Calling all analog experts

Here's more information. First, audio equipment is NOT an investment--that salesman is trying to grease you, Jsonic! Second, being aware of compromises, making educated choices and learning to live with them is a must. Let's use the example of the modded Groovemaster I use. Here's some info from KAB's website:

The unique 4 coil circuit performs a hum canceling operation and also aids in improving the channel separation. The low mass, incredibly short cantilever tracks demanding passages with ease.

Stanton's standard mount cartridges have the coil assembly mounted at right angles to the moving magnet. If we induce vertical and lateral vibration into the tonearm, this cartridge output shows a random phase pattern.
But with the inline design of the Groovemaster 2, vertical vibration induced into the tonearm produces a vertical signal, lateral vibration produces a lateral signal. This "phase alignment" tells me there is an advantage to the inline design. All things being equal, the GM2 delivers more realism and less distortion.

This is a nude cantilever design.
The cantilever is not protected in any way. You must decide that you can offer the respect that a nude stylus demands. They are easier to bump, hit and destroy. Keep all that in mind before you purchase it.

So, with my direct drive unit I am driving a moving magnet design wich, albeit heavier than a moving coil, it is really responsive, having a short cantilever whith less flexing. The fact that it is an integrated headshell design lowers the mass and improves trackability (this "DJ cartridge" has some serious bass). Now comes the real hard part. How much signal degradation I'm subjecting myself by going to a lower level signal? There's going to be more succeptibility to electrical line noise plus degradation of the signal as it travels from the cartridge leads to the phono preamp. Manipulation lower signals is also more challenging and the potential for increasing distortion increases. Not easy choices at all.

In my case I was using an Ortofon X5 high output moving coil (2.5 mV) at the time Kevin sent me a Beta release of the modded Groovemaster to try out. My Ortofon X5 is one of the *classics*, models that have been around for 20+ years. After the Groovemaster broke in I reallized it was better sounding than the Ortofon. It has the midrange of a $1,500 moving coil and so far is not the weak link in my analog setup. Last night I installed five Marigo green discs on the tonearm assembly and one under the Groovemaster and the improvement in clarity and dynamics was *really* good. One of my guys who modded his 1200 had told me to work on vibration control at the gimbal and the improvements would be substantial. I placed one of the discs at the top bearing housing, and three around the base of the gimbal. Things just keep getting better and better. I'm getting sound that reminds me of a friend's Monster Alpha cartridge...

I agree that the best pickup I ever had was MC, but for practical reasons I now use a Shure V15MR, and it ain't bad at all. Two points with reference to prior comments.

1. I don't think that trackability explains MC superiority. No cartridge beats the V15MR on this score, and it is a MM design. I think that Shure invented the term "trackability" and put out the test record that is commonly used.

2. Although a MC pickup usually puts out a lower voltage signal its impedance is also low, so noise pickup is not the problem that one might suppose.

Finally, I don't see where anyone has yet mentioned the issue of the user-replaceable stylus. This is a big plus for MM units.

IMHO, a MC is like one of those women that you really want to date a few times, but is hard (and expensive) to be married to.

Teres must be compared to tables costing at least 50% more. There is no distributer no dealer or arrogant periodicals to support. The value of a Teres is realized by sound design, quality materials and tank like construction. Most important a very musical instument to enjoy. When Teres is compared in its price range the other tables offer half of what you get in a Teres the other half of the price is not realized by the consumer. I do not work for Teres. Just my views.

How tough is it to set up a tere? This includes arm and cartridge. I have no skills in any of these areas.

Ummm... That's Teres.