Which £50-£80 cartridge for my Planar 3?

[a_faulding]

I'm looking to replace the cartridge on my planar 3/rb300 as it's cheap and I'm unsure how many hours use it has had. I listen to a range of music but generally play rock and its variations more than anything else. I wouldn't mind paying up to say £80 for a cartridge + stylus but was hoping you guys could advise me on a good value used cartridge which I might find on eBay for say £35-£45. I could then buy a brand new stylus for it seperately.

Does buying a used cartridge make sense or are there risks involved? I would imagine the components eventually degrade over many hours of use??


Cheers!

Andrew

[Trackside]

AT-110E will fit your requirements perfectly - you can find them new from old stock as well.

[Jim Leach]

Maybe a touch higher than your budget (and maybe not since you are closer than me in the US) but I am quite pleased with my Benz Micro Silver on my Planar 3.

I don't seem to see a lot of guys (or girls) using this cartridge on a Planar, but I think it is a good fit and it sounds quite nice across my collection of music from Jazz to rock and a dash of classical for quiet Sunday Mornings...

[Ottermel]

Look into Nagoaka MP-110 and higher in their range.

[bauzace50]

Within that price range: Denon DL-110 excels, too.

[Trackside]

The OP's budget is 1/2 that of the Denon or Nagoaka suggestions

[raphaelmabo]

Ok, it's a challenge of course to find a good cartridge within that limited budget... Still, it can be done.

My suggestion is the Sumiko Pearl, it comes in at 79 UK pounds retail price, brand new. (http://www.musonic.co.uk/pearl-cartridge-p-17704.html)
And yes, if one would find it on eBay then the stylus is replaceable for a lower sum. So, what's good about this cartridge? Well, I like the nice tonal range - from deep bass to clear treble. It also handles rhythm and complex mixes well. I say it is quite neutral sounding. Not overly warm or super smooth, but not bright or in-yer-face upfront forward sounding either. It takes the mild mannered middle road to things. Detailed. Not super big soundstage, but plays music well. Good tracker, works well with worn out records. I confess that I'm not a rocker, I'm more into reggae-dub-electronic-dance-disco-pop-funky-soul-jazz-thing with a Classical touch. The closest to rock I have in vinyl is Fleetwood Mac and Toto, and a couple of old Phil Collins LP's haha, but those sounds great.

Ortofon 2M Red is a popular choice and fits within the budget too at 79.99 , and has a replaceable stylus. (http://www.superfi.co.uk)

[james73_2008]

AT-110E will fit your requirements perfectly - you can find them new from old stock as well.

Good shout, but it has limited upgradeability - the AT115E stylus is the only
upgrade option for that cartridge and those stylii are like hens teeth.

As for the original question - I'd push the boat out and go for the AT120E. It's
available for good prices if you shop around.


James H

[Ottermel]

Nagoaka MP-110 is not beyond the budget, it can be bought for C$ 129

[satanfriendly]

The OM2 Red gets my vote. So Many say 'they have heard this and heard that, read this and read that about it', but not really had any 'living experience'. Great performance and sonics not to be sniffed at.

[Trackside]

AT-110E will fit your requirements perfectly - you can find them new from old stock as well.

Good shout, but it has limited upgradeability - the AT115E stylus is the only
upgrade option for that cartridge and those stylii are like hens teeth.

As for the original question - I'd push the boat out and go for the AT120E. It's
available for good prices if you shop around.


James H

The AT110E is however very well matched to the Rega arm, has a liking for teh kind of music the OP plays and some my find the AT120 a bit shrill in the upper frequencies.

[bauzace50]

@ Trackside,

what is the price of the DL-110 in UK? From what you stated above, it seems roughly TWICE the USA price? Would that be a typical UK price for this item?

REgards,
b50

[Trackside]

£140-£180 depending on the dealer.

[bauzace50]

@ Trackside:

Oops, THAT changes the rules of the spending game!
Those UK prices mean approximately double the US price !
(Performance rating would be the same, though, and STILL represent good value).
Thanks,
b50