Moving Coil high or low?

[AlfaGTV]

My experience with HO MC's is really not all that great, beginning with a Benz Micro Silver. It did, however, lead me into more refined vinyl playback. Not that the cart itself is bad or so, but it was already used and quite worn.

A friend does have a Benz Micro Ace SH on his VPI Classic MkII, and that doesn't sound bad at all, when fed into a McIntosh Pre/Power combo. It lacks a little refinement and punch though, when comparing to my own Ace SL.

The problem, imho, is that you can never compare a HO MC to its LO equivalent without involving step up or other high gain RIAA. And i do believe the phono stage makes a lot bigger difference than the carts when comparing identical otherwise than the output.

Br Micke

[Marco]

The trouble is that the 'consensus' is always wrong - if 'safe'. The 'right' answer has been posted on the thread - it's not quite what you asked for.

Decca.

Lol, Patrick - aye!

The 'right' answer is that everything in audio is a compromise, including cartridges.

Deccas are great, for those who value their particular sonic strengths (count me in), but like any other cartridge, they are no universal panacea.

Marco.

[MartinT]

Do mc's sound sweeter or more spacious , more refined or is it detail ?

That gets to the heart of it, Chris: for me, low output MC strengths are not sweetness but detail within a pronounced wide and deep soundstage, superb midrange presentation and dynamic impact.

[chris@panteg]

That gets to the heart of it, Chris: for me, low output MC strengths are not sweetness but detail within a pronounced wide and deep soundstage, superb midrange presentation and dynamic impact.

Thanks Martin

The Troika was the only genuine MC i ever used , (been gone 13 years) until now that is Thinking of mounting the AT33EV tomorrow , feeling a bit nervous .