Got a budget turntable with a so-so cartridge, or you simply need a new one? You can’t go wrong with Ortofon’s 2M Red, a great-sounding replacement that won’t break the bank. Though it’s the entry-level model in Ortofon’s lineup, this moving-magnet model has an elliptical diamond stylus and split-pole pins that should yield tighter, cleaner highs, with none of the harshness or stridency you often get with low-priced cartridges. Willing to spend just a bit more? Grado’s Prestige Red ($150) will yield a bit better tracking and improved imaging and detail.
