Suggestions on a decent $100 cartridge.

dlb2

dlb2

New member
Joined
Apr 8, 2013
Messages
3,787
Location
State of Confusion
My son has my old Dual turntable which came with an Ortofon OM-20 many moons ago. I have to think the stylus is shot so I want to get him a new cartridge for Xmas. I'm looking for something that is a good performer and is easy to set-up, read not picky or finicky. I would like to keep the cost as close to $100.00 as I can.

I'm liking the Ortofon 2M Red right now, but I'm certain there are many other good cartridges around that price. Suggestions?
 
Doug ..............the Sumiko Pearl cartridge is a great bang for the buck and ive heard it and was surprised :happy:i think it reatils for around $125-150.

Sumiko Pearl Cartridge [large view].jpg
 
I don't have much experience with others in that range, but the 2M series is great. I used a Blue for a while with my Rega P5 and really enjoyed it. Can't go wrong there...

Interesting that someone else recommended Sumiko...I replaced my 2M Blue with a Pearwood Celebration II. It was a significant upgrade, but should be for 10x the price! Sumiko makes very musical cartridges too.
 
Hahaha!!! Give him the Delos and buy a cadenza black! This cartridge is unreal!! :D
 
The 2M Red is a very good choice. You might also look at the AT95E, it's only $50, but performs well in excess of it's price. When looking at carts bare in mind the tone arm you have and the recommended allowances of the cart. Any and all carts can sound very different and perform good or bad on any given table. For example sticking a Sumiko cart on a Denon DP-f series table is a glaring mistake as is sticking a Shure on the same table. On the flip side, a Denon 110 or any of the 2M Ortofon series is a good match for that table. Those are just examples of the sea of choices out there. Just my opinion with the limited experience I have.
 
Ortofon and Grado's are popular with the Duals.....don't rule out a replacement stylus instead of a complete cartridge swap!
 
A/V Solutions said:
Ortofon and Grado's are popular with the Duals.....don't rule out a replacement stylus instead of a complete cartridge swap!
Click to expand...

Ah, yes, good catch Jeff, replace the stylus if the cart is still good and you like it. Sometimes though, that replacement stylus is very nearly as much as the whole cart. (It can also be more if one goes a step up in the replacement for those carts that take multi styluses).
 
So I decided to go with the Ortofon 2M Red. Like Jeff said, it's a good pairing with the Dual. Now where can I buy one? :P
 
Great choice , Nice Christmas present !!! Keep the vinyl in the family!!!
 
With the Duals I think you would be far better of with the Ortofon OM series which was the OEM cartridge for most Dual TT's along with the Shure M91E. Both of the OEM cartridges were higher compliance than most modern MM cartridges. For most Dual TT's the 2M series is too low of compliance for the Dual low mass tonearms.
 
dlb2 said:
So I decided to go with the Ortofon 2M Red. Like Jeff said, it's a good pairing with the Dual. Now where can I buy one? :P
Click to expand...

Surprised at the recommendations...Myself, not an Ortofon fan but to be 100% honest, the best match with a dual...SHURE. Heck, 90% came with a Shure. The best, the Shure V15 Type II or II which many came with.

But an awesome alternative ? The Shure M95 (also Shure Premium yellow) or the M91ED if you can find it ...

So if you haven't bought the ortofon....rethink...

You can ask these guys if you think I am in error...

The Dual-Reference Website
 
Jeff

On this we will just have to agree to disagree. The OM series has a compliance of 25um for the OM-10 which was the supplied cartridge for Dual and the 2M Red is 20. Plus to my ears, and I have had both in my system, the 2M Red is shrill and CD sounding. It is the epitome of marketing hype led by Fremer's glowing review. The 2M series shape and all was designed to cash in on the Rega phenomenon and the cartridge body is even shaped to mimic a Rega tonearm.
 
dlb2 said:
Thanks Rob. I was gonna call Jeff today but ran out of time. I'll look into those before I do so.
Click to expand...

Tell you what...I will send you a M95ED (Shure Premium) I just got. Its not brand new but I KNOW its in great shape as I cleaned it and played it...very musical...see how it sounds on your Dual...

Hey, I thought you just bought a big fancy table?
 
ohbythebay said:
Tell you what...I will send you a M95ED (Shure Premium) I just got. Its not brand new but I KNOW its in great shape as I cleaned it and played it...very musical...see how it sounds on your Dual...

Hey, I thought you just bought a big fancy table?
Click to expand...

This one's for my son's table (my old Dual from High School)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top