2. analog
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Requirements for Moving Coil setup

I have a Bryston 2B-MC preamp (the MC being the Moving Coil designation). I currently have two turntables, each with Grado MM cartridges. I would like to use the MM cartridge (Grado Blue) on my BIC 960 as a 'preview' turntable for 2nd hand vinyl recordings. The JVC QL-A2 would then be connected to the MC input for new vinyl or pieces that have been played and are relatively clean, surface wise. What would I need in order to connect a MC to my Bryston and take full advantage of this preamps analog capabilities?
Thank you
128x128jcipale
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
You need a phono preamp with MC capability whose inputs you can plug your turntable/cartridge into and then that same phono preamp's outputs into a line-in input on your Bryston 2B preamp.
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,764 posts
 
Grado > new MM phono amp > Bryston 2B-MC preamp line input.

New MC > Bryston 2B-MC phono input (set rear switch to MC mode).
sleepwalker65's avatar
sleepwalker65
832 posts
 
Most moving coil cartridges are low compliance, and are meant to be used on a low compliance tonearm. I doubt the JVC would be equipped with a low compliance tonearm. A more suitable MM cartridge for the JVC (if it’s a direct drive) would be a shielded body cartridge like those from Audio-Technica and Ortofon. My experience with the Audio-Technica VM540ML (line Contact stylus) is very good on Technics turntables that have mid-high compliance tonearms. Not sure about the BIC, but if it has a low compliance arm, it would probably be more suitable for a MC cartridge. Keep in mind that you will need to spend at least double what you’d pay for a good MM cartridge just to have sound quality on par, then you must also factor in a new MM phono stage for the remaining MM.  
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