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High or Low output MC cartridge?

I've gotten some great information on the various shapes of styli (https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/stylus-shape) and their pros and cons. Now I wish to build upon that information. 

My current setup: Linn LP12 with a Rabco  SL-8E tonearm, Denon DL103R cartridge. I also use a CJ Premier 6 pre-preamp in front of an ARC SP11 Mk2. 

It's come to my attention that the Denon should really be living in a heavier mass tonearm to be getting the best of it. Along with lack of compliance and the stylus shape, it's likely not the best of candidates as far as a cartridge goes. It doesn't sound bad. I think it could sound better...

I'm interested in perhaps one of the highly thought of Hana E series MC cartridges which are at a similar price point. (Dratted budgetary concerns anyways!)  So now I'm curious about the pros and cons of high vs. low output MC cartridges. For comparison, the output specs are:

Hana EH is: 2mV/1kHz
Hana EL is:  0.5mv/1kHz
Denon is: 0.25mV/1kHz

I've tried the Denon directly into the SP11 but despite the prodigious gain available, the sound was quite "thin" even with both the gain and level turned up. With the CJ6 in the mix it's much fuller and of course, much louder. The options I'm considering are:

1) Hana EL and keep the CJ6 in the system
2) Hana EH and go directly into the SP11

I'd be interested to hear the pros and cons of High vs. Low output MC cartridges. 

Thank you in advance.


128x128musicfan2349
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Pros and cons are technical. Results are what you hear. Go by technical and its a crapshoot, so good luck. Go by how things sound and you will do just fine.

That said, its not like those technical factors are completely irrelevant. All cartridges are prone to matching problems with the phono stage. As you already noticed the lower the output the greater the problems.

The situation with styli is similar. The theoretically better tracking profiles generally only shine when perfectly dialed in. So again its not so much picking the best cartridge as matching the best to your arm and yourself. Is your arm even fully adjustable? How hard is it? Will you actually do it?

I’m bringing these things up because most everyone else will plunge right behind you down the rabbit hole. When maybe the best thing for you is just get a nice high output MM and enjoy great music without hardly any of the fuss or bother of a MC. For example watch, people will be recommending step-up transformers, more and more stuff, rather than just go with a cartridge that sounds great all by itself. If you like stuff and bother, great. If not now you know what to do.


lewm
13,169 posts
 
Nothing wrong with millercarbon's sentiments, but I agree with Chakster, and this is based solely on listening experiences, not on technical aspects:  HOMC cartridges just haven't perform in my various systems at the level of LOMC or the very best MM and MI types.  Again I emphasize that this is my opinion based on listening to a wide variety of cartridges over 45 years as a vinylphile.  That said, I am not also going to say that LOMC is categorically better than MM or MI.  I'd be hard pressed to choose among those technologies based only on listening pleasure.  LOMC does have a characteristic sound compared to MM and MI, but it isn't necessarily superior.
musicfan2349's avatar
musicfan2349 OP
239 posts
 
All, I see your points. I suppose my question might be better asked as:
"Given two MC cartridges of (seemingly) equivalent specs, which might perform better? The High or Low output cartridge?"

I'm getting the sense that Low is preferred. And as I have an appropriate headamp, that's not a problem. 

Once again, I thank you for your thoughts.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
"Given two MC cartridges of (seemingly) equivalent specs, which might perform better? The High or Low output cartridge?"

I'm getting the sense that Low is preferred. And as I have an appropriate headamp, that's not a problem.

Definitely! LOMC

lewm
13,169 posts
 
In case I wasn’t clear, although I thought I was, LOMC>> HOMC, my opinion.
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