New cartridge

[monty68]

Hi,

My Dynavector XX2 died after the cantilever snapped through over enthusiastic house cleaning (not by me!).

Looking for a comparable but hopefully better replacement and in pole position at the moment thinking of the VDH Frog.

Table is TW Acustic AC1 with SME V arm going through an Ayre Px5e phono.

What suggestions would you give, and budget wise, I'm not prepared to go into the stratospheric priced carts.

Thanks!

 

[gestalt]

The vdH Frog Gold is nice. I also quite like the Stein Music Aventurin 6 (https://steinmusic.com/vinyl/aventurin-6-cartridge/) at a bit higher price.

Heads up I'm a dealer for both vdH and Stein, so take what I say with an appropriate amount of salt. I'm also a dealer for TW Acustic and have first hand experience with both on TW turntables.

Hope that helps.

 

[Serenade]

I was a XX1, XX2, XX2mk2 user. Also on a SME V arm. Then I went on to use ZYX, VdH Crimson, Transfig Proteus, EMT JSD5. I will say that the ZYX lower range MC is the sweet spot. Does everything better than the XX2, but does not cost much more.

Of course the Crimson, EMTs, most costly ZYXs sound even better. But you have to pay a lot more to get a bit more than the ZYX Airy range.

 

[Serenade]

Ortofon Cadenza Bronze or Black are also suggested. They make good sound at real world prices.