JVC MC1 Moving Coil Cartridge - Heritage?

6 years later what can you say about JVC MC-1 catridge ?
I know someone who can sell a few boxed NOS JVC MC1

I posted my first JVC MC -1 to Axel because of those ''soldering
points'' I mentioned. Axel wrote to me that the ''thing'' was
not reparable.  

You posted it to me, lol 
Anyway MC-L10 is not exacly MC-1 or MC-L1000
MC-L10 is in between and probably the most balanced in this DC series.

I'm in this hobby to try things, i don't know a better way to learn, personal experience is what i need. 

Honestly i was shocked how good is MC-L10 on UA-7082 with LUX SUT and Gold Note PH-10. I could not stop listening to records for the whole night. This is rarely happens, only if i really like the cartridge. Another reason is tip-top condition of my sample. 

I’m happy to add some fresh info in this old thread:

After a brief experience with my NOS Victor MC-L10 i have to say i love this cartridge. Spend a night listening to records on my Luxman PD-444 with two tonearms and two LOMC cartridges. To my surprise the MC-L10 on Victor UA-7082 with subweright was very impressive compared to my long time favorite FR7fz or FR-64fx with N-60.

I think now i realized what is a top of the line Victor system sounds like.  
UA-7082 toneam was designed for Victor LOMC, so it’s a perfect match with MC-L10. It’s been said many time how good is the Victor tonearm, but before my favorite was shorter UA-7045 (still amazing for MM), now i’m using a long UA-7082 with MC-L10 MC (superb) on Ortofon Resonance Free headshell.

Direct Couple Victor MC-L10 (30 Ohm impedance) impressed me the most with a silver toroidal SUT (Luxman 8025 for 3-40 Ohm) between the cart and my Gold Note PH-10 in MM mode. It seems like the 8025 SUT is Rare (it was the latest in a bunch, released 1981), i’ve seen only 8030 and 8020 before. I have 8025 and 8030 to cover any cartridges with impedance anywhere from 1,5 to 40 Ohm.

For some reason the LUX 8025 SUT opens up the sound of the MC-L10 to surreal level. It’s pure magic!

I must say that MC-1 is not far in performance, i have it for a long time too, but never tried with the SUT, because my 8085 SUT has arrived only in May, 2019.

I don’t know what to think, because my phono stages are all have more than enough gain for LOMC, but the LUX silver SUT really does some magic!

I haven't tried my IKEDA 9 III , but it's here waiting in line, looks cool on its original IKEDA headshell (superheavy combination). Will be on my FR64s with B-60 one day. 

However, the price for Ikeda 9 III and related cantileverless models are much higher than for Victor direct couple MC.  

This thread is about Victor and Victor toneam is the most underrated (imo), it's incredibly cheap compared to FR tonearms. Maybe it's not easy to find a perfect sample, but it is well worth the effort (imo). I really like the Victor 7045/7082 arms.  

I have no problem with Victor MC-L10 (luckily), i wish to run one of my Victor TT-101. 

A brand new ($5k) Audio-Technica ART-1000 based on Victor's Direct Couple MC principle. Audio Technica's Mitsuo Miyata interview here.  

The higherst possible postage price to Russia even for 1 single record is from Norway for some reason.

It is true that i like original boxes and everything in vintage Hi-Fi i’m trying to buy in original box for collection like this Victor UA-7045 tonearm in the box (NOS). Your box for MC-1 was a donor for another MC-1 i found later without box. 

And later i found next model in this series (MC-L10), also in original box (NOS) and to my surprise it was a stunning performer. Now a complete Victor system is here in NOS condition with MC-L10

I ended up with 3 different MC-1 including your donor.

Only one MC-1 is working, another one have a problem with one channel and the last one is completely dead (for parts or as a visual model only). However, i asked Peter at SoundSmith regarding those two samples, he said he could work on it. Maybe his tech skills is higher than Axel’s? But you know i don’t like refurbished cartridges when i have working original, so i never shipped anything to him.

My latest MC-L10 is an inprovement over my working MC-1 which is also good.

For anyone who is curious about "Direct Couple" design by Victor Laboratory READ THIS blog written by Japanese enthusiast. This dude comparing popular vintage cartridges (MC and MM), an interesting read (imo). 

I am happy about Victor cartridges, long time ago Victor’s MM became my favorite (definitely in top 15) since i discovered NOS samples of X-1 and X-1II. This year i finally managed to buy a NOS X-1IIe and this model is also great for the money. I’ve tried many samples of them looking for perfection, and i think the X-1 is the most problematic, suspension often softened, so personally i prefer X-1II series, because i’ve never seen a sample with softened suspension (i had many).

Then i had to try Victor’s MC (Direct Couple):

My second try with MC-1 was fortunate enough and i was impressed by the quality of this Direct Douple type, Nikola tried it too and told me the sound is more like MM :)) After a first try i quickly realized what i have missed when my Spanish friend offered a bunch of then NOS, at that time i missed the deal for rediculous low price (my mistake). The reason whas a lack of info about this cart here on audiogon and else where online.

After reading J.Carr’s comment i realized i need something like MC-L10 and finally it’s here. This is a very very nice cartridge, no doubt! I really like the sound of MC-L10 (Beryllium/Shibata) on UA-7082 arm with my silver SUT.

... And now i want MC-L1000, the only problem is the price which can be up to $2k (definitely not my category).

Digging for the specs of my Victor gear i've noticed something that i missed before. The material of the armtube of my Victor UA-7082 is aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloy, not just an aluminum as i expected. Strength is three times that of conventional pure aluminum. This greatly reduces resonance. Tubular arm containing shock absorber: A light shock-absorbing material is packed inside the tonearm to prevent resonance at certain frequency. So UA-7045 and 7082 are very well damped. Migh the one of the reasons i love my UA-7082 + MC-L10 Direct Couple combo. 

@nandric i think you can’t go wrong with Toroidal Silver SUT like Luxman, the price is more than reasonable (imo). For my cartridge i don’t need 8020 (40 Ohm), but i have 8025 and 8030 to cover everything. I never tried Denon SUT you have, so you can compare and tell me :))

I have zero respect for JVC after a horrendous experience with one of their products that never worked properly

What was that? Your jvc VHS camera ? 

Ok, we're talking about high-end products released under the Victor Laboratory brand, actually a high quality stuff, but made 40 years ago. Victor tonearms and cartridges is what i like a lot, buy my experience is much wider with MM. Personally, i've never owned any cartridge, tonearm ot turntable under JVC brand, only Victor (for japanese market). 

Yeah, thanks @edgewear it is very interesting, because i also enjoyed my MC-L10 (at least half the price of MC-L1000) without lack of bass on Victor UA-7082 tonearm. Glad you like your Victor, the company made so many great MM and MC cartridges. 

I've heard that  Lumière DST is a terrible cartridge