I know the prevailing view is step ups bad, active gain good, the usual respondents are there like Raul and I would'nt claim to be as knowledgeable as they, but I get very good results with a step up in my phono stage.
In a sense I agree with the earlier respondents, if you like the Mac and whats not to like, get a quality HO MC or MM cartridge to match it. I agree with NSGARCH, whats wrong with a HO MC, there seems to be prevailing view that the lower output the better a cartridge and I suppose that fewer windings have theoretical advantages, but there are still many wonderful higher output cartridges.
If you want to go the medium or low output route, try and audition a step up. I tried and liked the EAR MC3, my own phono stage uses Lundahl transformers. Looking at the various discussion sites, the best current bet seems the Bent Audio units, compact, using excellent English transformers and easily user adjustable. I don't know if the manufacturers would lend you a Demo set. Be aware, you must audition before buying, external as opposed to built in step ups, are plagued by high noise levels in some cases. You need to try it first.
In a sense I agree with the earlier respondents, if you like the Mac and whats not to like, get a quality HO MC or MM cartridge to match it. I agree with NSGARCH, whats wrong with a HO MC, there seems to be prevailing view that the lower output the better a cartridge and I suppose that fewer windings have theoretical advantages, but there are still many wonderful higher output cartridges.
If you want to go the medium or low output route, try and audition a step up. I tried and liked the EAR MC3, my own phono stage uses Lundahl transformers. Looking at the various discussion sites, the best current bet seems the Bent Audio units, compact, using excellent English transformers and easily user adjustable. I don't know if the manufacturers would lend you a Demo set. Be aware, you must audition before buying, external as opposed to built in step ups, are plagued by high noise levels in some cases. You need to try it first.