Lowest priced MC thats better than a Premium MM?


I’ve only used MM’s with my Technics 1200Gr with Luxman Phono Pre. I’ve used a couple AT "540ML" series, a Ortofon black, KAB Concord with 40 stylus (very close to Ortofon Black in sound) and my current Nagaoka JT80BK (which I love). I tend to change cartriges (and keep them with headshell intact) at a point to where the stylus still has around 40% -50% life. I sometimes I switch out and listen to my older ones for a change of flavor.

I’m now wanting to try a MC however, I want to keep it under $1200 or so. An Ortofon SPU would be fun to try, however, from what I've read, I do not think its a good match for my tonearm. For my 1200GR, can anyone recommend a good MC Cartridge. I’m tempted to try a ZU modified 103r. Thoughts?

aberyclark

Showing 2 responses by mijostyn

@lewm 1++

The Soundsmith Voice is the best high output cartridge I have ever had in my system. In order to better it with a LOMC cartridge I had to spend $8000 plus. They are two different markets and the pricing is vastly different. I had a conversation with Peter Ledermann asking him why the Sussusso cost $2000 more than The Voice as they look like the same cartridge, the only difference being the number of windings on the coils. His response was, "the market." He makes low output cartridges so audiophiles can use their fancy phono stages and he can make a higher profit. Peter is honest to a fault and stands firmly behind everything he makes. I just ordered a Hyperion MR through Sounds of Silence. If you are in the south eastern New England area this is a great dealer.

Certainly, at $3000 and below you are much better off with a high output cartridge. Like Lew I tend to prefer MI designs. I look for the best cantilevers and stylus profiles with ultra low mass designs. I avoid aluminum cantilevers with swaged ends. That is unnecessary mass in a place you definitely do not want it. Styluses should be so small they are hard to see with the naked eye. Cantilevers should be boron, sapphire or diamond. It is all about low mass and high stiffness. 

@panzrwagn 

Sure. MC cartridges already use very powerful magnets. The only option to increase the output is to increase the size of the coils which adds a lot of mass to the moving system making it harder to damped effectively. Theoretically they would also go through styluses and record grooves faster. In short it is a silly marketing idea. MM and MI cartridges are far superior when it comes to high output design.