Should I try a MC cartridge and phono pre?

Eldartford,

No offense, but during your MC days did you actually hear a more SOTA rig in your system? If not, how can you possibly know whether those limited rigs hindered your MC's performance? You never gave the cartridge a chance.

MCs are more responsive to low level input than MMs. That's what makes them better, but of course that also makes them more revealing of problems. The fact that MCs respond optimally at higher VTFs does *nothing* to isolate them from a mismatched arm or a poor table. The sloppy arm bearings and motor rumble of my old TT were *vastly* more audible with my Shelter 901 than with my ADC XLM MkII, despite VTF being 1/2g higher with the Shelter. As a matter of fact, higher VTF's will actually emphasize some problems. For example, if a TT is susceptible to stylus drag effects then higher VTFs will make things worse.

Maintaining well-matched components while upgrading is more likely to satisfy and less likely to cause problems than having one component that is head-and-shoulders above other, closely linked components.

Thank you all, I guess it's decision time. My TT is in a separate all vintage system, of gear that I purchased in the 70s. Everything still sounds great, but partly for sentimental reasons I wasn't planning to change any of it, except for cables, interconnects, and the cartridge. I would still like to improve the overall sound though, if possible. I was thinking about a modest improvement like a Creek pre and possibly a Denon 103R cartridge, or is there a MM that would sound just as good at this price point?
If I decide to get another TT, I would probably put it into the newer "digital" rig.
Thanks again, Sonny

If you want to keep the retro kick alive and go MC, the Denon is an appropriate choice. If you lend credence to the MM / matching argument in this thread, here's another suggestion: a Shure V15VxMR.

The V15VxMR is the latest in a legendary lineage that began in 1964... it's still an "editor's choice" reference MM cartridge, and has been improved in every new version. It's a very fine MM cart with great bass, trackability and toe-tapping pace. I happen to run an early '80s V15 Type IV cart (new stylus) on my Michell Gyro SE/Rega RB600. This is very much a case of the "upgrade order" suggested by Dougdeacon - I haven't bought a new 'cart since getting the new 'table and arm, I like the V15 just fine!

Whatever you do, best of luck.

Dougdeacon...To be more precise, the limitations of my TT did not prevent me from hearing a rather significant improvement with the MC pickup. Perhaps the MC would have been even better with an exotic high end TT, but the MC in the existing TT was something I could afford, and was reasonable value for the money. The TT upgrade is for the "cost-no-object" folks.

Incidentally, the Shure V15MR is what I had before, and what I have gone back to now. Recommended for those who retain vinyl as a secondary source. Darned good sounding, practical, trouble-free, inexpensive.

From my experience in modding my Technics 1200 I can tell you that isolation and power delivery are your main priorities.

I would construct a base, either a sand box http://www.tnt-audio.com or air platform. I use a Dennensen air platform. I strongly suggest you replace the stock power cord for a VenHaus shielded (and cryo'ed) wire w/ a cryo'ed plug. Also, I would buy a small ONEAC isolation transformer/filter (like an 1102) from eBay for $15-20. This will improve the strength of the music as well as low level information retrieval. How so? Although the 1300 does not have the quartz locked speed sensing/correction mechanism the newer models do, it still has one. The less noise and the more readily power is available, the more speed/rotational stability the platter will have.

I would not concern myself about using a MC. With direct drives like yours I don't think it's that critical. The deck has enough torque to plow through transients. I do have two cartridges: an Ortofon X5 (MC) and a KAB modded Stanton Groovemaster (MM). I am using the Stanton and don't miss the MC at all.

You have not stated what your source equipment is, so I don't know if you have a receiver or a preamp. The most logical course of action for me would be to add a cryo'ed outlet and good filtration to your receiver/pre/whatever. That will automatically lower noise floor and add low level resolution, bringing out more music...