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MM Cartridge Recommendation

Hello Everyone, 
Over the past year I've been slowly building up my first system and have just recently upgraded my turntable to a Clearaudio Concept w/ Satisfy Carbon arm.  

My current total system is as follows:
- Belles Aria [Integrated w/ MM phono] 
- B&W 705 [original series from 2004 stand mounts w/ matching stands]
- Clearaudio Concept w/ Satisfy Carbon tonearm 
- Ortofon 2M Black MM cartridge 

Overall I've been very happy with my system especially working within a reasonable budget.  
The Clearaudio has also been a great upgrade from my original entry level [U-Turn Orbit] turntable. 
I bought it used with the 2M Black already mounted, and it is very smooth/neutral sounding with a lot of detail. 
However, at times I find it almost too neutral.

Would anyone have recommendations on another MM cartridge to pair with my existing system?
I'm still trying to determine if I may like another sound better [perhaps more warmth or even just comparison for a different sound] as I explore and still learn what sounds I like. 

I know many people prefer MC, however at this time I do not want to add a MC phono preamp to my system.   
I'd consider HOMC [ie Hana cartridge] but I'm not sure if they would work within my exiting Belles Aria MM system?

My budget is ~$800. 
My preference is to buy new however would consider an easily accessible used [I just don't want to have to search for some obscure hard to find cartridge].  

Also please keep in mind that I am still new to this hobby so am by no means an expert in cartridge setup & alignment. 

Any advice or feedback is really appreciated! 

Thanks! 

 

dsjs4
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
If you need a cartridge with fixed stylus/cantilever that you can’t replaceable yourself then buy a Low Output MC cartridge. Any MC cartridge can be refurbished or replaced by the manufacturer or some re-tipper. This is time consuming, often very expensive and inconvenient. 


The benefit of MM and MI is user friendly stylus replacement that can be purchased anytime without sending your cartridge anywhere. Normally we have spare styli for our MM or MI carts and trust me (I have many LOMC too) that life is much easier with MM/MI and sound quality of the best MM/MI is outstanding. I could easily live with MM (without any MC), but I want to have all types of cartridges (including Moving Flux). 



chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
One of the best cartridges in the past were the B&O MMC 1/2 great MI performers that had fixed stylus design, was not at random designers decision.


When I asked Peter Ledermann (SoundSmith, who designed and manufactured B&O cartridges) in this topic: “what is a well designed MM/MI or MC from the past (not new)” ?

He replied under nickname retipper:


“Obviously Strain Gauge designs, although none have survived well, which is why I don’t work on them. Early Fairchild Stereo units. Some still are fantastic. Stax, for its cleverness, Dynavector 23 and similar, due to low mass (but terribly fragile), some Ortofon MI designs, GRACE, and of course the B&O, upon which my line has evolved from.”

I’m glad to see vintage GRACE in his answer, and of course his own cartridges now are better than B&O from the past. Most of them are fixed-coil type, but his price for stylus/cantilever replacement for his own carts is the lowest on the market (this is huge benefit compared to other manufacturers, the reason is simple - SoundSmith do not make a profit on stylus/cantilever replacement for his own SoundSmith cartridges, this is why the cost is user friendly).




vinylvalet
895 posts
 
A big advantage with SoundSmith other than excellent sound quality for the money is that the rebuild cost is only 20% of retail. I know of no other cartridge manufacturer that comes anywhere close.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Other manufacturers have been selling replacement styli since it was invented by Walter Stanton for Pickering cartridges more than 50 years ago. It was innovative design that made MM cartridges more convenient than MC.

*Walter O. Stanton was Norman C. Pickering’s plant manager. Mr. Stanton invented the interchangeable needle grips Pickering used and later purchased Pickering & Company. A sister brand to Stanton.


It’s interesting that Stanton and Pickering made low output / low impedance MM cartridges too, those low impedance versions designed for MC phono input (sut or headamp), but still with interchangeable needle grips (user replaceable styli). 
big_greg
6,623 posts
 
The Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood is closer to your budget and a very nice cartridge and will work well with your table.  And yes, it is easy to snap off the cantilever, so be careful.  I like the sound of the Virtuoso better than the MP-500, which I also have and it should be a better match with your table.
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