Hello and welcome to my channel! I am HIFI Daydreaming, and I will be your host and guide through the list of the best phono cartridges under 750 euros.
To answer your first question, "Why 750 and not round it up to a pretty number like 1000?" The short answer is that I was overwhelmed by choices. To fit everything in, I had to create a bunch of mini-reviews for a lot of cartridges, which in itself is a tough affair. I wanted these reviews to be small but filled with enough information for you to understand the sonic basics and why I love them. Writing them without seeming repetitive or boring became a problem, so I cut a few entries from the list. This list went through many changes before it was finalized. I removed and added things, ending with a list of my personal favorites, not necessarily the ones I think are the absolute best in this price range.
Some big names are missing, like Audio Technica and Grado, but unfortunately, I don’t have much experience with them, so they are not on the list. Who knows, if I ever revise the list in the future, they might be included.
I hope you enjoy this list. As always, if I missed something, please write your personal favorites in the comments. I'd love to hear them out. There are a lot of cartridges in this world, and it's impossible for me to hear them all. But I can be informed if you present them to me in the comments, and I would really appreciate that. Also, look in the description of this video for some of my reviews of turntables and phono preamps—you might find something good to pair with these cartridges.
Sumiko Rainier
The Sumiko Rainier is the best step-up budget cartridge. It is your best upgrade from default cartridges, unless it is already Rainier. If that’s the case, rejoice—you have an awesome cartridge. It truly gives new life to your vinyl by expanding on that dynamic reach, mostly in treble and upper mids, and extracting a lot more details. It creates a punchy sound that is full of information and dynamics. It also rounds those treble details nicely and helps to expand the soundstage. I recommend pairing it with mid-tier turntables to fully open the talents of this cartridge, but it plays okay with budget turntables as well. It truly gives more flash, energy, and rhythm to your grooves, unlocking that vinyl magic that will entrance you in the world of Hi-Fi. I recommend pairing it with Pro-Jects or some balanced gear to even out the slightly pronounced treble.
Ortofon 2M Blue
The Ortofon 2M Blue is similarly priced and is also a great cartridge, but it delivers and extracts sound differently than the Rainier. It does not extract as much information as the Rainier, but it does something incredible, which I really like, and that is expand the sound as much as it can in this price range. To perform to its fullest, it requires speakers that are also open, but it helps even other ones expand their stage drastically. It organizes elements well in their lane and place, and vocals sound smooth and gorgeous with this one. It lacks a bit of bite and does not extract as many details, but if you like big, open, airy sound, this one is for you! I recommend tube amps or preamps with this one to give the bass a bit more depth and strength.
Nagaoka MP-150
The Nagaoka MP-150 is for those who are interested in a more expensive cartridge than the Ortofon Blue or Rainier, but want to feel that real step up in sonic quality. One of the most impressive features of this cartridge is how it plays and enhances bass. There is a real feeling of strength and push, directly towards you. It is certainly the best cartridge for bass in this price level. Dynamics are open and lively, and while it’s not the last word in micro tonalism and details, it does extract a great amount to create a nice soundstage and nicely layer instruments and vocals. It spikes the treble a bit to create a musical feeling. I personally prefer the Goldring 1042 to this, as it extracts more details and is a more balanced phono, but if you like dynamic and lively sound, this might be for you. Pair this one with natural, balanced amps and preamps for maximum output.
Goldring 1042
The Goldring 1042 is my favorite cartridge in this category—not the best, but the one I think has the best value for money. If you want an MM cartridge that is a superb upgrade in every sonic aspect, this is the one. It is a mature update as it extracts a lot of information with its nude diamond stylus with Gyger S needle. There is great insight into those details, providing textures that allow for a richer and more interesting listen. The midrange benefits greatly from this extraction of information, making instruments sound more 3D and defined. The soundstage is not necessarily wider but is richer with information and presentation. Everything from vocals to drums, guitar, and synths sounds more defined and firmly present. The bass response is tipped towards the lower end, making it fuller and helping your amps and speakers fire richer and wider bass. It’s also a very balanced presentation. Pair this with mid-priced and up turntables, and a good phono preamp, to unlock its full potential. It plays well with everyone, perhaps more with solid-state amps and preamps than tube ones.
Ortofon MC Blue and HANA EL
The Ortofon Quintet MC Blue and Hana EL offer a cheap entrance to moving coil territory. These two moving coil cartridges excel in different areas, and there is no moving magnet in this price range that competes with them. The Quintet Blue is more open, airy, and dynamically richer than the HANA, but the HANA extracts more information and has a bit warmer presentation with richer bass. They both need good phono preamps to excel. They are rich, musical cartridges, and as moving coil cartridges, they are unmatched at their price.
Denon 103r
The Denon 103r is a cult classic and a fine moving coil cartridge. It depends heavily on how you pair this cartridge to determine the sound you will get. If you pair it with a light arm, it will sound balanced with an emphasis on upper mids and lower treble. Pair it with a heavier tonearm, and it becomes punchier, dynamic, and fun. It’s a cartridge that makes your music sound live and present. It works well with a large variety of gears, so there is no special synergy to recommend here.
Micro Benz Ace SL
The Micro Benz Ace SL is a fantastic cartridge with a lot of sonic dynamics, layer separation, and great soundstage. It is colorful in its sound, masterfully painting pictures. It extracts more details than most and creates a precise and clear sound. It requires a great phono preamp and possibly a heavier arm for dynamics extraction. Solid-state amps work better than tubes, as they help the phono be more precise and clear.
Hana SL
The Hana SL is my favorite 750 euro cartridge. It strikes a perfect balance, allowing a moving coil cartridge to be open and extract a wealth of information while being smooth and easy to listen to. It is warm and full, yet detailed and nicely textured. It offers great layer separation, imaging, and timing, making it seem like it should cost much more. The bass is rich and enveloping. It requires serious gear to shine, more balanced and punchy ones for good synergy. Solid-state and balanced gear work well, though tubes can make it fuller and richer.
Sumiko Amethyst
The Sumiko Amethyst is the best moving magnet on this list. It is punchy, agile, and full-sounding with incredible lower end. Dynamically, it opens all the way to the treble, making dynamics rise and shine when needed. It creates a fun sound that makes music listening a great experience. It goes especially well with tube amps and preamps. It does not require top gear to push this cartridge to its full potential.
Read Full Review here:
Honorable Mentions
Goldring E3 is a superb entry-level cartridge, better than stock ones, but not enough to warrant a purchase for upgrade. Add a bit more money for a real upgrade. Hana and Micro Benz are at the top, and Eroica is also an amazing cartridge in its own right.
Do you like and enjoy this list? Would you have done it differently? These lists are personal representations of us as listeners and consumers of audiophile gear. I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I daydream that one day I will listen to all the gear in the world. Please write in the comments how you feel and what you would add or remove.
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