MM, MC, or MI cartridge


Can somebody briefly describe the difference in the sonic characteristics of these types of cartridge, if possible?

I’ve never had a MC and I’m wondering what difference it would make.

128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xrvpiano

Big Greg (and rv). Who was negative? The responses are of two types.(1) suggestions for altering the setup parameters, and (2) suggestions to allow time for further break-in, which makes a significant difference in my experience, particularly for MC cartridges that tend to be low compliance. My AT ART7 took at least 100 hours to stabilize, for example, and its compliance is actually higher than that of a typical MC.

Anyway, the OP has vowed to ignore his thread, so I expect he won’t be reading this.

Very curious about MI.

Next week will install my new Grado Epoch3. And uninstall my Lyra Atlas SL.

Will report my findings on my Triplanar SE arm and Woodsong Garrard 301.

@mglik I’ve heard the Epoch3 very nice a bit smooth sounding and more laid back and not a forceful cartridge which can be good or ok depending on your preferences.

@mglik The Grado Lineage Statement 3 is a little brother to the Epoch 3. It is very quiet as far as surface noise goes. It's a decent cartridge, but I can't say it is better than the Nagaoka MP-500, which has a very similar MI design, and one third the price. Neither comes close to the London Decca Jubilee on my other turntable, and presumably will be even less comparable to the London Decca Reference when it comes back from a re-tip.

I ended up buying a second SME 10 in order to compare these cartridges properly. I expect after some back and forth I will keep one dedicated to the London Reference (it has a Series V arm), and the other, which has an M10/309 arm and interchangeable headshells of which I have three, will house the MP-500, the Statement 3, and one of my old LOMC cartridges, likely a B-M Ruby 3.

I'll be very interested to hear what you make of the Epoch. Moving iron designs are fascinating, and it's sad that new London Deccas have stopped production as John Wright has run out of armatures and the company that made them has gone out of business. The Deccas are often difficult to suit to a tonearm, though the Jubilee and Reference are much easier to mount and enjoy than the older designs, and have a remarkable sound that leaves other designs struggling in their wake.