Dear Twl: It is nice to read that like you there are several people that are testing/trying/running the MM/MI alternative .
I owned the MMII and heard the III and I find what you posted:
+++++ " This Music Maker II cartridge gives people a better option of having sound quality similar to the better high-output MC cartridges..."+++++
and that's why I sold it, its sound is nearest to the MC than to a fine top MM/MI cartridge.
Nothing wrong with the MC ( low or high output ) sound but the MM/MI " signature " sound IMHO is near the live music experience, more real, neutral, transparent, less distortion and more emotional.
Certainly in your opinion the MMII can't even your 501 but this fact does not means that other more " humble " ( very low price ) MM/MI can't do it because in fact they do/did it.
IMHO the MMII/III as good it is I think that is not the best example of the MM/MI alternative, this alternative is way better than that aand this opinion is not only my single " word " but several ones that you can read on the MM thread with owners of top ( not high output MCs. ) LOMC like the Ortofon Windfeld or Allaerts Finish Gold or ZYX Universe.
Through the last months I learn that if any one want to be and " feel " the live experience ( nearer ) in our home systems the MM/MI alternative is something to hear ( of course we have to know which cartridges has that " magic " at the top. ).
Your statement ( that I respect ): +++++ " Detail is not as fine or deep as the best MC cartridges, but quite good for MM. " +++++
is something that has " cure " with MM/MI cartridges through changes on load impedance ( just like in a LOMCs. ).
I can add that that " quite good for MM " is a little lightly comment because IMHO ( too ) the MM/MI alternative is really a lot better of what you already experienced on the MMII, I think that the MM/MI cartridges has nothing to envy from the MC ones ( just an opinion. )
Anyway, your experience is very enlighted and promote an " open mind " aspect taht we have to cultivate on almost any audio subject.
The MM/MI alternative was ( till few months ago ) an almost " lost audio link " for no know reasons but everyone ( like you ) that is trying now are discovering this very well " keep secret ".
Like Alunstylus say: interesting thread.
Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
I owned the MMII and heard the III and I find what you posted:
+++++ " This Music Maker II cartridge gives people a better option of having sound quality similar to the better high-output MC cartridges..."+++++
and that's why I sold it, its sound is nearest to the MC than to a fine top MM/MI cartridge.
Nothing wrong with the MC ( low or high output ) sound but the MM/MI " signature " sound IMHO is near the live music experience, more real, neutral, transparent, less distortion and more emotional.
Certainly in your opinion the MMII can't even your 501 but this fact does not means that other more " humble " ( very low price ) MM/MI can't do it because in fact they do/did it.
IMHO the MMII/III as good it is I think that is not the best example of the MM/MI alternative, this alternative is way better than that aand this opinion is not only my single " word " but several ones that you can read on the MM thread with owners of top ( not high output MCs. ) LOMC like the Ortofon Windfeld or Allaerts Finish Gold or ZYX Universe.
Through the last months I learn that if any one want to be and " feel " the live experience ( nearer ) in our home systems the MM/MI alternative is something to hear ( of course we have to know which cartridges has that " magic " at the top. ).
Your statement ( that I respect ): +++++ " Detail is not as fine or deep as the best MC cartridges, but quite good for MM. " +++++
is something that has " cure " with MM/MI cartridges through changes on load impedance ( just like in a LOMCs. ).
I can add that that " quite good for MM " is a little lightly comment because IMHO ( too ) the MM/MI alternative is really a lot better of what you already experienced on the MMII, I think that the MM/MI cartridges has nothing to envy from the MC ones ( just an opinion. )
Anyway, your experience is very enlighted and promote an " open mind " aspect taht we have to cultivate on almost any audio subject.
The MM/MI alternative was ( till few months ago ) an almost " lost audio link " for no know reasons but everyone ( like you ) that is trying now are discovering this very well " keep secret ".
Like Alunstylus say: interesting thread.
Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.