MC versus MM. Which to choose.

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.

Dear Lostbears, To save you from the 'digital alternative'
as well to save you some money I need to add that there
are more 'alternatives' by Clearaudio MM carts. According

to Fleib all Clearaudio MM carts use the same 'generator'.
The difference in models and prices is because of different
styli and cantilevers. So no need to focus on the Virtuoso.
Under proviso that you will post the cart to Axel for the
upgrad you can buy the cheapest model and still get an very
good MM cart. I have just seen one on ebay.uk for cheap.

Regards,

Hi Jonathan,
Happy Holidays, and now あけましておめでとうございました！
Thanks, as always, for chiming in.

I have to agree with several of your points. Regarding tracking, I definitely agree. I also think that personal preferences on arm and arm-type make drawing conclusions "too easy". I would expect that certain people who like certain kinds of arms would find that MMs track a LOT better than MCs, but I find for a great deal of music that the ability of a cart/arm combo to track the cannonball shot of the 1812 Overture is not a relevant determinant of how well the cart does with other music). However, I think your point about the phono stage is most important - both in terms of absolute quality of gain stage and how well the phono stage deals with the nasties that come from downstream. While I liked great MCs better than many of the great MMs with previous phono amplification, it took a great headamp for me to learn how sublime a great MC could be.

As you know, I am a big fan of the JVC L1000 MC (and I even referred to it obliquely here on Agon a day or two ago). I have not found an MM (and I must admit to more limited experience with great MIs) which can beat the JVC when the JVC is matched with a great headamp.

That said, for many people out there, buying a Connoisseur, an Essential (Raul's phono stage), or something similarly spendy is out of reach. I don't have either but adding a JVC L1000 plus an HZ-1 and a phono stage to do both of them justice, while relatively speaking, a bargain in my eyes, is also beyond what many people want to deal with (in terms of hunting them down, and mentally dealing with the fact that they are 30 years old).