On the basis of some of the comments here, what I’ve read in reviews, and most importantly, the sound I’m looking for, I’m probably going to switch to a LOMC cartridge: the Hana ML. It seems to be the best choice for me, and I can get a deal on it.
MM, MC, or MI cartridge
Can somebody briefly describe the difference in the sonic characteristics of these types of cartridge, if possible?
I’ve never had a MC and I’m wondering what difference it would make.
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All qualitative generalizations on this subject are shaky. My experience only says that High Output MC cartridges don't usually compete well with MM, MI, or LOMC types. If you like the LOMC "sound", don't overlook MI types which are in the same vein and sometimes a better bang for the buck. (Notice I stuck in several general statements there while first having warned you about generalizations.) |
+1, @mikelavigne |
Dear @lalitk @rvpiano : " They are better at picking up details in the record grooves and can therefore reproduce the fine details in the music.." No, that's not true because what any cartridge pick up ( everything the same. ) depends mainly of its tracking abilities that depends mainly of its compliance. Normally MM cartridges are high compliance designs and has inherent better tracking abilities than LOMC low to medium compliance cartridges, so MM can pick up more signal information recorded on those LP grooves. Cartridge motors for MC/MM/MI are way different and one of the main differences comes from there. LOMC has better overall detail and normally are better at both frequency extremes with a tigther bass range ( less overhang down there ) and transparency at the other extreme and with a better bass range the bass range harmonics are better and helps to improves the mid range quality level and the the high frequencies. From where comes that better quality? mainly from the really smal/tiny coil windings in the MC motor where happens the transducer operation, it's trough those coil wires where the sensitive signal pass through and in MC the coil path is way shorter than in MM/MI that's why its low and very low output that in theory as lower the output as better signal quality but all has trade offs and here the trade off with LOMC cartridges is precisely its low output that needs higher gain in the phono stages but even that the quality of its signal is better. LOMC has other inherent advantages that are that the cartridge is no sensitive to load impedance and to load capacitance where the other designa are, yes this is not what you asking for.
The cartridge motor principle in MC/MM/MI it does not changed over the last 50+ years. @rvpiano now you have an opinion of the difference on what you listen through a LOMC against the other cartridge motor different designs. Can the MM/MI designs even the LOMC designs quality performance? this could be for other thread and exist several opinions about in the long MM thread but this subject is not what you asking for.
R. |
look at it this way; almost 100% of the design efforts in the last 15-20 years have been advancing moving coils. why? they have some substantial advantages in performance. and phono preamps have got much quieter too, allowing for optimization of low output moving coils. that said there are plenty of great sounding examples of other types, but overall moving coils rule today. |
It all depends on how the cartridge is voiced. The different types do have slightly different characteristics, but a MM can be really warm or very bright. The same holds true for other types of cartridges. Some are very neutral, while others are voiced to be more euphonic. I prefer MC cartridges, as they do tend to present more details and have less "grain", however I'm currently enjoying my Soundsmith Aida II MI cartridge, which comes very close to the performance of my much more expensive MC cartridges. Most MC carts require more gain due to lower output. They are not all "typically" .2mV. Many are in the .4 - 5mV range. There are high output MC cartridges that don't require as much gain (usually around 2.0 mV) and may work with a MM phono stage, but typically don't sound quite as good as their low output versions. It's important to match the cartridge to your tonearm and phono stage. A well matched MM may sound better than a similarly priced MC if not matched well to the rest of your analog chain and your listening tastes. In other words, MC, MI, MM is just one factor to consider when purchasing a cartridge. |
MC cartridges are generally considered the better sounding option because of their lower moving mass. They are better at picking up details in the record grooves and can therefore reproduce the fine details in the music with higher accuracy than MM cartridges. The differences between MM and MC are more apparent when listening to very high quality recordings on a high-end turntable, a good quality MC cartridge like Hana ML will produce more precise soundstage and finer details than a similarly price MM cartridge. This is not to say that MM cart can’t sound good. It is my opinion and understanding that MM cartridges with their higher moving mass, have a tendency to “smooth out” the fine details. For affordable low-end turntables, MM cart is the most obvious choice :-) And then there is difference of signal output levels. The typical signal output from a MM cartridge is 5mV. While a MC cartridge typically outputs 0.2mV. |
