MM carts
- Thread starter bonzo75
- Start date
Hi Ked,
I had a phase a few years ago when I experimented quite a bit with MM cartridges, both vintage and modern ones. Liked what they did back then but finally decided that I much more prefer the way MCs sing and sold off all but one.
Still have an old Dual 721 with an Ortofon 2M Black in a secondary system. Out of all the MMs I had here over time for me that was by far the one I liked most, that's why I kept it. If you want I can bring the Dual into the main system and you can have a listen to it when you come over next weekend.
I had a phase a few years ago when I experimented quite a bit with MM cartridges, both vintage and modern ones. Liked what they did back then but finally decided that I much more prefer the way MCs sing and sold off all but one.
Still have an old Dual 721 with an Ortofon 2M Black in a secondary system. Out of all the MMs I had here over time for me that was by far the one I liked most, that's why I kept it. If you want I can bring the Dual into the main system and you can have a listen to it when you come over next weekend.
So What are your favorite MM carts you would recommend one to check out. Shane had recommended a technics one
There are quite a few vintage MM cartridges I would recommend someone to check out on eBay or HiFiDo or Japan Yahoo....
- Empire 4000D/III Gold
- Signet TK-7SU
- Signet MR5.0Lc
- Signet TK-7LCa
- Shure V15/Type III
- Acutex LPM420-STR
- Garrott Brothers P77/SAS
- Victor X-1IIE MM Cartridge
- Victor Z1/SAS
Most of these cartridges are now scarce (in good condition) and will require patience, knowledge and luck to find.....
As a 'small-risk' recommendation to 'test' the validity of my claims, I generally recommend buying either a used (even without stylus)
- Shure V15/III
- Victor Z1
And ordering a new Jico Neo-SAS stylus directly from Jico.
In this way, one can have a new cutting-edge micro-line stylus on sapphire cantilever implanted in a generator/coil engine designed and fabricated in the 'Golden Age' of analogue for $400-$600 complete.....
I have listened to some of the experts on Audiogon (including Halcro) and purchased several MM carts:
-Signet TK-7SU
-Signet TL-7EA
-Shure V15/Type III with JICO SAS
-P77 SAS (Not Garrot unfortunately)
I've loved all of the carts but my current favorite is the Signet TK-7SU. It is easily as good as my Dynavector XV-1 if not better.
-Signet TK-7SU
-Signet TL-7EA
-Shure V15/Type III with JICO SAS
-P77 SAS (Not Garrot unfortunately)
I've loved all of the carts but my current favorite is the Signet TK-7SU. It is easily as good as my Dynavector XV-1 if not better.
From what I've observed in other forums the discussion about MM vs. MC can for some reason become quite emotional. It'll be interesting to see where this thread goes...
It might be worth mentioning though that Shure has a quite distinctive house sound that most people either love or hate, with not much middle ground in between. For me personally it was not something I wanted to live with.As a 'small-risk' recommendation to 'test' the validity of my claims, I generally recommend buying either a used (even without stylus)
These are both plentiful and 'cheap'....
- Shure V15/III
- Victor Z1
And ordering a new Jico Neo-SAS stylus directly from Jico.
In this way, one can have a new cutting-edge micro-line stylus on sapphire cantilever implanted in a generator/coil engine designed and fabricated in the 'Golden Age' of analogue for $400-$600 complete.....
It's not just Shure....
The same can be said about most cartridge manufacturers.....Lyra would be one in particular.
Many say the same about SPUs and Koetsus.
Perhaps the largest manufacturer in the world, Audio Technica, has a distinctive aural 'finger-print' defining its cartridges across hundred of models over 60 years.
'Choice' is the operative word.
From what I've observed in other forums the discussion about MM vs. MC can for some reason become quite emotional. It'll be interesting to see where this thread goes...
As long as someone doesn't talk about what cables to use with MM carts we should be ok......
Bonzo,
I want to stress that I believe that every audiophile needs to find a Signet TK-7 series and try it out. I've had several friends to the listening room and all are quite amazed by the sound of my system with the TK-7SU. And...I paid $350 for it on eBay. $350!!!!
alrighty then..........i do so prefer MC carts, especially as one ascends the scale in the ortofon line. i had a fave and still wouldn't mind one-Kontrapunkt b which has a ruby cantilever. for about double now as new prices are higher-Cadenza Black with boron (my favorite cantilever material) cantilever.
for now i will make do with my FR1 mkIII and later my new OC9II.
i would like to see a good guide for MMs regarding capacitance and how to arrive at the right one for a given cart. i still have and use a grace F9e, a shure V15Vxmr (NOT my favorite sound which is why i think capacitance could be the problem though many have been happy with an SAS stylus), an AT150 and a 170 stylus, plus a great sounding stanton 881s with a nos stylus that hasn't been mounted.
it is unlikely that i can wear out a stylus.
for now i will make do with my FR1 mkIII and later my new OC9II.
i would like to see a good guide for MMs regarding capacitance and how to arrive at the right one for a given cart. i still have and use a grace F9e, a shure V15Vxmr (NOT my favorite sound which is why i think capacitance could be the problem though many have been happy with an SAS stylus), an AT150 and a 170 stylus, plus a great sounding stanton 881s with a nos stylus that hasn't been mounted.
it is unlikely that i can wear out a stylus.
The next time your up in Birmingham Ked bring your SPU with you and we can compare against my Goldring 1040 I’ve also got a Denon 103 MC
I've been curious about MM. Last one I owned was Grado back 30 years ago...
Some MM are getting pricey...any one heard the new Grado Epoch?
http://www.gradolabs.com/cartridges/epoch-cartridge
Some MM are getting pricey...any one heard the new Grado Epoch?
http://www.gradolabs.com/cartridges/epoch-cartridge
Hey HalcroThere are quite a few vintage MM cartridges I would recommend someone to check out on eBay or HiFiDo or Japan Yahoo....
All of these will give sound quality as fine as (or better IMO) than many of the uber-priced LOMC cartridges available today.
- Empire 4000D/III Gold
- Signet TK-7SU
- Signet MR5.0Lc
- Signet TK-7LCa
- Shure V15/Type III
- Acutex LPM420-STR
- Garrott Brothers P77/SAS
- Victor X-1IIE MM Cartridge
- Victor Z1/SAS
Most of these cartridges are now scarce (in good condition) and will require patience, knowledge and luck to find.....
As a 'small-risk' recommendation to 'test' the validity of my claims, I generally recommend buying either a used (even without stylus)
These are both plentiful and 'cheap'....
- Shure V15/III
- Victor Z1
And ordering a new Jico Neo-SAS stylus directly from Jico.
In this way, one can have a new cutting-edge micro-line stylus on sapphire cantilever implanted in a generator/coil engine designed and fabricated in the 'Golden Age' of analogue for $400-$600 complete.....
i think we've spoken on another forum.
You are one of the more honest and less excitable contributors, so i thought i might post you here.
After long-last i got a VGC JVC QL10 with a ua 7045 arm just before coviD which i sent to my tech Wilkinsons in Lancashire. i eventually got it back in the last 2 months and am dicing on whether to get a new MM cartridge such as: Audio Note IO3; Garrott, or Cartridgeman, or getting a Vintage as per your list and a Jico Stylus.
A lot of people squawk about the Jico and LP gear styli - perhaps out of principle - what are your experiences with them?
i find re-tipping MC's a pain and love the idea of replacement styli
Hi Loheswaran,
Thanks for the kind words....
Congrats on obtaining the Victor QL-10.....
You may know that I'm a keen 'Fanboy' of all things Victor and have the TT-101 and TT-81 myself.
Hopefully you have replaced the standard rubber mat with a fine leather, deerskin, calfskin or pigskin.
The 'unobtanium' Victor Pigskin is superb
My safest and most economical recommendation for anyone wishing to sample what great MMs from the 'Golden Age of Analogue' can bring....is to find a 'used' Victor Z1 body ($50 without a stylus)
Used victor z1 phono cartridge for Sale | HifiShark.com
Used Victor Z1 Phono Cartridge for sale on 400+ second hand hifi sites & shops. Use Hifi Shark to monitor pricing and global availability
DT-Z1S SAS/S – JICO
www.jico-stylus.com
Good luck.....
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