I have a serious interest in mono records, both vinyl and 78s and have been checking out the market for the past few years trying to decide what to invest in.
There seems to be a strong consensus that Miyajima mono cartridges lead the pack but I felt a bit hesitant as I am using a Technics 1200 turntable with a medium mass arm. Dealers I consulted assured me that it would work great but, as it is a serious investment, I was hesitant to take the chance. In the end, I bought a used Miyajima Premium Mono to test the waters. It was, indeed, as wonderful as the reviews said but I didn’t feel that I was getting everything I should out of it as it didn’t feel like a good match for my arm.
In this case, I am using the word "feel" literally. Resting my finger lightly on the head shell or tonearm I could feel strong vibrations, especially on the lower range of the music. None of my other (many) cartridges do this. That it still sounds good as it does may be due to my installing a KAB damper on my table.Anyway, I got a chance to buy a Phasemation a good price. I was a little reluctant as the specs (8×10-6cm/dyne, Japanese standard) are exactly the same as the Miyajima. What gave me hope is that this is the same brand that Technics Japan uses when they demonstrate their own turntables. Phasemation also claimed that somehow their cartridges would work with the vast majority of arms on the market.
There was no vibration with the Phasemation and it sounds really good. It has a different sound quality than the Miyajima, a bit less romantic and rich but, to my ears, more "real" and no less engaging. I have come to feel that Miyajima is more of a "fun" cartridge but the Phasemation more "serious" but not in an overly analytical way.
Bit of a mystery to me as to why two cartridges with the same specs react so differently to my arm but my guess is the difference between a wood and metal body.
