2. analog
  3. 185767-172320

MM Cartridge to MC Cartridge

Hi All. First post. I’m thinking about moving from a MM cartridge to an MC cartridge. I hesitate a bit, because about a year ago I moved from an inexpensive MM cartridge to an expensive MM cartridge and noticed little difference. My vinyl system consists of:

Rega Planar P3 with Rega Exact Mk 2 cartridge 

McIntosh MP100 phono preamp

McIntosh MA252 integrated amp

Budget is less than $1k. Thinking Rega Ania MC cartridge because reviews are positive and install easy.

Do you think this change will be worthwhile? Suggestions?

-Doug

prufrock28
jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,205 posts
 

@williewonka : you are right about matching the cartridge compliance with the arm mass. Low compliance needs a heavier arm. High compliance needs a lighter arm. This relates to the resonance frequency of the arm/cartridge combination - ideally below 10 hz..

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,205 posts
 

@mijostyn : I disagree that one must spend thousands for a good sounding mc cartridge! The venerable DL103 wouldn't have held its esteemed status among audiophiles if it didn't sound good! Of course the higher-priced Denon MC's offer a more refined sound! 

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,205 posts
 

The OP can consider the Grado moving-iron cartridges. The new Prestige series starting at $79 and up is worth checking out!

williewonka
3,081 posts
 

To do better with an MC cartridge you would have to spend $3000 plus

My $600 Denon 103 modified by soundsmith will give most $3000 carts a run for their money. It equaled a Van Den Hul cart in every way.

I stopped looking once I  bought it

Regards, Steve

williewonka
3,081 posts
 

Another thing to consider is the arm.

I have an Audiomods series three. It improved the performance of my Denon  103 greatly. It has a one piece silver harness with low mass KLE Innovations RCA plugs.

 

So its not ALL about the cartridge.

 

Regards Steve

 

More to discover