MM or MI Cartridge?

Dear @lewm : Agree, inductance is not what inherently makes the differences between MC/MI/MM.

Like you I own and owned several of those 3 cartridge categories and I found out 2 distinctive characteristics during playing in favor of LOMC: transient response " speed " and low bass quality that’s tight/tied with lower over-hang and better definition.

Some of the best vintage/today MM/MI are really close to those LOMC characteristics but not at the same level that makes the differences in favor of the MUSIC.

MM/MI cartridges have a disadvantage against LOMC cartriidges that is that normally phono stage designs are designed with the LOMC in the designer minds not for MM/MI cartridges where the needs for these cartridges are really different and almost no today phono stages can fulfill it and not only because the units did not comes with the load capicitance and impedance alternatives it to fulfill each single MM/MI models but for the input gain stage .

In the phono stages that can handled both kind of designs the manufacturer treats the MM/MI option as a " side line " been the main target the LOMC facilities.

I still own 2 vintage Grado cartridges from where comes the today Epoch3 and can’t even those 2 LOMC characteristics I mentioned before. Yes, sounds really good those Grado’s and overall it depends on the owner MUSIC/sound priorities but at the end those two differences persist if we have the " rigth " rig to be aware about or interested on those characteristics level quality performance.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

@mglik The kitty is probably empty after buying the Epoch 3, so this may be immaterial. John Wright sold his business at the last moment, and a few people have reported having Decca cartridges serviced satisfactorily by the new tech. There was even a new version of the Reference promised, but I see that has gone from their webpage now. Maybe there’s more info on their Facebook page, but I don’t do Facebook. See:

https://www.londondecca.com/

I own several different cartridges from different brands, and here's my opinion (emphasis on opinion).

Didn't care for ANY of the Nagaoka line (had the opportunity to get them at cost, so I bought several in the line). I love detail and clarity, and I found them too warm and fuzzy.

Love the Ortofon line. Again, have heard at least a dozen representing 3 different lines. Can't go wrong with the 2M Black LVB 250 or the MC Cadenza Bronze.

I'd also look at the Goldring 1042 MM. It's a happy medium between Nagaoka and Ortofon. I'd recommend their Moving Iron 2500 as well, but it looks like they don't make it anymore.

Finally, I LOVE Clearaudio's Charisma V2. Everything that's great about MM and MC combined. However, it BETTER be great considering it's price. 

There, THAT should thoroughly muddy the waters.

@owu497 Thanks for the Clearaudio tip, hadn't thought about that.

@jasonbourne71 

I auditioned the Soundsmith Strain Gauge for over two hours at Soundsmith's music room. It requires its own power supply/phono stage and will not plug directly into a line level input. It is a very dramatic cartridge leaning heavily on the bright side. It will also not handle the highest groove velocities. Were I to get another Soundsmith I would opt for the Hyperion which like the Voice is very neutral and an amazing tracker.