MC versus MM. Which to choose.

Marakanetz,

these are two different worlds, MMs and MCs. Both have their Pros and Cons. You might read Rauls thread from the beginning. Yes, it will take a while but gives you insight rather than following advices of dealers selling what they just have on stock. But some dealers providing a variety of carts, MMs and MCs, do exchange carts. when you have finished testing you may choose your favourite cart.

best @ fun only

Of course sometimes a thread is a little abused for the ongoing controversy about MM,MI and MC carts as it seems here in particular. On the other hand it is very interesting reading about different opinions on this topic. And this may help the thread owner too. Forget all the personal implications Raul is sometimes leaning to and better focus on the topic related issues.

My personal experience is: there are some MCs and especially MIs a MM design will never reach. I agree with Jonathan that MCs need extraordinary Phono stages and SUTs. When I started experimenting with SUTs in 2002 - since then I ended up with a total of 14 designs - the market was not open to SUTs in any way, especially the magazine writers. Focussing on a careful match you put some investment into it regarding money and time. But the result is in many cases just great.

Regarding MMs I figured out one is able to get very good results with Phono stages like the EMT JPA66 being able to calibrate all necessary parameters. I think that the negative image MMs have among most audiophiles is not justified. It is a very good alternative for a beginner`s system as well as for experienced users.

best and fun only