find an old grace f9e or f9l - get a retip from peter at soundsmith
thank me later :)
thank me later :)
MM or HO MC Cartridge Choice-Input Please
Hello All. It’s time to (incrementally) update my phono chain to take advantage of the assumedly excellent phono stage in my Shindo Partager preamplifier. My table is a humble Rega 3 with the stock Elys2 MM cartridge. I am willing to invest $3K in upgrading the whole phono chain, and I would start off with the cartridge. I’ve gotten some suggestions in a prior thread, and am trying to choose between:
Dynavector 20X2 HO
Dynavector 10X5 HO
Clearaudio Virtuoso V2 Ebony
Hana SH (or EH or MH)
Benz ACE
I also thought about contacting Soundsmith and seeing what they would recommend. Finally, I should note I have a Quicksilver step-up transformer (SUT) and could always go to a LO MC cartridge. I’m just a bit worried that once I go to LO MC I might start second guessing the Quicksilver, feel that I need a better SUT, and then all my money goes into the cartridge and the SUT and I’ve got nothing leftover to upgrade the table. For that reason, does it make sense to stick with a MM cartridge? I would like to spend no more than $1000 on the cartridge.
Thanks in advance, Michael
Dynavector 20X2 HO
Dynavector 10X5 HO
Clearaudio Virtuoso V2 Ebony
Hana SH (or EH or MH)
Benz ACE
I also thought about contacting Soundsmith and seeing what they would recommend. Finally, I should note I have a Quicksilver step-up transformer (SUT) and could always go to a LO MC cartridge. I’m just a bit worried that once I go to LO MC I might start second guessing the Quicksilver, feel that I need a better SUT, and then all my money goes into the cartridge and the SUT and I’ve got nothing leftover to upgrade the table. For that reason, does it make sense to stick with a MM cartridge? I would like to spend no more than $1000 on the cartridge.
Thanks in advance, Michael
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- 23 posts total
They do not make personal recommendations for any cartridges as far as i know, because this is personal preferences and you may not like what was recommended (and it’s normal). Never buy a High Output MC cartridges if you want a Moving Coil, in this technology more coil winding will cause higher moving mass and such cartridge is always inferior to the LOMC (Low Output). The moving mass of MC cartridges are relatively high by default, buying a HOMC you just increase this problem. The reason for HOMC is a lack of phono stage with high gain (or SUT). Even if a HOMC cartridge sounds OK, a LOMC will be better with proper MC preamp. And MI or MM can be much better than all those MC cartridges. For your turntable you’d better look for inexpensive MM or MI cartridges in $600-1000 range from the past, many of them are much better than everything in your list above. You can spend more on MC + SUT but the result of all the investment will not be any better than a proper MM or MI cartridge. |
I know you are asking about carts...but it might be helpful to know about your shortlist of TT upgrade ideas...cart /tonearm synergy etc. walgreenslistens |
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- 23 posts total