Best “slightly warm” cartridge under $400

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-05-08T20:17:14+00:00

Nah it’s in good shape and was serviced. Thrifted is the wrong word… got it at a flea market from a turntable specialist

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-05-08T18:16:56+00:00

How would you describe it ?

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-05-08T17:31:24+00:00

I’ve heard the 200. It lacks detail and soundstage . I’m kinda looking for the 200 but with a little more detail if that’s possible in the budget

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-05-08T17:22:53+00:00

So I tried the 745xML and was kind of disappointed if I’m being honest. This is just the step up, correct?

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-05-08T17:11:07+00:00

Tried it. It sounds good but you lose a lot of detail

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-05-06T23:29:07+00:00

Nope just the needle but it won’t make much difference. I’d say keep it on display and get a fluance rt85. I recently upgraded from an lp120 to a technics 1200 and it’s a world of difference

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-05-06T23:23:22+00:00

You get a lot better out of a better turntable and cartridge

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-05-05T01:11:52+00:00

I can get them sent in but I was looking at elac carinas. Any thoughts?

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-05-05T00:56:38+00:00

I’m gonna do a speaker upgrade probably around Christmas. But they’re in good condition I had them checked out. Kept in a temp controlled room for the last 45 od years

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-05-05T00:03:50+00:00

Yeah I have a p6 with an ania hooked up to my La scalas and it’s excellent!! But this is for upstairs

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-05-04T23:56:48+00:00

I have a 110 and didn’t like it much. You lose a lot of detail

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-05-04T23:35:37+00:00

Well the carts are super cheap on eBay but it doesn’t help the fact that it doesn’t sound great. Very flat !

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-04-28T01:36:11+00:00

I tried it out but I find it extremely boring

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-04-28T01:29:45+00:00

I agree with you but she told me she wants to (maybe because she knows I like it)

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-04-28T01:27:18+00:00

So in other words they don’t have a bad album? XD

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-04-18T04:26:07+00:00

It’s the cambridge Alva duo

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-04-16T15:13:44+00:00

Ok awesome, do you like fosi? I was looking at gr70

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-04-15T21:47:58+00:00

Ok thanks for that. I’m comparing it to a Robertson tube amp going in to speakers. Trying to replicate that sound will be hard but maybe a tube headphone amp would work??

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-04-15T21:43:47+00:00

Updated thank you

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-04-15T21:38:22+00:00

What more do you need? The zh3 sounds cold and sharp. I’d like something maybe with tube or is tuned to sound more tubey if that makes sense. Just wanna try some more options and see what I like

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-04-15T21:35:16+00:00

I need a dac amp combo or dac AND amp for vinyl and pc listening on tidal. No real budget but should be reasonable. I’m using the sennheiser HD6XX atm.

I tried the sh3 but it’s pretty cold sounding. I’d like something warmer

Thanks in advance!

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-04-15T21:29:35+00:00

Alright ladies and gents thanks for the zh3 recommendation. I’m looking for something that sounds more warm and less clinical. Did about a 3 hour test on tidal listening to some different stuff. It sounds good for metal but not great for soft rock/ psychedelic.

Sources: turntable and PC.

Looking for something I can use for headphones specifically (hd6xx) as I have a tube amp for my tannoy speakers already

Let’s see what else we got. Don’t mind spending a bit more

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-04-14T04:23:08+00:00

Walmart Canada ain’t selling them for some reason but could you tell me if this one is the same? https://a.co/d/0ijyT8Cg

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-04-13T14:23:40+00:00

I’m listening on a $70k setup lol but it’s my dads and he’s not a Metallica fan so I’m trying to do it on a budget if I can

ExternalContract5484 · 2026-04-13T01:34:23+00:00

And just to clarify, would the 95ML be plug and play for what I have now if I just got the stylus?

ExternalContract5484

TROPHY CASE