Hell yes, some straight MMs sound good. I can't believe how good the AT150MLX sounds, and the reviews I've read on the Ortofon 2M Black and Cartridge Man MusicMaker indicate they really push the envelope on what an MM can do. Also, the Clearaudio Maestro and others seem to be very well received by the cork-sniffing audiophile press.
For maximum rigidity and signal transfer, some of the better moving magnet carts don't have replaceable stylii (e.g., Rega Exact, Grado wood series). My AT150MLX does, however, at a relatively paltry $179.95. The Goldrings and Ortofons also have replaceable stylii. The stylus assembly of the AT150MLX is so big and such a tight fit, I doubt it gives much up in the way of rigidity or signal transfer.
For maximum rigidity and signal transfer, some of the better moving magnet carts don't have replaceable stylii (e.g., Rega Exact, Grado wood series). My AT150MLX does, however, at a relatively paltry $179.95. The Goldrings and Ortofons also have replaceable stylii. The stylus assembly of the AT150MLX is so big and such a tight fit, I doubt it gives much up in the way of rigidity or signal transfer.
