If you want a taste of high end cartridge sound you could try a Dynavector 10X5 or a Sumiko Blue Point Special. I liked the original Blue Point so much I traded up to a Blackbird. If those are a little "pricey" I highly recommend a Denon DL-101.
All my recommendations are high output MC carts. IMO MC carts sound better than MM. They have a more open and relaxed sound to them. The high output ones don't need the extra amp stage or a step up transformer.

pc's suggestions are good. The 2M Red gets my vote.


I use an Ortofon HMC30 with a Marcoff head amp for low output MC's. I have ordered a Jico SAS stylus for my old Shure V15IV. I'm looking forward to hearing it again. It's the same Shure the Telarc 1812 snapped the stylus off years ago. It's been sitting in the closet with the Micro Seiki DQ-43 I'm currently using.

The Blackbird is my favorite of my current cartridges.