Cartridge recomendations under 200 bucks.

[S888Wheel]

A friend of mine just lost the stylus out of his cartridge. he wanted me to
recomend a replacement cartridge. I haven't paid much attention to cartridges
in his price range. He is considering the Shure V 15. Are there any competative
alternatives in this price range?

[Bruce J. Richman]

Scott wrote:


>A friend of mine just lost the stylus out of his cartridge. he wanted me to
>recomend a replacement cartridge. I haven't paid much attention to cartridges
>in his price range. He is considering the Shure V 15. Are there any
>competative
>alternatives in this price range?
>
>
>
>
>
>

Well, if he's considering the Shurve V15, is he not considering a cartridge
that lists for more than $ 200.00? While I haven't checked the latest street
pri ces, I believe the Shure V15 models have generally listed for closer to $
300.00. Of course, I'm sure discounts are available from local dealers and
thru the net.

I would seriously recommend the Grado Reference Platinum as being a very
worthwhile alternative to the Shure V15 models. I've used both over the years.
IME, the Shure is probably the better tracker on records that may have edge
warp or other anomalies. However, assuming turntable/toinearm compatibility
with the Grados, I think the Platinum is more musical, especially on vocals,
and is a more dynamic cartridge as well. The one disadvantage, from a
practical standpoint, is that it does not have a user-replaceable stylus.
However, Grado does offer to "retip" it if that is needed.

Pricewise, the Grado lists for $ 300.00 - similar to the Shure - but is
generally available at a reasonable discount. When I got one from a local
dealer, he gave me a 20% discount, so I ended up paying $ 240.00 for it. (I
assume he was willing to take a 20% rather than probably a 40% profit on it).
I've also seen new Grado Platinums on eBay and Audiogon from time to time fvor
similar prices, so I think it's worth considering, even if it ends up costing a
few dollars more than the Shure. I just think it's a superior cartridge when
it comes to making music.

If at all possible, your friend should be advised to audition his possible
choices prior to purchase.



Bruce J. Richman

[S888Wheel]

>
>Well, if he's considering the Shurve V15, is he not considering a cartridge
>that lists for more than $ 200.00? While I haven't checked the latest street
>pri ces, I believe the Shure V15 models have generally listed for closer to $
>300.00. Of course, I'm sure discounts are available from local dealers and
>thru the net.
>
>I would seriously recommend the Grado Reference Platinum as being a very
>worthwhile alternative to the Shure V15 models. I've used both over the
>years.
>IME, the Shure is probably the better tracker on records that may have edge
>warp or other anomalies. However, assuming turntable/toinearm compatibility
>with the Grados, I think the Platinum is more musical, especially on vocals,
>and is a more dynamic cartridge as well. The one disadvantage, from a
>practical standpoint, is that it does not have a user-replaceable stylus.
>However, Grado does offer to "retip" it if that is needed.
>
>Pricewise, the Grado lists for $ 300.00 - similar to the Shure - but is
>generally available at a reasonable discount. When I got one from a local
>dealer, he gave me a 20% discount, so I ended up paying $ 240.00 for it. (I
>assume he was willing to take a 20% rather than probably a 40% profit on it).
>
>I've also seen new Grado Platinums on eBay and Audiogon from time to time
>fvor
>similar prices, so I think it's worth considering, even if it ends up costing
>a
>few dollars more than the Shure. I just think it's a superior cartridge when
>it comes to making music.
>

He says he found the Shure for $235.00. Based on the raves he was willing to go
the extra $35.00. I'll pass along your recomendation. Thanks for the help.


>
>If at all possible, your friend should be advised to audition his possible
>choices prior to purchase.
>

If only that were possible in this day.

[ansermetniac]

The Sumiko Oyster is cheap and sound svery nice. Unfortuantely it cannot
track heavy enough to play older damaged records that need one play to
transfer to Cd. For that I use a Shuire M3D

Abbedd
"S888Wheel" > wrote in message
...
> A friend of mine just lost the stylus out of his cartridge. he wanted me
to
> recomend a replacement cartridge. I haven't paid much attention to
cartridges
> in his price range. He is considering the Shure V 15. Are there any
competative
> alternatives in this price range?

[Joseph Oberlander]

S888Wheel wrote:


> He says he found the Shure for $235.00. Based on the raves he was willing to go
> the extra $35.00. I'll pass along your recomendation. Thanks for the help.

For $235, he's going to at best find other choices that are not a bit better,
and a lot of ones that aren't as good.

Nice deal, actually.

[Bruce J. Richman]

Joseph Oberlander wrote:


>S888Wheel wrote:
>
>
>> He says he found the Shure for $235.00. Based on the raves he was willing
>to go
>> the extra $35.00. I'll pass along your recomendation. Thanks for the help.
>
>For $235, he's going to at best find other choices that are not a bit better,
>and a lot of ones that aren't as good.
>
>Nice deal, actually.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Considering the general consensus of *many* listeners re. the sound quality of
the Grado Reference Platinum cartridge, which can also generally be found
discounted for about the same money, claims of "no competition" at this price
point are unwarranted in my opinion. Even this least expensive model in the
Grado "woody" series has been almost universally praised by both listeners and
audio reviewers alike. It is also worth mentioning that at least one prominent
turntable manufacturer, VPI, has thought enough of their quality, to include
them installed in some of their less expensive models such as the VPI Jr. and
or VPI Scout.

As stated in my earlier post, I've owned and used both in the past, primarily
with VPI tables and either Audioquest, ET, or VPI arms, and have found the
Grado to be significantly superior in terms of resolution and musicality in
vifrtually all circumstances IMHO.

I would encourage any prospective buyer in this price range to carefully
research the Grado Platinum as well as the Shure, and then look for a
cooperative dealer and/or net-based source to obtain either at a reasonable
discount (since list price is about the same for both).



Bruce J. Richman

[Joseph Oberlander]

Bruce J. Richman wrote:

> Joseph Oberlander wrote:
>
>
>
>>S888Wheel wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>He says he found the Shure for $235.00. Based on the raves he was willing
>>
>>to go
>>
>>>the extra $35.00. I'll pass along your recomendation. Thanks for the help.
>>
>>For $235, he's going to at best find other choices that are not a bit better,
>>and a lot of ones that aren't as good.
>>
>>Nice deal, actually.

> I would encourage any prospective buyer in this price range to carefully
> research the Grado Platinum as well as the Shure, and then look for a
> cooperative dealer and/or net-based source to obtain either at a reasonable
> discount (since list price is about the same for both).
>
> Bruce J. Richman

Both would work. My point was that for $235, he's certainly not going
to find more than a handful that are as good. The Grado Platinum - if it
goes for about the same price is also worth considering.

IME, Shure and Grado don't make junk. Which is better - the V15 or Platinum?
No idea.

[Bruce J. Richman]

Joseph Oberlander wrote:


>Bruce J. Richman wrote:
>
>> Joseph Oberlander wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>S888Wheel wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>He says he found the Shure for $235.00. Based on the raves he was willing
>>>
>>>to go
>>>
>>>>the extra $35.00. I'll pass along your recomendation. Thanks for the
>help.
>>>
>>>For $235, he's going to at best find other choices that are not a bit
>better,
>>>and a lot of ones that aren't as good.
>>>
>>>Nice deal, actually.
>
>> I would encourage any prospective buyer in this price range to carefully
>> research the Grado Platinum as well as the Shure, and then look for a
>> cooperative dealer and/or net-based source to obtain either at a reasonable
>> discount (since list price is about the same for both).
>>
>> Bruce J. Richman
>
>Both would work. My point was that for $235, he's certainly not going
>to find more than a handful that are as good. The Grado Platinum - if it
>goes for about the same price is also worth considering.
>
>IME, Shure and Grado don't make junk. Which is better - the V15 or
>Platinum?
>No idea.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Agreed that neither makes poor quality cartridges. Both manufacturers have
been in business for a long time. I might add that Grado also makes an
external phono stage for those that need such a device (as do many others at
both higher and lower prices). As always, direct auditions are advised prior
to purchase if at all possible.



Bruce J. Richman

[jeffc]

"S888Wheel" > wrote in message
...
> A friend of mine just lost the stylus out of his cartridge. he wanted me
to
> recomend a replacement cartridge. I haven't paid much attention to
cartridges
> in his price range. He is considering the Shure V 15. Are there any
competative
> alternatives in this price range?

I'd get the most expensive Grado I could afford. Alternatively, for a
moving coil, I'd consider the Audio Technica OC-9. It used to sell for
$400, but most places are now selling it for $200.