Entry Level MC Recommendations?


The househeeper's duster snagged the stylus of my SoundSmith rebuilt Clearaudio Virtuoso cartridge and yanked it clean out! Now that I'm done crying, I'm looking at it as an opportunity to try a MC cartridge. My budget is $200-300. I have a Clearaudio Emotion turntable with Satisfy tonearm. I like what I read about the Benz-Micro MC20E2-L. The Denon DL-103 has been recommended. Ortophon Blue? Sumiko Pearl? I'm open to anything that will give me an even balance between detail and musicality/tonal accuracy. I listen to folk, jazz and classical, as well as the occasional rock record. Thanks!
rosedanny

Showing 2 responses by almarg

It appears that the LOMC phono stage of your Luxman L-505u integrated amplifier presents a non-adjustable load impedance of 100 ohms. The Benz cartridge is specified with a recommended load impedance of 400 ohms to 47K, and therefore appears to not be a good match. Not sure about the other LOMC's that have been mentioned, but compatibility with 100 ohm loading is a factor that should be considered for any LOMC candidates.

Regards,
-- Al
Danny, "LOMC" = "Low Output Moving Coil." In your case that would refer to a moving coil cartridge whose rated output under standard test conditions is low enough to require you to engage the "Phono MC" switch on the amp.

The Benz MC20E2-L, rated at 0.5 mv (millivolts) and the Denon DL-103, rated at 0.3 mv would certainly fall into that category. The DL-103 has a specified minimum load impedance of only 100 ohms, though. However, I would be concerned that its sonics might not be as good at that value as at higher values.

The Dynavector DV-10x5, rated at 2.5 mv, would almost certainly not fall into that category, and you would use it with the "Phono MC" switch disengaged, as if it were a moving magnet cartridge. I suspect that the same goes for the Denon DL-110, at 1.6 mv.

The Audio Technica AT-F3III is also a LOMC, with a rated output of 0.35 mv, and like the DL-103 is specified for a minimum load impedance of 100 ohms. Again, whether or not it would do as well at that value as at higher values would be a concern.

In general, excessively heavy loading (i.e., too low a load impedance value) will result in adverse sonic effects such as reductions in dynamics, transient impact, and resolution.

The Soundsmith option suggested by Fleib is well worth considering, as the cartridge repairs and stylus upgrades performed by Mr. Ledermann of Soundsmith are nothing short of magical in my experience and that of many others. The downside may be a significant wait time, though, so Fleib's suggestion of a low priced cartridge to be used temporarily is also a good one.

Regards,
-- Al