MC v MM Cartridges is one better than the other by design?

[Paul-H]

Hi all

Excuse the probably stupid question but looking to get a new cartridge and it got me thinking

Apart from the obvious that is MC has a lower output voltage to MM and requires the correct Phono Stage are there any real practical differences between MM & MC

My amp supports both MM & MC but what else should I be considerin. It used to be suggested that MC was better than MM but going by the number of high quality MM cartridges around now I suspect that is no longer true, if it ever was.

So for a given price point say 2 to 3 hundred pounds would one be better over the other.

Thanks for any input on this

Paul

[Bigman80]

Hi Paul,

I've used a lot of budget MM carts and never really had any issue with sound quality until I got my hands on an Ortofon Vivo Red. This really opened my eyes in terms of quality. Everything sounded so much better. The best MM cart I owned was a Goldring 2100 which cost me £130 new. The Ortofon cost £150 used.

I then got hold of a Denon DL304 (?) Which is bar far the best cartridge I've personally heard. That cost the equivalent of £250 (I swapped a tonearm for it)

I'd say in me experience, go for the best used (low hours of course) MC you can afford.

The difference in my timeline has been surprising.

Those on here that have hi-end MM may have seen less of a difference between MM & MC. I'm sure they'll chime in.

Oliver.

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[Arkless Electronics]

MC carts are superior to MM without doubt in my opinion, and that of the majority of enthusiasts.... Some say the Decca MM's will give them a good run for their money but they can be awkward to use and tracking can be marginal.
MC's generally have wider, flatter frequency response and are far less critical on loading than MM's. The main plus points to MM's being that they can, in some cases, have better tracking than MC's and they have removable stylus assemblies so new stylus time can be cheaper and easier.

MC's generally sound better in pretty much every area but especially in terms of "life" and dynamic contrast of the music, overall transparency and they seem to have a wider palette of tonal colours....

[Scooby]

I much prefer MCs. I still haven't heard an MM I'd be happy with. That said, I haven't heard the likes of the Technics EPC205 which gets a very good rep here and elsewhere. Quite a few MCs I've lived happily with though. One thing to bear in mind is the quality of the phono stage. MC is a much smaller signal so there's often more cost and skill in getting a good MC stage.

[Bigman80]

I much prefer MCs. I still haven't heard an MM I'd be happy with. That said, I haven't heard the likes of the Technics EPC205 which gets a very good rep here and elsewhere. Quite a few MCs I've lived happily with though. One thing to bear in mind is the quality of the phono stage. MC is a much smaller signal so there's often more cost and skill in getting a good MC stage.

The MC stage is a good point. I was also happy with my MC stage in the Sony TA730ES and then I bought a SUT from Walpurgis and now I wouldn't go back lol. It's an expensive passion this analogue business.

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[Arkless Electronics]

I much prefer MCs. I still haven't heard an MM I'd be happy with. That said, I haven't heard the likes of the Technics EPC205 which gets a very good rep here and elsewhere. Quite a few MCs I've lived happily with though. One thing to bear in mind is the quality of the phono stage. MC is a much smaller signal so there's often more cost and skill in getting a good MC stage.

A good point yes! It's considerably easier and cheaper to make a MM phono stage to a certain standard than a MC one... Not that it would effect my choice of cart.

Personally, I would say that if you are really serious about good sound from vinyl then you WILL be using a MC cartridge. MM's are ok for budget systems and DJ'ing...

[struth]

Dont think the necessary outcome is just as simple as which is better designed but more what suits your system and your tastes. Maybe pocket too lol. I like a decent mm tbh, and think it does enough right to keep me happy, without too many costs and setup troubles.

[Firebottle]

...... are there any real practical differences between MM & MC

The nature of an MC cartridge has less 'moving mass' internally, so can respond better and more quickly to the mechanical movements of the stylus/cantilever.

[Bigman80]

I have to say, every time I've "upgraded" a part in my setup, it has improved the sou d considerably. I am sure that as you reach a certain point the difference becomes negligible.

I'm never gonna have room or money for £20k speakers etc

I'm Trying to optimise the system for the space and budget I have.

just try to get the best equipment you can afford (best value as price doesn't pertain to performance) and the most suitable equipment for the listening space.

Can't go far wrong with that mantra surely ?



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[walpurgis]

You need a pair of Tannoys mate .

Buy Bev's System 800's. You like those!