2. analog
  3. 174956-118236

Advice needed on MC cartridges

I’ve an Ortofon Black 2M cartridge on my VPI Classic 2 turntable, It’s a moving magnet type cartridge with a Shibata stylus and cost about $700 when purchased. I could easily be wrong, but am under the impression that the Ortofon 2M Black is about as good as it gets with MM cartridges and if I wished to upgrade I’d need to be thinking about moving into a MC, moving coil, type.

So I’ve been trying to learn something about moving coil cartridges and what differences or improvements in sound quality might be obtained by using one. My integrated amp, a Luxman 507uX Mk2, has a built in phono stage and can play either type,

Generally speaking, how much more would need to be spent on a MC cartridge before a noticeable, or significant improvement, might be heard in sound quality over the Ortofon 2M’s performance? What improvements in performance might you obtain using one a better quality MC over the Ortofon 2M Black? And third, what MC cartridges might you recommend that would fit in performance and budget wise with a system composed of the above equipment plus Magico A3 speakers. My other equipment is a Marantz Ruby CD/SACD player and a Shunyata Denali Hydra power conditioner.

I’ve never heard a MC cartridge in use so would be interested in following your advice and recommendations to see if I can find a dealer or someone that might be able to demo one so I can hear what the differences might be in performance. Thank you for any responses or suggestions

Mike

skyscraper
harrylavo's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
harrylavo
345 posts
 

Until recently I might have agreed with the conventional wisdom.  I have used an Accuphase AC2 MC cartridge into a Counterpoint SA-2 Headamp into an ARC SP-6 preamp for years, because it sounded about as good as you can get.  But recently in my second system I installed my old ADC XLM with a new ZLM original manufacture's Shibata cartridge feeding the phono preamp stage of an Accuphase BT-2 preamp (which equals the SP-6 phono stage) and get equal/better sound.  Since you already have the Shibata stylus'ed cartridge, try carefully and painstakingly adjusting the Vertical Tracking Angle of the cartridge.  Very small differences change the sound a lot.  Get it right and then judge your satisfaction.  If it sounds very good and "right" to you, then stay with it.

skyscraper OP
829 posts
 

Erichsch- this is getting increasingly confusing. If the loading impedance for the Soundsmith Paua MI cartridge is 470 ohms, is that different from the listed 47 k input resistance listed in the Luxman 507uX Mkii specs? The electronics terminology may be lost on me. When I saw the 47 in both I thought it must be the same figure. Maybe not. Somebody please steer me straight. Thanks,

Mike

skyscraper OP
829 posts
 

I emailed Soundsmith to get an answer on the compatability of the Paua mk II MI cartridge and the Luxman integrated’s phonostage. I’ll post the answer from them for anyone interested.

Mike

426hemicuda
1 posts
 

For a number of years I sold wood bodies for the Denon DL-103 and 103r cartridge, on Ebay. For a couple of years I used a Ortofon 85th Anniversary SPU moving coil cartridge. If you can even find one, a lovely sounding cartridge, but pricey. Ranging anywhere from $2,500-$3,500. I have had a number of Soundsmith Ruby Cantilever / Optimized Contour Nude Contact Line Diamond Denon 103r cartridge's, and when I purchased a Pete Riggle "Woody" tonearm, he suggested I just try the factory Denon 103 on his arm, with no modifications.  I nuded a new Denon 103, inserted it into one of my Panzer wood bodies, potted with beeswax and what I heard made my jaw drop. I ultimately sold both of my Ortofon cartridges and never looked back. So, do yourself a favor, purchase a Denon 103, nude the cartridge (very easily done) insert it in a nicely made wood body,  pot it (not mandatory) and give that a try before spending a sizable amount on one of those boutique type cartridges. If you properly setup your tonearm, I am confident you will be quite please with what will amount to a $400-$450 cartridge, and I can assure you, it will stand up to virtually any cartridge several times or more the cost you will have invested in the Denon in wood.

dover
2,243 posts
 

@skyscraper 

Sorry - I have listened to the Paua extensively - it requires a load of around 470ohms to 1k. Optimum is around 800-1000ohms - therefore it will not match the Luxman. It needs the gain of a moving coil phono, but your phono loading is limited to 100ohms on the MC input - too low for the Paua.

The high output Soundsmith range - Voice/Aida/Zephyr mkIII. are designed for MM input at 47k and may suit. The output is low at 2.12mv, but your MM phono inputs specs out at 2.5mv - you might have to turn the volume up a little.

The van den hul Frog/MC One Special require minimum load of 200 ohms - again will not suit the phono in your Luxman.

However the Van Den Hul MC Two is a high output version that will run into your ?MM input - it has 2.25mv output recommended load 47k

If you are looking at moving coils - the following have recommended loads of a minimum 100ohms

Audio Technica ART9 series

Dynavector

Koetsu

Ortofon Cadenza series

Check out Air Tight PC7 - in you price range and very good match - they make the Luxman MC cartridge.

Coming back to the Paua - it is an outstanding cartridge - if you purchased the matching Soundsmith MCP2 phono you would be very happy. I have compared the SS MCP2 phono to the Lamm LP, Linn Uphorik and other more expensive phonos with the Paua and the MCP2 holds its own. From what I can see from owners who have compared the phono stages in the Luxman integrated amps to separate modest priced phonos the Luxman phono is average.

 

More to discover