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Nerd alert: Phono cartridge question…

Trading in another cartridge, can get $600 towards a at art9xa, or $450 towards an at OC9xml. Do I want to spend $690 to get a brand new art9xa or am I chasing my tail getting a $1300 MC cartridge?

Comments

  • YellowSnowYellowSnow Moderator, Swaye's Wigwam Posts: 35,438 Founders Club
    What turntable do you have?

    What amplifier are running?

    Internal phono stage or separate phono pre amp?

    How about speakers?

    Gotta know what we’re dealing with here before we can determine if a $1300 moving coil cart is worth it.
  • ThebourbinatorThebourbinator Member Posts: 664

    What turntable do you have?

    What amplifier are running?

    Internal phono stage or separate phono pre amp?

    How about speakers?

    Gotta know what we’re dealing with here before we can determine if a $1300 moving coil cart is worth it.

    Marantz tt15s1

    Lehmann black cube se phono stage

    Sugden a21se integrated amp

    Omega Compact Alnico Monitors

    To be honest I haven’t heard everything together yet as is, I just have a clearaudio virtuoso wood MM cartridge that’s new in box and came with the turntable, figured if I’m going to make a change to LOMC I might as well do it when I can get the most value for the current cartridge and also start the break in process.
  • YellowSnowYellowSnow Moderator, Swaye's Wigwam Posts: 35,438 Founders Club
    So my turntable (Rega P3) and amp (Naim Nait XS2 are in the same level of the market as your gear. I have a Parasound JC3 phono pre amp which is a bit overkill for the current TT.

    That said I run a rega moving magnet cart with goes for about the same new at the lower cost AT cart you’re looking at. I’ve been very happy with it and never felt like I had the gear to start getting into MC carts in the $1k to $2k range. Maybe when I upgrade my TT and get new speakers I’ll take the plunge into moving coil.

    I don’t thing there’s a wrong choice here for you. The TT and amps are worthy of a good moving coil cartridge. Just a matter of your budget. If it’s no big deal throw down on the upgrade.

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