![]() What you also get is a mechanical trade-off - you fundamentally need the right arm and turntable to handle all the energy created by MC cartridges tracking records. What you get from an MC with a good preamp or step-up is a lot more audible bandwidth and for want of a better term, transient 'snap' - on everything you play. My gut feeling from looking at the physical arrangements is that MC, particularly the low output MC, is fundamentally more linear over it's movement range.īoth can work well, particularly at the middle price range (say $600-2000) but above that the MCs really rule. ![]() I believe there's a fundamental difference in impedances when you're waving a tiny magnet (or magnet surrogate) around by a set of big coils and waving a tiny coil around in a comparatively huge magnetic field. ![]() I don't design cartridges, but have used a few. Perhaps someday I'll take the plunge and go that route. I have heard fantastic demo's of low output MC cartridges with appropriate electronics in hifi shops. Not only is the cartridge (with a non replaceable stylus) setting you back $900-5000, but because of the miniscule output, the electronics have to be first rate as well. As far as I can tell, it takes seriously big bucks to do it right. I have never stepped up to the low output MC cartridge plan. Maybe some rock records may have been more pleasant to listen to with the MM type cartridges, as they have a less 'delicate" sound. Tracking is cleaner, and there is less surface noise. The change in sound from MM to MC was quite dramatic, as the MC has a much more detailed sound and faster response, to my ears. This was primarily done to match the gain with my newly acquired Audio Research SP6 preamp-the Adikt's output was too hot for the ARC phono stage and there was clipping. Last year I switched from a MM Linn Adikt to a high output moving coil Dynavector 20x2H. I think the result you would get from different types of cartridges would be greatly affected by the type of phone stage you intend to mate it with.Īnyway, for many years I used MM cartridges (Grado, Sumiko, Linn). In an email I received early last decade, Shure recommended the Rane PS1 as their phono stage of choice. This way, loading the Audio Technica or even my odd vintage Shure M55 will now be possible, without modifying the phono stage - I'll just use the Rane PS1 (unfortunately, it's no longer available). The Rane PS1 has loading for 100pf (Audio Technica) 240pf (many common MM cartridges), and 450 (the odd Shure M55 and perhaps the original V15). OH, I should mention, I got my RANE phono stage back from a friend when he changed to a USB based phono box. I even ran the Shure V15 V before their styli were made of unobtainium (still preferred the Audio Technica AT440MLa just slightly better overall though). My own experience has been that the Audio Technica is a great all-around cartridge, while the Ortofon Super OM doesn't quite like the heavier arms (such as Linn Akito or Ittok). I just set up a stock Linn Axis/Akito combo where I installed an AT130E stylus'd AT125LC cartridge and it sounded awesome, so that's another favorite. My favorite MM cartridge for my own setups has been the Ortofon Super OM with either 20, 30 or 40 stylus. A moving coil just doesn't quite suit my own personal needs, but it may be a good choice for someone else. ![]() There's just too many variables for me to choose a cartridge with the limit of having 1 stylus choice. Again, the only MC that I had was the Ortofon X3, as mentioned in the first paragraph.Īs for myself, I just can't get used to the idea of a non-replaceable stylus and inability to quickly change. I even heard from the local used record store owner that he really enjoys his Dynavector 10x5 cartridge on his VPI HW19 turntable setup with ? tonearm (and I've heard others who were satisfied with that cartridge choice). #Layauto vs magnet plusOn the plus side of MC cartridges, they're said to be great for classical music and such, and they have their place in an audio system. Same with the mid-priced Audio Technica MM (AT440MLa, AT120E and the similar designs within that group). At least with most MM cartridges, the styli can be changed, and with my Ortofon Super OM, I can change between a nude elliptical (20) super elliptical (30) and FG70 (40) styli. As for surface noise, sometimes the stylus can be a determining factor there. ![]() I have heard that some more expensive MC cartridges are great sounding, but are well beyond my (ever so limited) budget. I have very limited experience with moving coils: The lower end one that I owned for a short time (Ortofon X3, moving coil) sounded too bright and thin to me, while the Ortofon Super OM (a moving magnet) has that great all-around sound. ![]()
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