Top Drawer MM

Loheswaran

Well-Known Member
Dec 19, 2014
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I know there is a thread about MM's over on Audiogon, but it does ramble quite a lot. HAs anyone here ever used and kept one of the more expensive MM's in their systems like the Clearaudio ones, or those from Soundsmith or Cartridgeman.
I like the idea of a replaceable stylus, and also have found - since luckily acquiring a Pickering XSV 4000 - not sure where in the pantheon it stands - sound very very good in my system - it does certain things that really impressed me - bass, tracking, ignorance or poor surface quality on second hand records.
I am gonna keep my good MC's as well but I think it will be nice to use technology that was seen as the best thing at the height of vinyl sales in the 70's.
My other option is to explore a strain guage which after the initial outlay is very economical (I like the idea of replaceable styli)
 

astrotoy

VIP/Donor
May 24, 2010
1,547
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SF Bay Area
I recently got a Soundsmith Zephyr Mk/II which is a moving iron. Very happy with it. Matches my VPI Classic 3 and 3D Arm very well. Replacing my Lyra Skala.

Larry
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
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Not Top Drawer, but decent and affordable. The Grado The Reference 1. I'm quite sure it'll be my next cartridge.
 

Loheswaran

Well-Known Member
Dec 19, 2014
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99
258
Hi Johnny and Astrotoy
Thanks for the suggestions. I understand that Moving Iron is a bit different to MM but has the same output - which is kinda what I was looking for. Likewise the Cartridgeman uses a Grado as the base for his cartridges.
I only started taking MM's seriously as I inherited a Pickering XSV 4000 with a Townshend Rock Elite and was blown away by the way it presented its sound. A bit of research revealed that in the 70's they were 'de rigeur' for that reason I am curious about giving them a go.
I am of the vew that the higher output may well bring significant benefits.
thanks - and please keep the suggestions coming
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
8,570
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Calgary, AB
Hi Johnny and Astrotoy
Thanks for the suggestions. I understand that Moving Iron is a bit different to MM but has the same output - which is kinda what I was looking for. Likewise the Cartridgeman uses a Grado as the base for his cartridges.
I only started taking MM's seriously as I inherited a Pickering XSV 4000 with a Townshend Rock Elite and was blown away by the way it presented its sound. A bit of research revealed that in the 70's they were 'de rigeur' for that reason I am curious about giving them a go.
I am of the vew that the higher output may well bring significant benefits.
thanks - and please keep the suggestions coming

My dealer recommended this for the phono input of my Marantz Pearl as well.
 

awsmone

Well-Known Member
Apr 6, 2014
1,616
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Canberra Australia
I have had a ortofon 2M black for about 6 months

I have been very happy with it

Colourful, dynamic, musical, quiet in the groove

But you do need to load it correctly!

Enjoy
 

Bruce B

WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
Apr 25, 2010
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Snohomish, WA
www.pugetsoundstudios.com
Could someone actually list a few of the "top drawer" MM carts. I went to the Needle Dr. website and they didn't have a way to view just MM carts.



Edit: Went to the Elusive Disc site and saw some Grado, Clearaudio and Goldring carts.

What's up with the Grado carts output at 0.5mV?
 
Last edited:

XV-1

Well-Known Member
May 24, 2010
3,591
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Sydney
Unfortunately imo there may not be any top shelf MM's manufactured these days with exception of maybe the Soumdsmith?

I have found that only the Technics EPC 1000mk4 and Audio Technica AT25 can stay in my system long term. They are superb sounding cartridges period.
 

daytona600

Well-Known Member
Sep 9, 2012
722
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scotland
London Decca
 

audioarcher

Well-Known Member
May 6, 2012
1,396
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Seattle area
The Audio Technica AT150 ANV is very good. It is a limited edition and is out of production but can still be found online. I enjoyed it the last couple years.

My favorite so far is my Technics EPC 205mkII L, that I've had for a few months now. Long out of production but you can find bodies on Ebay for around $150 and then buy a new Jico SAS stylus ($130) for it and have a very,very good cart for a reasonable price. The L version is low ouput at around 2 mv.
 

Loop4fun

Member Sponsor
Feb 19, 2012
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I'm using a Linn Adikt on my LP12. It's really a very good cartridge.
 

es347

VIP/Donor & WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
1,577
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Midwest fly over state..
Clearaudio Maestro Ebony Mk2
 

theophile

Well-Known Member
Stanton LZS 980/981. Stanton HZS 980/981. Pickering XLS 7500.
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
8,570
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Calgary, AB
I had to back off (budget) on the Grado The Reference 1 cartridge as I picked up a Pioneer RT-909 Reel-to-Reel as well. I stepped down to the Grado Reference Sonata for now. My system should be up and running next weekend, so I'll let you know what I think of it.
 

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