Hi Crazy Bill,
FWIW....my two cents on your specific questions......
I haven't heard the AT150MLX but I have the AT-150ANV (which incidentally beat the Atlas and 6 other cartridges in a Fremer readers' shoot-out) 😎
I've heard only hesitation from those who do own the 150MLX and in the absence of enthusiasm....there must be doubt?
Even my new 150ANV, whilst good.....does not have the 'magic' or emotion of the really good vintage MMs I love.
Many make the mistake of thinking that a move to a high-cost LOMC cartridge will change their listening experiences....
This is rarely the case and I have met no audiophile who can tell the difference between a MM and a MC under a controlled 'blind' test.
Most of my favourite cartridges are MM (all vintage) but there are some LOMCs (mostly vintage) which I also highly value.
I have a Denon 103R (with selected equal-channel output) and whilst it is great value for its modest price.....it is easily bested by the modified Shure V15/III.
I have both Fidelity Research MM cartridges and LOMC.
The FR-6SE is better than the FR-5 or 5E IMO (although Jonathan Carr likes the 5E).
I have an original FR-7f which did not impress me greatly with its new conical stylus.
When Axel replaced it with a line-contact stylus however....it transformed it and is now one of my favourite cartridges 😘
If you are hell-bent on a MC cartridge.....why not buy an SPU Silver Meister directly from Ortofon ?
With your FR-66S tonearm......this is a combination that is sure to put a smile on your face 😍
Regards
FWIW....my two cents on your specific questions......
I haven't heard the AT150MLX but I have the AT-150ANV (which incidentally beat the Atlas and 6 other cartridges in a Fremer readers' shoot-out) 😎
I've heard only hesitation from those who do own the 150MLX and in the absence of enthusiasm....there must be doubt?
Even my new 150ANV, whilst good.....does not have the 'magic' or emotion of the really good vintage MMs I love.
Many make the mistake of thinking that a move to a high-cost LOMC cartridge will change their listening experiences....
This is rarely the case and I have met no audiophile who can tell the difference between a MM and a MC under a controlled 'blind' test.
Most of my favourite cartridges are MM (all vintage) but there are some LOMCs (mostly vintage) which I also highly value.
I have a Denon 103R (with selected equal-channel output) and whilst it is great value for its modest price.....it is easily bested by the modified Shure V15/III.
I have both Fidelity Research MM cartridges and LOMC.
The FR-6SE is better than the FR-5 or 5E IMO (although Jonathan Carr likes the 5E).
I have an original FR-7f which did not impress me greatly with its new conical stylus.
When Axel replaced it with a line-contact stylus however....it transformed it and is now one of my favourite cartridges 😘
If you are hell-bent on a MC cartridge.....why not buy an SPU Silver Meister directly from Ortofon ?
With your FR-66S tonearm......this is a combination that is sure to put a smile on your face 😍
Regards