My Favourite Phono Cartridges.

My favourite phono cartridges.

I've been doing a fair bit of 'cartridge stuff' of late, and whilst I haven't sampled a huge range over the years I have listened to a few of the popular moving magnet types and it is interesting to reflect on their 'sound' and other sonic and related characteristics. The list: well in recent times anyway there has been the Shure M97xE, various versions of the Ortofon Super OM series, the Ortofon 2M Red and quite recently a cartridge I've 'rediscovered' in a sense the 'budget?' Audio Technica AT95E.

I've actually had the AT95E for many years (about twenty years actually) and just very recently obtained a new stylus for it. It's actually a pretty good cartridge with a nice well balanced sound with good frequency response extension at both ends of the audio spectrum. The recommended tracking weight of two grams is acceptable, but I'd personally prefer a slightly lighter tracking cartridge. As I found the other evening, don't expect it to track bad record warps very well! Matched with a competent phono preamp, it is an excellent phono cartridge for someone just starting out.

I was introduced to the Ortofon Super OM series after my initial disappointment with the Shure M97xE, until I came to terms with that cartridges 'quirks'. It is a bit of a shame that the Super OM series has been 'officially' discontinued, and replaced by the uniformly excellent 2M series as although sonically the Super OM has a tendency to listening fatigue in the long term (to my ears anyway), it is an amazing 'little' cartridge with superb tracking and general performance at 1.5 grams, not to mention prodigious output level. I found even the basic '10' version excellent and the ability to upgrade to a higher quality stylus was an easy if slightly pricey upgrade. Some considered the Super OM series a little bass shy and perhaps it is so, but if you enjoy a 'speedy and fast' sounding cartridge with great dynamics they are a highly recommended cartridge. Replacement styli (genuine and after market generics) are still widely available as I understand it. I have a lot of personal fondness for the Ortofon Super OM series.

The Ortofon 2M Red: This is a remarkable cartridge, the base model in a large range. I admit that I rather like the 2M Red although it does have a few 'quirks', but it is essentially a very likeable and enjoyable sounding cartridge. There is certainly no bass shyness with the 2M Red, yet if anything it can be a trifle bright sounding! In one review of the 2M Red, I called it a 'euphonic' and lush sounding cartridge. Euphonic? Yes, as it is the only cartridge I've ever used that makes worn records sound good along with excellent tracking ability even with warped records, although not quite the equal of the Shure M97xE in this regard! Definitely euphonic! Its recommended tracking weight is around 1.8 grams, not quite as high as 2 grams and is quite acceptable. It also appears to be well matched into 'standard' 47 k loading. As I say, it is a very pleasant and musical sounding cartridge but perhaps not overly 'accurate'. This is a possibly contentious point as many would prefer a cartridge with that sonic character rather than a more accurate yet possibly bland sounding phono cartridge, which brings me to the Shure M97xE!

I have written extensively on the Shure M97xE and although I can hear the groans from here, it is still my favourite cartridge of the group mentioned. It is a 'quirky' but ultimately endearing cartridge, a little like a child who can be a pain but sometimes, an adorable angel. Yes the M97xE can be like that! The Dynamic Stabiliser is a near miracle in its function. I have stood there watching the M97xE holding my breath whilst watching the Dynamic Stabiliser work its magic on (very) badly warped records! Apart from the amazing tracking, sonically it has its detractors and yes optimal electrical loading is critical with the M97xE for the most linear and extended upper treble frequency response. 47 k is not ideal with the M97xE, a higher value toward 62 k is preferable although the number of phono stages with adjustable resistance loading is small but there are a few models available. My DIY phono stages have this provision. With the electrical loading properly optimised I find absolutely nothing to criticise about the sound of the M97xE which I find smooth, clean, clear and utterly non fatiguing, but you've all heard these words from me before. Lol. The often reported quality issues are real and at this time I'm trying to obtain a replacement for a faulty M97xE stylus under warranty, but is very s-l-o-w going. Yet despite the pain, the Shure M97xE is a cartridge I love! More to come. Felix.