2. analog
  3. 127315-538

Cartridge recommendations for second system turntable please

So I have been thinking of assembling my old gear, which I have never sold, into a second system. The turntable would be a Music Hall MMF-7. I need a new cartridge for it, as the original Goldring Eroica that came with it is very old and has a bent cantilever. The rest of the system would be: Project Speedbox, MF KW500 integrated amp, MF Tri-vista DAC, MF A3.2 CDP, Transparent Powerbank 8, all Transparent cabling, Carver Amazing Loudspeakers. I listen to a lot of jazz, as well as rock, vocals, "world music," classical, pop. Thanks in advance for the cartridge recommendations. Would especially love to hear actual user experiences.
arsh
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,195 posts
 
The arm on the MMF is not the greatest apparently. The Shure is a great tracker which will help. It is also MM which will work with your integrated amp.
arsh OP
367 posts
 
Thanks guys. How good of a cartridge does it make sense to put on this table? My other table is a heavily modified VPI Scoutmaster with custom tonearms and Transfiguration Proteus, Soundsmith Paua, and SS Zephyr Mk II carts.
arsh OP
367 posts
 
 I could also get an outboard phono stage for the second system.
tketcham
291 posts
 

Hi, arsh,

I have a Music Hall mmf-7 and in addition to the Goldring Eroica H that came with the turntable, I have enjoyed using a Goldring 1012GX, a Dynavector DV-20XL, and an Audio-Technica AT-33PTG, which is currently on the tonearm. Each of them has worked well on the ’arm and sounded very nice. The tonearm on the mmf-7.1 is a decent ’arm (Pro-Ject 9c) and is more than capable of bringing out fine performances from these cartridges.

I also have a Michell Engineering Gyro SE with a SME 309 tonearm and have used the DV-20XL and AT-33PTG on the ’table. In comparison to the mmf-7 the sound is more revealing and dynamic with a more quiet background but the Pro-Ject 9 tonearm holds it’s own.

I’m currently using an Audio-Technica ART9 (on the SME 309), which replaced an aging Dynavector Karat 17D3. After a hundred hours or so I can say that I prefer the ART9 because if its better tonal balance (less emphasis on the lower frequencies), improved bass control, and a more natural sounding mid-range and uppermost frequencies (cymbal crashes for example). Plus, it does a better job of tracking difficult high-energy passages. I think the AT9 would sound very good on your Pro-Ject 9c tonearm if you decide to spend more money on the cartridge.

Regards,

Tom

PS: I’m using a MF A3.5 integrated and Rogue Audio Stealth phono stage with the mmf-7 so other than the speakers, the electronics are similar. The speakers, on the other hand, are quite different. I’ve wanted to hear a pair of those Carver speakers.

arsh OP
367 posts
 
 Thanks Tom. That is very interesting information. I really appreciate it. My turntable is the MMF7 not the 7.1. Is the tonearm the same?  I have read with interest the information on this forum about the audio Teknika art 9 cartridge. I would be very interested in trying it on the music hall turntable if it is a good match. 
More to discover