Hey gang, I bought a used Pioneer PL-518 TT. What's a good cartridge to match it? My ball park budget is $50-200, but I'm interested in the discounted Shure M97XE. I don't think I'm ready for MC- I don't have an MC phono preamp and don't want to spend the coin.

The PL-518 came with a Shure 2215 cartridge with a 2225 stylus. It looks like replacement stylus are $13 to $30, but I don't think the cartridge it worthy of a new stylus. I'd rather spend the coin on a new cartridge.

My main train is a Yamaha RX-797 (with MM PHONO input) into two Kilpsch RF-7s, but I have other options (Yamaha RX-777, Optimus 2B). My favorite music is 60's-70's Rock-n-Roll.

My current TT is working well,
Philips GA312/Stanton 681EEE/Jico D6800EEE-S Shibata Stylus => Yamaha RX-797 (with MM PHONO input) => two Kilpsch RF-7s, although I need to debug some low-level humm issues.

For my audio education, I'll likely rotate the new cartidge and my current 681EEE/Jico D6800EEE-S between the PL-518 and the GA312. I've never wandered far from my 1978 Philips GA312/Stanton 681EEE. I'm ready to explore.

Thanks