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MM Cartridge or MC Cartridge

I'm embarrassed to say that after owning a ClearAudio Maestro cart for only a month, I had a mishap and damaged the stylus. It's gonna cost $600 to get it replaced. Does anyone have any better suggestions as far as a better cart for the $$, or is this the best for this price range? Also, what are the advantages to a MC cart? I'm just getting back into LP's and have not done the research. Besides, I trust your opinions more than reviews. I will have the opportunity to buy up, so now would be the time to go to a MC cart. Will I have to have a step-up transformer? My phono stage is an Audio Research PH-3 SE.
handymann
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
I agree with a number of Johnnyb53's suggestions. You can figure out the tone arm effective mass and cartridge mass and complaince questions by referring to Vinyl Engine.

Also, I own both the Grado Sonata ($500) and the Clear Audio Virtuoso Wood ($550-$600). IMHO, the V Wood sounds better than the Grado Sonata, but both are very good. If you're "spoiled" by the CA Maestro, you might consider the V Wood.

I also heard and read great things about the Ortofon 2M Black ($559). It's supposed to be a super cartridge.

I'll leave the MC/MM debate to others.

Good luck.
waynefia
156 posts
 
"02-18-11: Dougdeacon
Agree with Audiofeil.

In my system, which is optimized for LOMC's, I've yet to hear one which costs less than ~$2K significantly outplay several sub-$200 MMs. An LOMC that costs ~$600 would be a waste of money IME. For the same money I could buy 3 superior MM's or one MM and $400 worth of other goodness."

I'd like to hear a few of those MM you are referring to ?

thanks,

Wayne
inna
7,256 posts
 
Audiofeil, are Audio Note MMs significantly better than Goldrings?
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
Agree with Audiofeil, Doug and Waynefi. My agreement with
Waynefi imply that the story of Stanwal belongs to the
so called 'propositional attitudes': wishing, dreaming, hope for, etc.

Regards,
waynefia
156 posts
 
What I wanted to hear from DougDeacon was the model MM cartridges he is referring to in his comment, it would be nice to see if there are a few more alternatives.

Wayne
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