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Need some help picking my first MC Cartridge

I have recently purchased an Icon PS1 Mk II tube Phono Preamp. and was thinking of purchasing a seperate MC cartridge and head to interchange with my Nagoaka MP 300 MM cartridge, which I am very happy with. This is my first MC Cartridge so this is more of a chance to compare MC versus MM Cartridges. Some suggestions have been Denon 103 or the Hana Red, The Icon Preamp has a fixed MC load setting of 100 ohms. The Sansui SR 525 Direct Drive Turntable that I will be using has an interchangeable cartridge head, so VTA height, tracking weight, anti-skating adjustments may be required for each cartridge but should not take more than 20 minutes to adjust. I have read that some low output cartridges may be preferable to high output, but I am not sure how this matches up with the Icon Preamp. I am a little in the weeds here with the technical information when it comes to cartridges so be gentle.

My listening preference is more to the musical / warm vinyl side. Gear: Tube preamp, Class "A" amp , alternating with a tube Integrated, Wilson Benesch Square 2 Speakers, Rel Subs (x2). I split my listening about 50/50 Vinyl/Digital.

My Budget is up to $1500.00

128x128pooch2

Showing 2 responses by pinwa

pinwa
237 posts
 

The Denon 103 is probably the best budget choice.  It has a warm analog kind of sound but it doesn't offer the ultimate in soundstage or detail.  I think it is best with a Step Up Transformer and the Audiotorium A23 sounds great with it but it is a little pricey.  You could also use a SUT based on the Lundahl LL1933 and be happy.

I also own the ART9XA and ART9XI.  I think the ART9XA requires a better turntable than you have to really shine since it's improvements are primarily in soundstage and separation and the arm/table really have to be good to allow its virtues to show up.  It didn't sound special with a Technics SL1200GR.  But the ART9XI is fantastic with terrific dynamics and a very balanced presentation from bass thru treble.  However, I don't think anybody would describe it as warm.

I have never used it but the AT-OC9XML gets a lot of love and it is a much better price point than the ART9 series.

The Dynavector 10X5 would be another good recommendation.  This isn't the most resolving cartridge and the top end is a little rolled off but it sounds great and has a wonderful midrange.

Grado Moving Iron cartridges also have a very warm character but my Grado Sonata 3 is too rolled off in the highs for my tastes.

Also, don't get too hung up on all this.  Cartridges definitely make a difference but probably less of a difference than most reviewers/users represent.  Having said that my cartridge of choice at the moment is the Ortofon Cadenza Bronze.

pinwa
237 posts
 

@alvinnir2 I have my Denon DL-103 on my Technics SL-1200GR.  Even after I bought a fairly heavy Ortofon LH-4000 headshell to use it still didn't sound very special.  But a friend suggested I add weight to the headshell so I Blu-tacked a nickel on to it and it sounded much better.  So you are right the Denon probably isn't the best match for the Sansui arm but there are work arounds to increase the tonearm's effective mass to better match the cartridge.

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