Debate about MM vs. MC is pointless, just like those Digital vs Analog pointless threads on audiogon.
When you asking an MC aficionado about MM cartridges it's like asking Digital aficionado about Analog (waste of time).
It's better to have an MM and MC and compare in your own system.
I have both types of cartridges, also some exotic ones (cantilever-less design from Ikeda, Direct Couple design from Victor ... ).
Moving Magnet or Moving Iron cartridge can be as good or better than some of the best MC, it depends on a cartridge, not on a type of cartridge. What is important in this search is to ignore mainstream, and then it will help to find something very special that people are not talking about on mainstream hi-end media. Here is an example of two MM and one MC, even the cheapest of those 3 is absolutely amazing and it's an MM design from Pioneer for their Exclusive series.
I like LOMC cartridges from my collection, but I also enjoy an MM and MI and practically they are definitely better, replacement stylus is a huge benefit, look at this original Grace Ruby LEVEL II The sound of the best MM is addictive.
Inexpensive SONY MM comes with exotic and very expensive cantilever.
I'm just trying to say there are so many amazing MM cartridges (and MC too) out the numbers of mainstream models offering today.
If we don't know the classics how can we judge new products?
The roots of high-fidelity in analog is somewhere in the 70's and it was a Moving Magnet era, high compliance carts and lightweight tonearms. With the right cart on the right tonearm you will be blown away by the quality of MM for sure (even if you like an MC like myself).
When you asking an MC aficionado about MM cartridges it's like asking Digital aficionado about Analog (waste of time).
It's better to have an MM and MC and compare in your own system.
I have both types of cartridges, also some exotic ones (cantilever-less design from Ikeda, Direct Couple design from Victor ... ).
Moving Magnet or Moving Iron cartridge can be as good or better than some of the best MC, it depends on a cartridge, not on a type of cartridge. What is important in this search is to ignore mainstream, and then it will help to find something very special that people are not talking about on mainstream hi-end media. Here is an example of two MM and one MC, even the cheapest of those 3 is absolutely amazing and it's an MM design from Pioneer for their Exclusive series.
I like LOMC cartridges from my collection, but I also enjoy an MM and MI and practically they are definitely better, replacement stylus is a huge benefit, look at this original Grace Ruby LEVEL II The sound of the best MM is addictive.
Inexpensive SONY MM comes with exotic and very expensive cantilever.
I'm just trying to say there are so many amazing MM cartridges (and MC too) out the numbers of mainstream models offering today.
If we don't know the classics how can we judge new products?
The roots of high-fidelity in analog is somewhere in the 70's and it was a Moving Magnet era, high compliance carts and lightweight tonearms. With the right cart on the right tonearm you will be blown away by the quality of MM for sure (even if you like an MC like myself).