Comparison of 21 different MC cartridges

[willbewill]

Listened using LG V20 phone with hifi quad dac running using KZ AS10 IEMs.

Three sttod out for me:

Supex 900
Ortofon MC20s
Asaka

Probably in that order, they had more 'presence' ie noticed greater harmonics, and sounstage was larger.

[Matt_J]

No way of listening via anything other than crappy device speakers, so I'm probably not going to be hearing much between them.

I'm surprised much comes across via a YT recording anyway, is it not all reliant on the recording equipment and YTs audio compression?

[loheswaran]

I am told that the FR1 is a unique cartridge and well worth finding - that said I can't bring myself round to buying a 30 year second hand cartridge for the price of a new MC

[Marco]

No way of listening via anything other than crappy device speakers, so I'm probably not going to be hearing much between them.

I'm surprised much comes across via a YT recording anyway, is it not all reliant on the recording equipment and YTs audio compression?

Yes of course, but all the cartridges have been subjected to the same limitations, and therefore a level playing field. Regardless of the compression, you should still be able to hear clear sonic differences, especially through headphones. Others and I certainly can, as indeed we've outlined

Marco.

[Marco]

I am told that the FR1 is a unique cartridge and well worth finding - that said I can't bring myself round to buying a 30 year second hand cartridge for the price of a new MC

Indeed, although it didn't stop me once from buying a NOS/NIB original Ortofon SPU-G/T, from 1958 (for £800), which was in mint condition, played beautifully, and sounded glorious

Marco.

[Patrick Dixon]

Ortofon MC20 Super (the first one)
Supex SDX-1100B
Denon DL-103M
Asaka

Seemed the best balanced to me. The drums and cymbals have to sound right, and I need to be able to follow the bass line. I thought these made a decent job of separating the various elements too.

[Marco]

Similar tastes to me, Patrick, although you were only supposed to name your favourite 3

Interestingly, I preferred the second Ortofon - sounded 'punchier'.

Marco.

[337alant]

Denon 103 EPS46STQD shibata
I could hear the bass line clearly and it had weight, initial symbol sounded natural, just sounded musical got me foot tapping

Alan

[Patrick Dixon]

Similar tastes to me, Patrick, although you were only supposed to name your favourite 3

Yeah but we heard the whole track with the Asaka, and it made a decent fist of it so it was hard to leave out.

I had a Troika once, which I enjoyed.

[Marco]

I also liked the Asaka, but it was on completely the wrong arm. For me, there are only two arms on which to mount a Linn cartridge: Linn's own (and with an Asaka I'd want an Ittok), or a Naim Aro.

I've owned/heard most of Linn's 'classic' cartridges, and enjoyed them all, particularly the Karma and Arkiv (the Trak was rather fun, too). Apparently the earlier ones were Supex-based, which would explain a lot in terms of their sound, although I'm unsure of that. Perhaps Dave, or someone else 'in the know' could confirm or deny?

Therefore, although I enjoyed the Asaka, I knew it was at a distinct disadvantage, in comparison with the other cartridges demonstrated, which would've been happier in that Jap detachable-headshell arm, and so my choices reflected that

Marco.