Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC with Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge vs.Pro-Ject - Debut Carbon Esprit S

Also, what is a  mc cartridge?

TIA

Also, what is a mc cartridge?

LOL :)

Well, MC cartridge is Moving Coil Cartridge with very low signal output that your MM phono stage simply can’t handle, so you need a Step Up Transformer to use an MC cartridge (or an expensive phono stage with high gain).

MC cartridge is the one you can’t use after your diamond is worn, you will have to return your cartridge back to the factory via distributor to change the diamond or the whole cantilever, because it is fixed to the cartridge and not removable. This is very expensive option, very close to the cost of the whole new cartridge. And an MC owner must do that every 500 hrs (or every 1000 hrs, depends on the stylus life span).

Now taking in count all these ask yourself why do you need an MC cartridge on entry level turntables like yours ?

My advice is to forget about MC cartridge, forget about MC phono stage or Step Up transformer, also forget about re-tipping ...

.. and just keep using MM cartridge, they are all have removable stylus and you can simply buy new stylus when it’s time, you can change the stylus yourself in 10 seconds. There are many MM cartridges that so much better than Hanna MC and many others. Your MM cartridge is not the best, but you can easily find much better MM. Those cartridges can be used with any MM phono stages and does not require an expensive SUT or anything like that which is associated with MC only.

P.S. Return your belt drive turntable for full refund if you can and just buy yourself Technics SL1200GR Direct Drive turntable for $1700 (new with warranty) if you’re looking for serious upgrade. If you need a link it’s here.

Hey chackster!

Thanks for the advice! Unfortunately, the Technics TT is out of my price range.

Any idea which upgrades are avail for my Debut Carbon DC TT?

Is upgrading the platter worth it?  Which cartridges should I be looking into?

Also,  is the  Ground it E Equipment base something I should consider?

https://www.audioadvice.com/pro-ject-ground-it-e-turntable-base.html

Thanks again!

A please keep the recommendations coming!

And here's a link to the recommended platter.

https://www.audioadvice.com/pro-ject-acryl-it-platter-upgrade-black.html

Chakster,

May I ask, why do you recommend that table so strongly?  This is a serious question, not a challenge.