Any advice on a cartridge?

[mudd]

Hi,

In 2004 I bought a new Michell Gyro SE with the RB300 arm. I am currently using a DNM/Reson Reca MM cartridge, which I bought at the same time for £300, so I'm thinking it's due for a replacement stylus.
The problem is, the Reson Reca cartridge is now retailing at £650, and the replacement stylus is now £350, which would be well over my budget, even if I could find a dealer in the UK.
I would be grateful for any advice on this.

Also my friend has just bought a new Dynavector XX2 mark II, moving coil, which he does not want and has offered to lend to me. Any advice on whether this will make a good match or how I might need to set it up, would be appreciated.

[HT Performance]

Hi!

What kind of music do you listen to?

Are you looking for a MC or MM cartridge?

How much are you willing to pay?


Cheers!

[mudd]

I play all kinds of music.

I don't really have more than around £150.

My Musical Fidelity XLP phono stage has an MC and MM stage so am not bothered which, but for that money I don't know of any worthwhile MCs.
I still have my old Goldring 1006, which needs a new stylus and have considered putting a 1042GX or similar on it.

[banerjba]

IIRC the Reson and Roksan cartridges were both based off the old Goldring bodies. So was Audionote. So a few choices if you want to stay within the same configuration. The Goldring cartridges are not competitive price wise in North America though they are very good. But exchange kills us certainly in Canada. Hard to beat an Ortofon 2M series which was literally made for the Rega arms. Lots of good affordable carts out there and they are all cheaper in Europe than here.

[Zebbo]

Hmm, not familiar with the DNM at all but from a quick read-up I gather the Goldring 1042 has a very similar sound but a new one of those is about £230. I can't imagine you're going to get a comparable performance for £150. There is the good old Denon DL-103 of course, a lot of people love it but I found it hard sounding. Personally I wouldn't go MC at that budget. If I were you I'd keep saving and either get the replacement stylus or go a little further and get a 2M Black.

[markcass]

Hi

You might consider fitting a Goldring 1000-series stylus to the Reca, which should work in the DNM body, though the performance wouldn't be quite as good. As others have said, the DNM cartridges are based on the Goldring 1000 range.

The 1022GX stylus should be available for under £150, and the 1042 stylus might even be within reach. They would, of course, fit an old Goldring 1006 body perfectly, effectively giving you a new G1022GX or G1042 cartridge. That seems the best course to me.

That offer of a Dynavector MC on loan looks attractive, mind!

HTH

Mark

[HT Performance]

Well here are a couple of well known with exceptional performance cartridges, according to your budget.

They are suited for all-round music type.

You can´t go wrong with any of these:

MC´s:

- Denon DL-103: http://www.needledoctor.com/Denon-DL103?sc=2&category=369

- Dynavector 10X5: http://www.needledoctor.com/Dynavector-10X5-Cartridge?sc=2&category=370

MM´s

- Nagaoka MP-200: http://www.needledoctor.com/Nagaoka-MP-200-Phono-Cartridge?sc=2&category=15775

- Audio-Technica 440MLa: http://www.needledoctor.com/Audio-Technica-440MLa-Cartridge?sc=2&category=363


Cheers!