Age old discussion I know but MM or MC? Benefits?

I'm firmly in the moving iron court. The SoundSmith Carts are setup dependent because he uses the CL stylus, specially cut. It is sensitive, but so is a Shibata tip. If it's not elliptical or conical it will need very precise azimuth, SRA and skate control.

I have had exclusively MM carts for the past 40 years until I got the SoundSmith Voice. It's a high output MI, but if you want low output he has them too. I believe as you get fast you must sacrifice output. Those high end, low output carts at SoundSmith are very fast and great for classical and opera, hence the names of the carts. For rock and jazz the Sussaro would be quite adequate

You really have to listen to them to make a determination.

MI all the way ! People named Leonard are almost always right !

Leonard the Cooper, funny kind of name : )... but he´s simply right.
Welcome to A´gon

The essence of a HQ cartridge: low moving mass of stylus/cantilever ass´y. I have known it for thirty years already.

Best regards,

Well, i have Joseph Grado Signature XTZ (MI) cartridge, but i can’t say that MM cartridges like the Grace Level II (or F-14 LC-OFC), AT-ML180 OCC, Pioneer PC-1000mk2, Stanton CS100 WOS are on the lower level, they are even better than MI. Life is not so simple!

Don’t forget the superb Moving Flux cartridges like the Glanz MF61

Chakster, you got it all wrong. I never said the MM´s you just mentioned are inferior to MI´s mentioned by Leonard. On the contrary, they are as good some even better. This all comes down to TA´s and decks used, really. Audio life is hardly ever simple but audiophiles are using different equipment to evaluate quality/quantity differences in their carts, TA´s, preamps etc. The quality of one´s preamp and deck in particular is essential, not to mention a TA he´s using for a certain cart in question.
You are both right, in fact. Leonard´s experience tells an other side of the truth we are seeking for here.

And yes, the GLANZ MFG 610LX is a superb performer, in my system.