This thread looks promising.

My latest LP was Colin Stetson's New History Warfare Vo.2 Judges. I'm familiar with this one already, so we'll see how the LP stacks up to the CD. Constellation tends to put out good stuff.

Also, what cartridges are you guys using? Right now I'm running a SL-1200 with a cheapy AT cart. I'm thinking about getting the Shure M97 or maybe a higher-end AT cart. The Shure seems to be universally lauded, and I'm not impressed with the bass response of my current AT. Any other good budget carts you guys would recommend?

This thread looks promising.

My latest LP was Colin Stetson's New History Warfare Vo.2 Judges. I'm familiar with this one already, so we'll see how the LP stacks up to the CD. Constellation tends to put out good stuff.

Also, what cartridges are you guys using? Right now I'm running a SL-1200 with a cheapy AT cart. I'm thinking about getting the Shure M97 or maybe a higher-end AT cart. The Shure seems to be universally lauded, and I'm not impressed with the bass response of my current AT. Any other good budget carts you guys would recommend?

SL-1200 with M97 is what I'm using now. The M97 replaced a Stanton Discmaster II stylus that I used for DJ'ing. The Stanton was super bright and etched, and I was convinced I needed a tube phono stage to take the edge off, but don't feel that way anymore after installing the M97. It's much smoother and warmer.

I don't have any experience with any other cartridges though and my vinyl setup is very budget-fi so I'm not the right person to ask. I've been listening to it for about 3 hours a night since I got the Shure installed though which should say something. I may think about upgrading this vinyl rig when I move, but for now I'm enjoying the heck out of it.

Quote from: OJneg on May 03, 2013, 02:27:27 AM

Also, what cartridges are you guys using? Right now I'm running a SL-1200 with a cheapy AT cart. I'm thinking about getting the Shure M97 or maybe a higher-end AT cart. The Shure seems to be universally lauded, and I'm not impressed with the bass response of my current AT. Any other good budget carts you guys would recommend?

Denon's DL-103R is generally very highly regarded, and goes for under $400. The A-T OC9 is also superb at its price point.

I just recently switched to a Shelter 7000 which I was able to get for about half off. I don't think it's worth $3400 (Shelters are generally overpriced) and I definitely wasn't going to pay that for it (not with Miyajima out there), but at well under $2K it's pretty damn good, and I think would put up a serious fight against a Yatra or Dynavector XX-2.

Do you have any experience with EMT carts, Dave? I've gotten the suggestion for EMT from 2 dealers now as another option next to the XX-2. Gotta say it's got me curious when the time comes for a new cart.

As for a suggestions within a few hundred bucks...I quite like my current 10x5 running from my MM setting on my PHO-8.

Do you have any experience with EMT carts, Dave? I've gotten the suggestion for EMT from 2 dealers now as another option next to the XX-2. Gotta say it's got me curious when the time comes for a new cart.

As for a suggestions within a few hundred bucks...I quite like my current 10x5 running from my MM setting on my PHO-8.

I'm afraid not, no. I've heard some of the Benz carts, Shelters, A-Ts, Regas, Koetsus, and a few others, but there's just so many of them out there. By far the fugliest cart I've ever seen is the London Decca Jubilee. It's a great cart, but it costs $2900 and it looks like something that would've come stock on a table in the '70s.

Would the the M97 be a good match for the SL-1200's arm in terms of mass/compliance? As I understand, the arm has a middle-of-the-road mass and so does the M97 in terms of compliance.