Matching cartridge to turntable is the key to best sound

Q: I came across your website while researching a cartridge upgrade for my Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB turntable.

I am looking at the Audio-Technica AT-440MLA and Denon DL-110, but I also have heard good things about the Nagaoaka MP-110. I can get the AT-440MLA and Denon DL-110 for roughly the same price, around $185. The MP-110 is about $75 cheaper. I don't want to fall into the trap of, "This is more expensive so it will sound better."

I am leaning toward the DL-110 because it is moving coil, and I was under the impression that moving coil is better than moving magnet. Again, this could be untrue. I just want the best tone I can get, whether that means spending more or less.

A: The AT-LP120-USB is a very good turntable, especially when price is factored into the equation.

You said that you want the best tone you can get regardless of whether you end up spending more or less. There are some expensive cartridges, such as Audio-Technica's wonderful AT-150MLX ($325), that will work on your turntable and do a good job.

But given the turntable's $250 selling price, I would not mount a $325 cartridge on it. As I have said in previous columns, the turntable trumps the cartridge in the scheme of things, and putting an expensive cartridge on a budget turntable is kind of like putting racing tires on an economy car. If you want to invest that much, you would be better off selling your turntable and getting a $500 turntable that includes a cartridge, such as a Pro-Ject RM-1.3 or Pro-Ject Debut Carbon.

Moving coils are not necessarily better than moving magnets. It depends on the cartridges being compared and how they match up with a specific turntable. I did some research on your behalf, and the Denon moving coils match poorly to your turntable.

The LP Gear BIN 215 is an update of a classic moving coil cartridge design and uses a very fine elliptical stylus to extract the maximum amount of detail from the record grooves while reducing wear and surface noise. Because LP Gear (www.lpgear.com) imports it directly under its own brand name, it costs less than it would if it were marketed by a big-name manufacturer.

If you want the best tone, the BIN 215 will deliver. Along with the fine detail and low noise, it offers wonderful tonal quality with a tremendous amount of depth to the stereo image. What's more, it is undemanding as far as its turntable requirements and has tested well with your turntable. I think it would be a good choice and a great introduction to moving coil cartridges for you.

If you decide to move forward with a purchase, I recommend that you buy a headshell as well and have it sent to you pre-mounted, so you can put it on your turntable without messing with tiny screws and alignment issues. A good cartridge won't sound good at all if it is not mounted properly.