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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
wspohn's avatar
wspohn
578 posts
 

I use a Goldring Eroica LX in a third system and have found it to be quite nice.  It is within your price range.

pooch2's avatar
pooch2 OP
71 posts
 

I had a chance to research most of the excellent recommendations including: the Denon 103 and variants, Lyra Delos which sounds very good, Various Dynovector options, Audio Technica Art9, Benz Micro Glider SL and a few others. I will add the Goldring Eroica LX to my research list. Most are very good options and have given me a short list of options to pursue in the future. Some are over my budget for this first MC but look very interesting for future investments. 

I am glad to have decided to make a further investment in my Vinyl musical option, I was sitting on the fence for a while, trying to decide whether to sell my Vinyl and concentrate on my digital side or to make further investment into my analogue side of the musical equation. So here we go down the rabbit hole once more!

First the new (to me) tube Phono Preamp, now I have decided to try the HANA ML, which was recommended by a number of folks here and by other I trust as my first MC Cartridge. It is at the top of my budget (a little bit over) and I feel confident the Sansui SR 525 can get the most from it, although .... a turntable upgrade may be next!

Many thanks to all the information and advise received.

kahlenz's avatar
kahlenz
260 posts
 

The Hana ML is a good choice.  I have an SL but I am running it into 1kohm (100 is too low).  The ML should be fine.
My concern is the tonearm on the Sansui.  It would be a bit course for the very low ohm LOMC carts; you'll just have to see how well it works with the ML.
Don't give up on MM carts! At your price level (and considering the limitations of your table) there are some remarkable options (Grado, SoundSmith, AT, Ortofon to name a few). I have a MoFi Master Tracker which kills (kind of fits the high-end AT profile)!  Lately, I have been seduced by Grado and especially SoundSmith.  Your phono pre will probably have more synergy with MMs as well.  There's a certain warmth and smoothness in MM carts that gets into the tube gestalt.

andyz
39 posts
 

Don’t mean to confuse this anymore than it is, but for $1500 I would suggest the Audio Note IQ3 MM cart. Can’t be beat for the money IMO.I believe you would need to spend a lot more in MC territory to get to the level you can with this MM cart.

polkalover
99 posts
 

Not to be a contrarian- check out a soundsmith fixed coil cart.  The zephyr is in your price range.  I swear by my paua- it’s the best cart I’ve owned.

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