Cartridge Type Question

[Woochifer]

Even with a moving magnet cart, it's not at all unusual to have a 20+ db difference in the prevailing levels between your turntable and other components. This is because even with moving magnet carts, you got a lot of variation in the output level between different cartridges AND a lot of variation in the step-up provided between different receivers/preamps' phono inputs.

If you find that you need to crank up the volume up so far that it introduces unacceptable levels of noise into your playback, you might want to get a phono preamp anyway. The phono inputs on a lot of receivers don't sufficiently step up the turntable output and have marginal sound quality to begin with.

I would seriously doubt that your turntable was fitted with a moving coil cartridge since those are generally a lot more expensive; and you don't typically find them fitted onto entry and mid level turntables, since you have to swap out the entire cartridge body when the stylus wears out.

In addition to Shure and Audio Technica, you should also look into the Ortofon OM series and the Grado cartridges, if you decide not to simply replace the stylus on your existing cartridge. The Shures and Ortofons are known for their tracking ability, so that might be a consideration if you buy a lot of used LPs. FYI, the Ortofon OM cartridges are on sale right now -- the OM10 is going for $70 at the Needle Doctor.

If output level is a concern, the Grado Prestige series cartridges have an output of 5.0 mV, while the Shure, Audio Technica, and Ortofon cartridges have an output of 4.0 mV. The only drawback with the Grados is that they are purportedly susceptible to humming with certain turntables that have unshielded belt drive motors (the Duals and ARs are particularly susceptible). That's generally not an issue with Technics decks.