I should be clear I have a fondness for silly low output MC cartridges, my latest being 0.07mV. But part of this is the fun of having something that needs a super low noise phono stage to work. But I also have a number of weird and wonderful MMs. I mean a hand wound MM, who wouldn't want one 🙂.
Right now I'm running an AT150 body with AT140ML stylus, with only the cable as capacitive load (well 4pF for phono stage) and it's glorious. I don't miss my MCs playing that and I have a couple of higher end stylii to fit on it.
Right now I'm running an AT150 body with AT140ML stylus, with only the cable as capacitive load (well 4pF for phono stage) and it's glorious. I don't miss my MCs playing that and I have a couple of higher end stylii to fit on it.
I personally like the Sumiko cartridges, amongst others, and the LOMC Songbird is a steal at $900. Of course if you want to try something totally different you can try the LOMC Miyajima Takumi which is their entry level one, though a tad pricey. The Hana SL cartridge also has an excellent reputation.
How is $900 a 'steal'? Esp as it's the same generator that the GAS black beauty used back in the last century?
Good choice ! 😀 , I recommend you pair that capsule with
Music Fidelity V90-LPS ...........
GAS made the Sleeping Beauty (1978)
van den Hul made the Black Beauty (1999 / 2000)
Just because Sumiko followed a similar design principle, does not mean it needs to be disparaged. It is a highly respected cartridge.
van den Hul made the Black Beauty (1999 / 2000)
Just because Sumiko followed a similar design principle, does not mean it needs to be disparaged. It is a highly respected cartridge.
It's a 50 year old design where they keep cranking the handle and upping the price. No innovation, no development, so why buy new? Not my scene.
I did pick up a Coral for a rebuild (same generator from same factory) but gave to a friend who seems very happy with it. I am contrary and just wouldn't pay $900 for that when I could get better for less.
I did pick up a Coral for a rebuild (same generator from same factory) but gave to a friend who seems very happy with it. I am contrary and just wouldn't pay $900 for that when I could get better for less.
I have few Audiotechnica AT OC9, there are various versions, all sound great to me. Slightly lifted highs, so I load it with low resistance. Clean and accurate.
I'm not going to recommend a MC for your usage.
The MC as a Design is quite capable of Delivering a broad range of performances, that range from being Lean and Very Defined with a Noticeable Separation between Performers in a Soundstage,
through to a Delivery that can be overwhelmingly Rich and Weighty, where Performers are perceived as being Concentrated within the Soundstage.
A good place to get a feel for the differences in how a Cartridge can deliver a performance it to visit the VAS NY Inc Youtube Pages where there are plenty
of Needle Drops to be auditioned, where the HiFi System used remains consistent, throughout the Needle Drops.
There is enough going on to grasp a Flavour from a Particular MC being demonstrated.
The MC as a Design is quite capable of Delivering a broad range of performances, that range from being Lean and Very Defined with a Noticeable Separation between Performers in a Soundstage,
through to a Delivery that can be overwhelmingly Rich and Weighty, where Performers are perceived as being Concentrated within the Soundstage.
A good place to get a feel for the differences in how a Cartridge can deliver a performance it to visit the VAS NY Inc Youtube Pages where there are plenty
of Needle Drops to be auditioned, where the HiFi System used remains consistent, throughout the Needle Drops.
There is enough going on to grasp a Flavour from a Particular MC being demonstrated.
