions are welcome to discuss.

For the phono pre amp section the budget is until 450 euros and I'm thinking of;
  • Musical Fidelity LX2-LPS
  • Cambridge Audio Duo
  • Vincent PHO-8
  • Rega Fono MC
  • Pro-Ject Audio Phono Box DS2
  • Pro-Ject Audio Phono Box DS+
  • Naim Stageline (Exceeding budget)


The system is (int amp) Pass Labs INT30A with (loudspeakers) Audio Physic Scorpio II.

As for the phono pre amp I would prefer to be punchy in drive (it surely has to do with cartridge matching). I'm listening all kind of music genres.

I would like to thank you in advance.
Happy new year to all!