Right now I have a Systemdek IIX with a Profile II tonearm that runs a Nagaoka MP-200 MM cartridge.
I quite enjoy my setup but alas I'm always looking for the "next best thing". My MP200 also is getting up there in terms of hours and could use a replacement.
I am thinking of getting in to the world of MC cartridges. Any recommendations for a MC cartridge? I would say budget is about $600 USD.
I think I'd prefer HOMC but I guess it doesn't really matter. I am going to build a new phono stage to go with whatever cartridge I choose.
I quite enjoy my setup but alas I'm always looking for the "next best thing". My MP200 also is getting up there in terms of hours and could use a replacement.
I am thinking of getting in to the world of MC cartridges. Any recommendations for a MC cartridge? I would say budget is about $600 USD.
I think I'd prefer HOMC but I guess it doesn't really matter. I am going to build a new phono stage to go with whatever cartridge I choose.
I am researching phono stages now but its hard to choose a design when I don't know what cart I am going to use it with. Right now I have a Muffsy phono stage, passive RIAA op-amp based, ok but I think it could be improved upon.
I think you would have to spend more than $600 on an MC cartridge that will substantially improve on the performance of your $500 MP-200.
Spend your money on a better arm first. I've heard a IIX with a modded RB250 arm. It's was a big improvement over the Profile arm.
jeff
I haven't heard one, but if it's going for reasonable money, I'd snag it. You'll need to make a new armboard for your table for this arm.
jeff
Don't think it will last long at that price. Don't see how you could loose, even if you decide not to keep it long term.
jeff
jeff
If I did up my budget what carts would you recommend for a nice intro to MC?
Ended up getting it
I will have to make a new armboard I think but I've been meaning to upgrade the Systemdek IIX's tonearm for a while now. I think the Rega RB330 will be a good upgrade and provide a solid new baseline to base things on for my table.
Congrats! Now you will definitely be ok if you decide to go Moving Coil down the road. I'm a long term AT33PTG user, and would recommend the newer "II" version as a solid LOMC cartridge to try.
jeff
Old Pass Pearl 1 with Sowter step-up transformers. Newer Pearl 2 might work without step-up transformers. Probably depends on how much gain you have upstream.
jeff
jeff
In the middle price range it can be difficult to to decide on whether MM or MC is the right choice for a system.
It's really down to your ears to decide, if you are lucky enough to be able to audition different cartridges.
It's when you start moving up into pricy high-end cartridges that MCs really rule.
I'm a fan of the modern Ortofon MM cartridges. The new Ortofon 2M Black LVB MM has a boron cantilever, is priced at $999 and is lauded as a top MM cartridge.
My opinion is that you would have to pay much more than that for an MC cartridge that could better this MM's performance.
Attachments
I know I am contrary. But I don't think MCs really 'rule' at any point other than having a superior pride of ownership and some great stories to tell your friends.
I also am of the opinion that the best cartridges were made pre 1985 and all that has happened since is that prices have gone up! So I do have some old wierd stuff in the collection. But I would second anything from the AT32/33 series old or new as a good starting point.
I also am of the opinion that the best cartridges were made pre 1985 and all that has happened since is that prices have gone up! So I do have some old wierd stuff in the collection. But I would second anything from the AT32/33 series old or new as a good starting point.
Nearly half a century ago, I replaced my Shure V15 with a Denon DL-103: day and night!
A lowly $200 MC will blow away any MM.
Sorry Bill.
A lowly $200 MC will blow away any MM.
Sorry Bill.
It's true that I rate spatial and temporal accuracies above frequency response. MM's do (relatively) well in this last category, whereas the first 2 categories require a bit more resolution in the whole reproduction chain.
How is an MC more spacially accurate? Mechanism not a recollection of you and JC from 50 years ago when both drunk please 😛
Ah....the Sirens call of LOMC carts..............
would agree with @Galu, would need to spend more than 600 on an MC cart to outperform the MP-200. The MP-200 is a nice sounding cart, have two of them, as well as 25 other carts, both MM and LOMC carts. What are you using for a phono stage? lots of options there. If it were me, I would be inclined to consider upgrading the phono stage first and see where that takes you.
Also agree with Bill in the UK, so many LOMC carts do not have a flat response unless you really load them down, or are adding artifacts that are not in the recording. Some interpret this as added detail.
All a person needs to do is compare their fav LOMC cart in their fav arm to same recording on 15 ips half track tape, (a number of them are available), and you can hear all the artifacts added by the MC cart.
would agree with @Galu, would need to spend more than 600 on an MC cart to outperform the MP-200. The MP-200 is a nice sounding cart, have two of them, as well as 25 other carts, both MM and LOMC carts. What are you using for a phono stage? lots of options there. If it were me, I would be inclined to consider upgrading the phono stage first and see where that takes you.
Also agree with Bill in the UK, so many LOMC carts do not have a flat response unless you really load them down, or are adding artifacts that are not in the recording. Some interpret this as added detail.
All a person needs to do is compare their fav LOMC cart in their fav arm to same recording on 15 ips half track tape, (a number of them are available), and you can hear all the artifacts added by the MC cart.
I am actually working on upgrading my phono stage!
Right now I have a Muffsy phono stage (op-amp based, passive RIAA) but will be building a Pass Pearl 2 with the ability to use MM or MC. Can't find a bad word about the Pearl 2!
So yes I am going to build a Pearl 2 then from then readdress if a high end MM cartridge should be next or something similar but in the MC vein.