MC Cartridge: Elliptical; around 0.5mv; track 1.25-1.75; Affordable


MC Cartridge: Elliptical; around 0.5mv; track 1.25-1.75; Affordable

Sadly, MC world, advance stylus shapes are very pricey. 
Many affordable MC have conical tips, and heavy tracking, so I think elliptical may be best
Cambridge Duo wants input 0.3mv to 1.0mv max, so I am using around 0.5mv as a goal

anybody have good or bad to say about this one?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AUDIO-TECHNICA-SIGNET-MK66E-MC-MOVING-COIL-CARTRIDGE-MKN66E-MC-STYLUS-CASE/164256063552  

suggestions?

thanks, Elliott


elliottbnewcombjr
I certainly don't doubt the ears of you guys who say you have zeroed in on THE correct load for your MC cartridge.  I have universally found that there IS a load resistance that begins to degrade the sound of an MC, usually one that is significantly less than 10X the internal resistance of the cartridge.  Above that too-low value and at 10X or higher, I hear very little difference in relation to load impedance presented by the phono stage, but if there is a difference, I tend to prefer 47K, in fact.  (I don't use 47K with every MC, just occasionally, for the very reason that I don't hear much difference once I get above 1000R.) This is using at one time or another my Atma-sphere MP1 (tubes), the J&R Phonolinepreamp (SS), or the Manley Steelhead (hybrid) with such cartridges as Koetsu Urushi, AT ART7, Dynavector 17D3, ZYX UNIverse low output version, and Ortofon MC2000 or MC7500.
Oh boy, what a bottomless pit, my arse hurts!

resolved:

better double budget to $800.
tip to be advanced groove contact: LC, MR, SAS, Shibata
aluminum ok, boron preferred, I avoid more brittle than that.
mc boost to have adjustable loading
tracking force, still like closer to 1.5g, hard to get with MC I see now.

When I make a lot of effort, all this reading, jumping hither and thither, I want to GET something for my effort. I am doing my best to resist 'ADD TO CART'.

I gotta wait till Bill brings two of his MC to listen to here, then IN or OUT?

meanwhile,

MI Moving Iron, the story makes sooo much sense, yet the resultant specs don't seem to indicate achievement of superior channel separation/balance ..., and the prices, forget Soundsmith.
Perhaps Goldring, there is a UK supplier with a new 2400 for $500. Monster 6.5mv output, no mc boost needed.  

HOMC, today's research, better get a pillow to sit on.
OP
What you have to factor in with Soundsmith prices are there rebuild prices which are typically about 20% of purchase price to have like new cartridge returned to you if you wear it out, break it etc.
uber

yes, I read about that nice Soundsmith advantage, but 1st LC tip is Zephyr MKIII, $1,500. rebuild only $300. in future,