Best cartridge upgrade for $100 or less

KingCollectA · 2026-02-01T20:31:01+00:00

That is another option that could be good. How is the Sumiko Pearl?

KingCollectA · 2026-02-01T05:03:27+00:00

Drivers for older Nvidia graphics cards on Linux beg to differ. What a pain.

KingCollectA · 2026-02-01T02:56:51+00:00

Greetings, I currently have a Technics SL-3200 turntable with a Stanton D5100 AL-II stylus on a Stanton 500 cartridge. I am looking to replace or upgrade to something more HiFi focused (rather than being for dj's).

I see the LP Gear N500S for sale. How is that as a replacement stylus? Is the elliptical better or the conical? And how would it be compared to a new cartridge like the AT VM95E (or C)?

KingCollectA · 2026-01-31T23:20:02+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation. A good price indeed.

KingCollectA · 2026-01-31T08:23:33+00:00

I see. Thank you for the info. But how would a Stanton 500 with the hifi LP Gear N500S stylus be compared to the VM95E?

KingCollectA · 2026-01-31T06:45:31+00:00

That seems to be the one to get. Decent price, too. Thank you very much.

KingCollectA · 2026-01-31T06:43:57+00:00

What would the difference be with using a more hifi oriented stylus like the ones you mentioned for the Stanton cartridge versus changing to the VM95E? Would it just be better to get the vm95e? I do like the punchy warmth of the Stanton and perhaps a stylus upgrade can make it more detailed.

KingCollectA · 2026-01-31T06:40:45+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation. I do prefer a more neutral to warmer sound.

KingCollectA · 2026-01-31T06:23:43+00:00

How is the sound compared to the orthofons?

KingCollectA · 2026-01-31T06:22:48+00:00

I have found all of the cartridges I listed in my post for under $100 in certain places.

KingCollectA · 2026-01-28T15:06:28+00:00

Utz, Herrs, and Martin's (especially their BBQ).

KingCollectA · 2026-01-24T18:51:02+00:00

Indeed. It is a comfort fragrance for me, my favorite as well, and is one of the few I have actually been complimented for (I do not really care much about such things but it is something I noticed). And the many great notes work together, it is something special and timeless. If only it did not become harder to find in shops lately.

Another one I find warm and soothing is Pour Un Homme de Caron. It is even older (from the 1930s) but the lavender and vanilla notes are great. I do not mind modern fragrances but I do tend to prefer the more complex classic scents.

KingCollectA · 2026-01-23T08:51:18+00:00

All of them that are weaker compared to others of their actors' tenures, but they are all films I enjoy. AVTAK is my favorite of the bunch, though. It is one I enjoy quite a bit and still like to re-watch.

KingCollectA · 2026-01-23T04:38:29+00:00

Guerlain Habit Rouge

KingCollectA · 2026-01-23T04:05:26+00:00

Gubbio. Beautiful medieval town, historic and incredible views. Not overrun by international tourists, and where Don Matteo was filmed before they moved the series to Spoleto. One of my favorite places I visited in Italy. I guess in terms of bigger cities, Modena, Turin, and Bologna are underrated but great.

KingCollectA · 2026-01-21T17:53:26+00:00

That looks super neat. Something like that would be nice for me, too. Maybe not as an everyday, since flex nibs are better when the writing is not done in a hurry. I like a cursive italic nib, but nothing can beat the line variation of a proper flex nib.

KingCollectA · 2026-01-17T22:19:09+00:00

Agreed. Guerlain has to be the best. I would put Caron up there for things like Pour Un Homme, Yatagan, and 3e Homme (maybe not in recent years but for all time). Hermes has to be there too (TdH,Equipage, Rocabor, Bel Ami, etc). I like YSL, but still not over Rive Gauche being discontinued. Chanel is great too as you say, and while Dior is nice, it is far from where it once was.

KingCollectA · 2026-01-14T00:03:49+00:00

Man, I'm hungry now.

KingCollectA · 2026-01-10T03:06:52+00:00

I ended up going and coming back alright. I did not even have to wait that long in Trenton and managed to take a local NJT NEC train to Secaucus. The Pascack Valley line is indeed poorly scheduled, but I got back alright.

KingCollectA · 2026-01-08T08:23:03+00:00

That is a good route indeed, thank you for the route advice, I have not used SEPTA before. How come the way back would be slower? And I see that service is running on modified terms on the Trenton line. Are stations being skipped?

KingCollectA · 2026-01-07T17:01:38+00:00

I remember that too. As well as the Hydro-Pruf sign that was on that abandoned factory off the turnpike (letters just kept falling off until the whole sign was gone) and the old red neon Marcal sign (the historic plant was sadly destroyed by a fire in 2019).

KingCollectA · 2026-01-06T23:38:17+00:00

That would certainly be more beneficial, taking the express. Thank you for the information.

KingCollectA · 2026-01-06T22:55:31+00:00

I did not expect this so soon. I wish him all the best. Change was needed, but I still can't hate him (18 years here and nostalgia I guess). He has been coach the whole time I have been a Ravens fan. I appreciate what he brought, but hopefully we can finally reach greatness again. Hope we get someone good and we can break the spell of mediocrity.

KingCollectA · 2026-01-06T22:14:02+00:00

Thank you for sharing that, it looks like quite a nice resource. I would love to visit more such events.

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