What Are The Best Turntable Phono Cartridges Under $300
Ten cartridges under $300 that are highly regarded in the vinyl community for their performance and value.
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Audio-Technica AT-VM95E: A versatile cartridge with an elliptical stylus and excellent tracking ability. It's known for its detailed sound and has multiple stylus upgrade options available within the same body.
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Ortofon 2M Red: This cartridge is widely praised for its dynamic sound and good stereo imaging. It features an elliptical diamond stylus and is a solid upgrade for many entry-level turntables.
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Grado Prestige Green3: Offering a warm and detailed sound, this cartridge is part of Grado's renowned Prestige series. It's particularly well-suited for genres like rock and jazz.
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Nagaoka MP-110: Known for its rich and detailed audio reproduction, this cartridge delivers a slight warmth that enhances its musicality, making it a favorite among audiophiles.
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Sumiko Rainier: A moving magnet cartridge that provides a balanced and dynamic soundstage. It's an entry-level option in Sumiko’s Oyster series but offers high-quality audio performance.
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Denon DL-110: This high-output moving coil cartridge offers some of the benefits of moving coil designs, such as excellent detail retrieval and a nuanced sound profile, at a price closer to moving magnet models.
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Goldring E3: The Goldring E3 features a super elliptical stylus and advanced damping systems for reduced distortion. It's known for its dynamic and expressive sound.
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Audio-Technica AT-VM95EN: A step up within the AT-VM95 series, featuring a nude elliptical stylus for improved frequency response and finer detail retrieval than its more basic siblings.
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Shure M97xE: Although discontinued, this cartridge remains popular in the second-hand market due to its smooth sound and excellent tracking. It's a great choice for those who can find it in good condition.
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Ortofon OM 10: A less expensive alternative to the 2M series, the OM 10 offers a good balance of performance and price, with a fine line elliptical stylus and a versatile fit for many standard turntables.
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These cartridges provide a range of options depending on your preferences for sound character, stylus type, and overall design. Each can significantly enhance the listening experience, offering clear improvements over basic models typically included with turntables. Now that you're educated on this topic, the Turntable Upgrade Shop is offering discount for fans of this page, enter HIFI at checkout here, https://tinyurl.com/y8fzmj2e