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Sony PS-X50 - MC cartridge advice please (and general MC cartridge advice)

I have a Sony PS-X50 turntable. I have the itch to try a MC cartridge due to much talk about MC being superior to MM cartridges. Unfortunately, I know very little about matching/pairing a cartridge to a turntable.

Found Sony PS-X50 spec's on "turntable needles.com" 

I may be able to get a used (under 50 hours) "Audio-Technica AT-OC9XML Dual Moving Coil Cartridge with Microlinear Stylus". Would this be a decent upgrade from my "ADC - QLM 36 mkIII" MM cartridge.

My Parasound New Classic200 pre does have a MM or MC phono stage option.

Thanks greatly in advance for any advice.

Audio-Technica AT-OC9XML specs (found on "turntable needles.com")

Type Dual Moving Coil
Body Material Aluminum
Frequency Response 20-47,000 Hz
Channel Separation 27 dB (1 kHz)
Vertical Tracking Angle 20°
Vertical Tracking Force 1.8-2.2 g (2.0 g standard)
Recommended Load Impedance Min. 100 ohms (when head amplifier is connected)
Coil Impedance 12 ohms (1 kHz)
DC Resistance 12 ohms
Coil Inductance 25 mH (1 kHz)
Output 0.4 mV (at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec)
Channel Balance 1.0 dB (1 kHz)
Stylus Shape Microlinear
Stylus Type Nude square shank
Stylus Curvature Radius 2.2 x 0.12 mil
Cantilever 0.28 mm diameter nude boron
Static Compliance 20 x 10-6 cm/dyne
Dynamic Compliance 16 x 10-6 cm/dyne (100 Hz)
Wire Used for Coil PCOCC
Terminal Pins Brass
Mount Half-inch
Weight 7.6 g (0.3 oz)
Dimensions 17.3 mm (0.68") H × 16.8 mm (0.66") W × 25.7 mm (1.01") D
Accessories Included Non-magnetic screwdriver; 2 washers; cartridge installation screws (5 mm × 2, 8 mm × 2, 10 mm x 2, 12 mm x 2); plastic protector; brush

 

128x128tunehead
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

I have been using MCs since 1978 when I bought a GAS Sleeping Beauty along with a Verion (Cotter) step-up transformer (SUT). TT was the Ariston RD11S - the Linn Sondek's Scottish cousin - arms were the SME 3009, JH Formula 4, Lustre GST-1. That Ariston is still in use - now with a Grace 707 and a Denon 103.

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

The Ariston/Lustre/Fidelity Research FR1mk3F sounded particularly fine!

nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 

The celebrated Sony XL series from XL 44 l till XL 88 D has the same

generator but different cantilevers and styli. I would recommend XL 44 l.

The best price-quality relationship knowing to me. Good samples for

about $400. 

tunehead's avatar
tunehead OP
171 posts
 

Thank you so much @jasonbourne52  for  your teaching's and time taken. 👍

I'll also look into the Sony XL series @nandric .

Another question if I might. My readings is that MC styli will wear out faster than an MC styli. In your experience's, would that be correct or just scare mongering tactics.

lewm
13,287 posts
 

Take Jason’s opinion of MM cartridges and the reasoning associated with his opinion with a wheelbarrow full of salt. There are many MM cartridges that outperform many MC cartridges, although he hasn’t named the best ones. And Grado are not the only or the best examples of MI types.

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