Most people find that there is no noise until the very end of the
record at a reasonably high volume without using Mu-metal. Maybe you
don't have the Mu-metal configured for best performance, but it sounds
like you may have done the best that you can with it. I suppose
everyones idea of what is objectionably noisey varies and using very
high efficiency speakers will certainly make any slight noise much
more prominent. Other designs may be more quiet in terms of shielding
from magnetic fields but they may also suffer in other areas
sonically. The Kontrapunkt series from Ortofon are quite nice but
don't have user replacable stylus. The best sounding cartridges IMHO
are low output moving coil cartridges and they don't have user
replacable stylus. I would not limit my choices to those having that
as a feature if you are critical about sound quality. I have had MC
cartridges last ten years so it is not a bad value in my opinion. I am
using a Dynavector LOMC cartridge now.
-Bill
www.uptownaudio.com
Roanoke VA
(540) 343-1250

"MD" wrote in message
...
Uptown Audio wrote:
There are shielded cartridges but they do not necessarily sound
better. Grado has a huge following of enthusiasts and many will
settle for using nothing else. Most motors can be shielded usung
Mu-metal, which is an additional expense, but many find the
benefits that the Grado cartridges bring to be more than worth the
cost. I like the sound of them and don't find external noise
pick-up to be a significant issue considering their excellent sound
and cost. It can annoy some people in the most quiet passages
(pauses in classical music for instance) at higher listening
levels. Most people that hear the cartridges perform in person
laugh once they hear how little noise the naysayers are complaining
about as it has been blown way out of proportion.
-Bill
www.uptownaudio.com
Roanoke VA
(540) 343-1250

"MD" wrote in message
...

Seems like the Prestige cartridges pick up external noise to easy?
(TT motor etc)

Are there quieter cartridges - Oritfon, Goldring?


Thanks for responding

I use MuMetal and it works well - to a point
The noise from the motor doesn't pop in until the end of the last
song and there is is barely noticeable - even at loud volume

The noise I am hearing is there with motor off and with the unit
well away from anything else. Grounding the table helps but not
enough


Are Ortifon and Goldring quieter/shielded (I like brands with
replaceable styli)