MC versus MM. Which to choose.

Dear Lostbears, The best MM cart I own (my opinion also)
is the Virtuoso wood. As you probable know whenever a cart
get recommendation by Raul and others this cart become
an 'object of disire' so we all hunt for this cart. However
I was able to buy two specimens of this cart with broken styli on the German ebay for 50 Euro each. Then I posted them to Axel for the upgrade with line contact styli and
different cantilevers. Added cost +/-170 Euro (-19% tax
for those outside E. Union). Are the Germans crazy? No but
they are not familiar with our MM thread and are consequently ignorant about the value of this cart even with the broken stylus. For the mentioned 'hunt' one need
'some' patience and search but can ease the waiting period
with some other MM cart. Anyway this the method I use . My
latest 'hunt' resulted in one AT 180 and one Signet 9LC for
about 160 Euro each.

Regards,

Of course sometimes a thread is a little abused for the ongoing controversy about MM,MI and MC carts as it seems here in particular. On the other hand it is very interesting reading about different opinions on this topic. And this may help the thread owner too. Forget all the personal implications Raul is sometimes leaning to and better focus on the topic related issues.

My personal experience is: there are some MCs and especially MIs a MM design will never reach. I agree with Jonathan that MCs need extraordinary Phono stages and SUTs. When I started experimenting with SUTs in 2002 - since then I ended up with a total of 14 designs - the market was not open to SUTs in any way, especially the magazine writers. Focussing on a careful match you put some investment into it regarding money and time. But the result is in many cases just great.

Regarding MMs I figured out one is able to get very good results with Phono stages like the EMT JPA66 being able to calibrate all necessary parameters. I think that the negative image MMs have among most audiophiles is not justified. It is a very good alternative for a beginner`s system as well as for experienced users.

best and fun only

Raul, the audio bully, strikes again.

Dear Thuchan: +++++ " for the ongoing controversy about MM,MI and MC carts as it seems here in particular. " +++++

seems to me is because people does not seems as two alternatives as can be BD and DD in TTs. This is ok with me but as you states: " It is a very good alternative for a beginner`s system as well as for experienced users. " +++++

About the importance on phono stages, either for MC or MM/MIs, my experiences tell me that out there there is no first rate MM/MI dedicated PS but dedicated MC stages that gives the MM/MI option.

The PS I have on use is not on this last kind, it has a dedicated MM/MI PS and not only because its facilities for impedance/capacitance but because fulfil the whole MM/MI needs, example: both dedicated phono stages ( MC and MM/MI ) use different active devices for gain: bipolars in one and Fets in the other. Choose of these devices was thinking on specific needs for each kind of cartridge: MM/MI or MCs. Even that we can think are similar well are not and needs are differnt.

I posted several times that MM/MIs are in disadvantage against the MC because there are no MM/MI dedicated PSs when in the other side all are dedicated MC Pss.

Anyway, now lostbears could goes to the digital alternative.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Dear nandric: Yes, " contender " was my word mistake.

regards and enjoy the music,
R.