If you fancy a listen to the MM while you decide I can fire it down.
Apparently there’s also a new Nagaoka cartridge on the way, above the MP-500.
The only MC I have used in recent years is the Hana SL. My weapon of choice is the IQ3, so not sure if that would qualify.
A kind offer Al, but I have heard a stock Ortofon 2M Black and I didn’t warm to it, so to speak. I assume the Acoustic Signature tweaks are not that significant?
I have an AN IO1 if that is of interest
Do I need to fuck about with step-up transformers with that?
All important question - do you prefer detail and soundstage presentation or warmth and more meat on the bones type sound?
Shelter 501 is at the top end of your budget.
I have never owned one but had a 901 which was superb, not analytical like Lyra etc and maybe slightly on the warm side re Wayne’s post above
Luxman LMC-5 looks interesting.
Possibly
The MC SUT in you Allnic H-1202 appears to have a 32 dB option, which is 1:40, you would probably be ok with that in my experience
The Kondo SUTs have 34 dB option, which is 1:50, while AN UK dont publish gain or turns ratio details
My sub £2k recommendation would be a Shelter 5000 if you can find one. Criterion have one listed on their website. Whether it is in stock or not is a different matter.
I’ve not heard a stock 2M Black but the AS version is a great cart.
I was thinking of swapping out the MCX for it so you can have a loan of that if you fancy a listen - it’s on a headshell so I can send the whole thing - less faff.
Which I suspect is why you like the original SL, I’ve always found that tremendously even in doing both.
If you want both then you don’t want one or the other so personally I’d steer clear of any Ortofon (or except SPU) as I’ve always found them to be capable but lean and dry sounding.
Also going up the Hana scale, the Umami blue is on the lean side and the red the opposite and has tons of body and weight in comparison.
I’d echo the Shelter recommendation even though I think the price of them has escalated a lot recently and if I’m honest I think they’re maybe a tad overpriced.
A suggestion it would be worth looking into is Phasemation. I’ve heard a few and liked them all pretty much for the same reasons as liking the SL but they give you more of everything.
The Ortofon SPU Royal N is very nice when I have heard it and sensible money
Yep I’m looking for a nice s/h one to try.
I know Kevin at Definitive uses them, so perhaps worth checking if he has a ex demo one with low hours.
Been a while since I was active but I have an as new boxed Ortofon cadenza bronze. I bought it and a cadenza black to try. I played 2 laps with the bronze before swapping in the black. I liked the dry transparency of the black more than the more musical. Bronze so I’ve never retried the bronze I thought at the time I’d keep it as back up or to maybe try again in future or put on my daughters deck but have never done it. It’s a waste of a cracking cartridge and I could do with the cash to subsidise kids uni fees. Can send you some pics etc if interested.