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Can someone explain "Moving Iron" vs."Moving Coil"

I recently got back into Vinyl, and I bought a Sota Sapphire, with an Alphason arm and a Grado cartridge. I asked the previous owner if it was a moving magnet or moving coil cartridge - he told me it was a moving iron. I've got a Classe DR6 preamp - do I select MM or MC on the back of the pre ? I started off with MM and I don't seem to getting sufficient gain, I don't want to switch to MC, as I'm afraid the output of the Grado might be way too high for the MC phono stage. Am I being paranoid, or should I just go ahead and flip the switch to MC and ride the results? Thanks.
dbamac

Showing 4 responses by dweller

dweller's avatar
dweller
3,755 posts
 
Basically, an audio signal is generated by moving a magnet near a stationary coil of wire ("Moving Magnet") or by moving a coil of wire near a stationary magnet ("Moving Coil").
The MM has more inertia which is why MC is generally considered to have a finer sound (can start-and-stop quicker). The MM generates a stronger signal (greater amplitude) and doesn't need such a strong head-amp.
Hope this helps...

Seems I'm off-base with this explanation.
See earlier post "MC or MM".
Ghostrider45 has a good explanation...
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,755 posts
 
What Sdcampbell said.
As far as harming your equipment, compare the specified output of your MI cartridge to that of an MC.
If not radically different, turn the volume all the way down, plug into the MC channel and give it a shot.
Call Grado if you want ot be sure.
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,755 posts
 
Dbamac: Don't forget to let us know how things turn out?
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,755 posts
 
Dbamac: Never mind.
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