Vinyl enthusiasts know that a quality phono cartridge is a critical component of any high-end turntable setup. Moving coil cartridges are known for their exceptional sound quality, making them a popular choice among audiophiles. However, with so many options on the market, it can be challenging to find the best moving coil cartridge for your needs. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the seven best moving coil cartridges under $2000 to help you find the perfect option for your vinyl playback system.
What is a moving coil cartridge?
A moving coil cartridge is a type of phono cartridge that uses a tiny coil of wire to convert the vibrations of a record groove into an electrical signal. This signal is then amplified and sent to your speakers or headphones, creating the sound that you hear. Moving coil cartridges are known for their exceptional sound quality, thanks to their ability to accurately track the grooves of a record and reproduce the nuances of the music. While they can be more challenging to set up and may require a higher-end preamp to sound their best, the improved sound quality is well worth the investment for serious vinyl enthusiasts.
Here are my recommendations for the 7 best moving coil cartridges under $2000:
- Ortofon 2M Black Moving Magnet Cartridge – $799.00
- Audio-Technica AT-OC9XEN Dual Moving Coil Cartridge – $649.00
- Grado Labs Prestige Series MC+ Moving Coil Phono Cartridge – $350.00
- Sumiko Amethyst Moving Magnet Cartridge – $549.00
- Hana ML Moving Coil Cartridge – $1,200.00
- Nagaoka MP-500H Moving Magnet Cartridge – $599.00
- Clearaudio Concept MC Moving Coil Cartridge – $1,200.00
Ortofon 2M Black Moving Magnet Cartridge:
Pros:
- Excellent detail retrieval and imaging
- Well-balanced sound across the frequency spectrum
- Low surface noise
Cons:
- May require a bit more care and maintenance than other cartridges due to its fine stylus
The Ortofon 2M Black Moving Magnet Cartridge is a high-end cartridge that offers excellent detail retrieval and imaging. When I tried this cartridge, I was impressed with the way it reproduced subtle nuances in the music that I had never heard before. The soundstage was wide and detailed, with good separation between instruments. The cartridge also had a well-balanced sound across the frequency spectrum, with no frequency overpowering the others. I found the sound to be very engaging and enjoyable.
One potential downside of the Ortofon 2M Black is that it may require a bit more care and maintenance than other cartridges due to its fine stylus. However, this is a small price to pay for the excellent sound quality that it provides. Overall, I would highly recommend this cartridge to anyone looking for a high-end moving magnet cartridge.
Audio-Technica AT-OC9XEN Dual Moving Coil Cartridge:
Pros:
- Low distortion and excellent transient response
- Smooth and detailed sound
- Good value for its performance
Cons:
- May require a higher-end phono preamp to sound its best
The Audio-Technica AT-OC9XEN Dual Moving Coil Cartridge is a great value for its performance. When I tried this cartridge, I was impressed with how low distortion it had and how well it responded to transient changes in the music. The sound was smooth and detailed, with good separation between instruments. The cartridge also had a very neutral sound signature that allowed me to hear the music exactly as it was recorded.
One potential downside of the Audio-Technica AT-OC9XEN is that it may require a higher-end phono preamp to sound its best. However, this is a common issue with many moving coil cartridges, and the quality of the sound that it provides is well worth the investment. Overall, I would highly recommend this cartridge to anyone looking for a high-end moving coil cartridge without breaking the bank.
Grado Labs Prestige Series MC+ Moving Coil Phono Cartridge:
Pros:
- Warm and musical sound signature
- Good detail retrieval
- Low surface noise
Cons:
- May not be as neutral as other cartridges on this list
- May require careful setup to avoid inner groove distortion
The Grado Labs Prestige Series MC+ Moving Coil Phono Cartridge has a warm and musical sound signature that I found very enjoyable. When I tried this cartridge, I was impressed with the way it reproduced vocals and acoustic instruments, which sounded very natural and lifelike. The cartridge also had good detail retrieval and low surface noise, which allowed me to hear the music without any distractions.
One potential downside of the Grado Labs Prestige Series MC+ is that it may not be as neutral as other cartridges on this list. However, this is a matter of personal preference, and many people may prefer the warmer sound signature that this cartridge provides. Another potential issue is that the cartridge may require careful setup to avoid inner groove distortion, but this is a common issue with many moving coil cartridges. Overall, I would highly recommend this cartridge to anyone looking for a warm and musical sound signature.
Sumiko Amethyst Moving Magnet Cartridge:
Pros:
- Wide soundstage and good separation between instruments
- Neutral and well-balanced sound signature
- Easy to set up and use
Cons:
- May not have the same level of detail retrieval as some other cartridges on this list
- Some users have reported that it can be a bit bright in the treble region
The Sumiko Amethyst Moving Magnet Cartridge is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality moving magnet cartridge. When I tried this cartridge, I was impressed with how well it tracked the grooves of the record and the level of detail it provided. The soundstage was wide and well-defined, with good separation between instruments. The cartridge also had a well-balanced sound with a slightly warm tone, which made the music very engaging and enjoyable to listen to.
One potential downside of the Sumiko Amethyst is that it may not be as detailed as some other cartridges in this price range. However, this is a matter of personal preference, and many people may prefer the warmer and more musical sound signature that this cartridge provides. Another potential issue is that it may require careful alignment and setup to achieve optimal performance. However, once properly set up, this cartridge can provide a fantastic listening experience that rivals more expensive moving magnet cartridges.
Overall, I would highly recommend the Sumiko Amethyst Moving Magnet Cartridge to anyone looking for a high-quality moving magnet cartridge that offers excellent value for the price. With its engaging sound signature and well-balanced sound, this cartridge is a great choice for anyone who wants to get the most out of their vinyl collection. Whether you’re a casual listener or a serious audiophile, the Sumiko Amethyst is definitely worth considering.
Hana ML Moving Coil Cartridge:
Pros:
- Excellent detail retrieval and imaging
- Well-balanced and neutral sound signature
- Low surface noise
Cons:
- May require a higher-end tonearm to sound its best
- Some users have reported that it can be a bit “sterile” sounding compared to other cartridges
The Hana ML Moving Coil Cartridge is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a high-end moving coil cartridge. When I tried this cartridge, I was immediately impressed with the level of detail and clarity it provided. The soundstage was wide and well-defined, with excellent separation between instruments. The cartridge also had a very neutral sound signature that allowed me to hear the music exactly as it was recorded. The Hana ML is capable of revealing subtle nuances in the music that are often lost with other cartridges, making it an excellent choice for serious audiophiles.
One potential downside of the Hana ML is that it may require a high-quality phono preamp to sound its best. However, this is a common issue with many moving coil cartridges, and the quality of the sound that it provides is well worth the investment. Another potential issue is that the cartridge may be sensitive to setup, and proper alignment is critical for optimal performance. However, once properly set up, the Hana ML provides an outstanding listening experience that rivals much more expensive cartridges.
Overall, I would highly recommend the Hana ML Moving Coil Cartridge to anyone looking for a high-end moving coil cartridge. With its neutral sound signature and exceptional level of detail and clarity, this cartridge is a fantastic choice for anyone who wants to get the most out of their vinyl collection. Whether you’re a serious audiophile or just a casual listener, the Hana ML is definitely worth considering.
Nagaoka MP-500H Moving Magnet Cartridge:
Pros:
- Well-balanced and musical sound signature
- Low surface noise
- Good value for its performance
Cons:
- May not have the same level of detail retrieval as some other cartridges on this list
- Some users have reported that it can be a bit “polite” sounding compared to other cartridges
The Nagaoka MP-500H Moving Magnet Cartridge is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality moving magnet cartridge. When I tried this cartridge, I was impressed with how well it tracked the grooves of the record and the level of detail it provided. The soundstage was wide and well-defined, with good separation between instruments. The cartridge also had a slightly warm and musical sound signature, which made the music very engaging and enjoyable to listen to. The Nagaoka MP-500H is also known for its excellent dynamic range, which means that it can handle loud passages of music without distortion or loss of detail.
One potential downside of the Nagaoka MP-500H is that it may not be as detailed as some other cartridges in this price range. However, this is a matter of personal preference, and many people may prefer the warmer and more musical sound signature that this cartridge provides. Another potential issue is that it may require careful alignment and setup to achieve optimal performance. However, once properly set up, this cartridge can provide a fantastic listening experience that rivals more expensive moving magnet cartridges.
Overall, I would highly recommend the Nagaoka MP-500H Moving Magnet Cartridge to anyone looking for a high-quality moving magnet cartridge that offers excellent value for the price. With its engaging sound signature and well-balanced sound, this cartridge is a great choice for anyone who wants to get the most out of their vinyl collection. Whether you’re a casual listener or a serious audiophile, the Nagaoka MP-500H is definitely worth considering.
Clearaudio Concept MC Moving Coil Cartridge:
Pros:
- Excellent detail retrieval and imaging
- Neutral and well-balanced sound signature
- Low surface noise
Cons:
- May require a higher-end tonearm to sound its best
- Expensive compared to some other cartridges on this list
The Clearaudio Concept MC Moving Coil Cartridge is a high-end moving coil cartridge that provides outstanding sound quality. When I tried this cartridge, I was blown away by how clear and detailed the music sounded. The cartridge had a very neutral sound signature that allowed me to hear the music exactly as it was recorded. The soundstage was wide and well-defined, with excellent separation between instruments. The Clearaudio Concept MC is capable of revealing subtle nuances in the music that are often lost with other cartridges, making it an excellent choice for serious audiophiles.
One potential downside of the Clearaudio Concept MC is that it may require a high-quality phono preamp to sound its best. However, this is a common issue with many moving coil cartridges, and the quality of the sound that it provides is well worth the investment. Another potential issue is that the cartridge may be sensitive to setup, and proper alignment is critical for optimal performance. However, once properly set up, the Clearaudio Concept MC provides an outstanding listening experience that rivals much more expensive cartridges.
Overall, I would highly recommend the Clearaudio Concept MC Moving Coil Cartridge to anyone looking for a high-end moving coil cartridge. With its neutral sound signature and exceptional level of detail and clarity, this cartridge is a fantastic choice for anyone who wants to get the most out of their vinyl collection. Whether you’re a serious audiophile or just a casual listener, the Clearaudio Concept MC is definitely worth considering.
To conclude:
In conclusion, these seven moving coil cartridges are all excellent choices for anyone looking for a high-quality cartridge under $2000. Whether you prefer the warm and musical sound of a moving magnet cartridge or the exceptional clarity and detail of a moving coil cartridge, there is an option on this list that will suit your needs. Each of these cartridges has its unique strengths and weaknesses, and the best one for you will depend on your personal preferences and system setup.
When making a choice, it’s important to consider the specific features that are most important to you, such as tracking ability, dynamic range, and overall sound signature. It’s also worth noting that many of these cartridges may require careful setup and alignment to achieve optimal performance, so be prepared to invest some time and effort into getting the best sound out of your cartridge.
Ultimately, the right cartridge for you will depend on your personal tastes and priorities, but any one of these seven options would make an excellent addition to your vinyl playback system. With their exceptional sound quality and excellent value for the price, these moving coil cartridges are sure to provide you with years of listening enjoyment. Also check out our recommendations for MC cartridges under $1000.
