What currently available moving magnet cartridge is the best.??????....

[oldheathkitphil]

Gentlemen:

Any thoughts out there about what is the best currently available
MOVING MAGNET cartridge ????????????

I have been transferring my old lp's to cd and am starting to get to the older, more worn albums and would prefer to stop using my Benz Glider moving coil and start using a good moving magnet model.

Also I would like the ability to change the stylus depending on the condition of the album, which I can't do with a moving coil model.

Many thanks in advance for any advice you have...........

oldheathkitphil

[peranders]

I think you should your max budget also

[mlloyd1]

thanks for asking ...

i'd like to know this also since my shure v15v-mr is on the way out after many years of good service.

my table is a denon 37f with original arm - not a sonic "drooler", but it serves my needs and my wife likes the way it looks.

i haven't heard these yet but i've been pointed to one or two Audio Technica models that I haven't heard yet. I'll find the model numbers and mention them back here ...

mlloyd1

[jonnywolfet]

i am using an ortofon 2m blue, that i absolutely love.
imho, it blows away the grado blue that i had previously, with better everything. especially in the treble area.

[ingvar ahlberg]

Hi!
If looking for a really good mm, the Grado reference series is among the best You´ll find, starting with the sonata and platinum models, not cheap and You can´t replace needle, but they might make You use the Benz a lot less. A budgetbargain is the Clearaudio Aurum classic, would be about 300$ i guess, still not replacable needle. If looking for a cheap, but good, tool for CD-transfering Audio Technica AT95E is maybe the markets most fantastic value for money piece availablea notch up Grado gold, better, more refined, better resolution but not as dynamic and sheer fun as the AT. Then Your arm place a role in choise of course.

[karvid]

As P-A said above: A budget is necessary!

Personally I use ClearAudio Virtouso wood (possible to replace needle on) and an high output MC from Benz. "Benz Micro Wood H2,0".

[Netlist]

Telling us a bit about the arm and turntable you use could also narrow the choices.

/Hugo

[bulgin]

Hi

Also consider a Goldring 1042, which is always highly rated by the mags - FWIW.

bulgin

[metako]

Musicmaker Mk3, Garrott FGS and Ortofon 2M Black, probably in that order.

[jeff spall]

Originally posted by metako
...Musicmaker Mk3, Garrott FGS...

Sorry mate, they're not moving magnet cartridges, they're variable reluctance/"moving iron" type, like the Grados are. Both those guys started out by being Decca distributors/rebuilders, which is why I guess they still go for the VR generators.
People (even reviewers) mix these cartridges up because they have the same kind of output and loading as MMs, but the construction's very different. You can't change the cantilever/stylus assembly on them.

.....but you're right, they are damn good!