Best MM Cartridges

[Jimbo]

Hi all,

what would you consider to be the very best MM cartridges available today?

[RobbieGong]

Hi all,

what would you consider to be the very best MM cartridges available today?

For fear of sounding repetative and boring ( I am known here for constantly bigging up this cart !) The Ortofon 2M Black is simple stunning and regarded by many as one of if not the best mm out there. In my experience it is exceptionally good and the only mm for me

[potatoha]

For fear of sounding repetative and boring ( I am known here for constantly bigging up this cart !) The Ortofon 2M Black is simple stunning and regarded by many as one of if not the best mm out there. In my experience it is exceptionally good and the only mm for me

How does 2M Black compare to similarly priced MC cartridges?

[Qwin]

+1 for 2M Black

Goldring 1042 can still be had, is a lot less costly and is also very good, but 2M Black is better.

[RobbieGong]

How does 2M Black compare to similarly priced MC cartridges?

Hi John, I've never personally had an mc but have read tons about it just to see if others are as happy and excited by this cart as I am and everyrthing I've ever read says a huge yes - a legion of happy and excited folk. I've read a number of times that it presents like a decent mc, (whatever that means). i can only think they are refereing to it's skill with timbre, texture and detail as well as that sense of air. Check these customer reviews tab and you'll see what I mean and what others say - http://www.needledoctor.com/Ortofon-...hono-Cartridge

[Clive]

AT150 MLX, this compares very favourably to my London Reference which is in a totally different price league. The AT needs care taking with setup, when it's right it sings, tracking at about 1.5gm works for me, go higher and the sound dies somewhat. Some say it's bass light, it is not at all like that.... It's around £200, this is a bargain.

http://www.lpgear.com/product/ATC0150MLX.html

http://dagogo.com/audio-technica-at1...rtridge-review

[Ammonite Audio]

I'd agree with others regarding the 2M Black. I regret selling mine, but an Audio Note IQ3 snapped up recently at a good price is really rather good and possibly even better than the 2M Black, but had I paid its new retail price I would fully expect it to be magic.

The OP's question is a tad generalised, though. Whether any MM cartridge sings or not depends on the tonearm, and most particularly the total capacitance loading, eg that of the phono cable plus whatever is in the phono amp. Get that loading wrong and even the best MM cartridges can sound pretty uninspiring.

[MartinT]

The phono stage itself is pretty important to the sound of a good MM. Don't dismiss the idea of a high output MC either.

[Clive]

For sure MM loading (resistive and capacitive) is important and the synergy with the arm and phono stage are key too. Overall good MM matching is a little trickier than MC matching. Listen to an MM with a cantilever and tip of the quality you'd find on a good MC, you may find MMs can sound better than typical opinion would suggest.

Here's a view on the 2M Black vs AT150MLX. http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vin...75/751827.html

[julesd68]

I'm delighted with my Garrott P77i which I consider a small step up from my previous cart, the superb Nagaoka MP-50. If funds permitted I would certainly like to try one of the pricier Garrotts.