Good budget needles for turntables?

[Patch]

I'm sure you can get cheaper generic headshells on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-X-SILVER...EAAOSwoBtW4XWS

[keithace]

I'm sure you can get cheaper generic headshells on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-X-SILVER...EAAOSwoBtW4XWS

I'm sure shipping from the UK would negate any savings...

[djproben]

Shure M44-7s should cost you south of 150 if you buy the headshell separately and mount it yourself. Premounted I've seen them around $80-90 each so not too much over budget, but mounting isn't really that hard and it seems worth the savings to me. And they don't seem too bad as far as record wear goes unless you do a lot of scratching (and there probably aren't any needles that won't create record wear with enough scratching; the 447s are actually designed for it so they'll do a lot better on your records if you do scratch). M35s are also a great bet from everything I've heard but I haven't used them since I was a kid and really didn't think much about such things. My experience with Ortofons has been slightly louder sound but far worse record wear (the only version I've extensively used was their pink "scratch" needles, so probably doesn't apply to their "club" series). Personally do not like concorde style at all but it's an individual preference.

For truly budget carts look at Stanton A500s they're about $20 each for the carts and they will do the trick just fine (though you'll want to upgrade sooner than later). Whereas with the 44-7s other than changing the stylus every couple years you won't ever look back.

[Schalenberg]

Found a pair of M44-7s + Technics headshells (unmounted) for $120 after shopping around. Thanks guys.