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?