Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted March 11, 2014 Volunteer Posted March 11, 2014 I'm currently using a Grado Reference Platinum MM cart on my Yamaha GT700 turntable but I've been wondering if I should delve into the world of MC carts. My preamp has a high gain setting as well as switches for adjusting resistance and capacitance. Can someone please explain what those switches do and how I would use them? Also, what would be a good 'entry level' cart that won't cost the world but might give me a taste of what MC can do? thanks
WhoRu? Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 I was very happy with my Benz Micro ACE, in fact if it wasn't for upgraditis I would happily live with it. What is your budget?
Guest Hensa Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 Agree that a budget would help. The Benz Ace is excellent but not cheap at around $800 new. If you can snag one of Speakerbits Ortofon MC10 Supremes for around $200, this is a perfect way to test out MC on a budget. He sells on Ebay though I notice the price has jumped a bit but he does take offers. The switches to adjust capacitance and resistance allow you to tailor the preamp to match better with different cartridges. For MC carts, different carts respond differently to different impedance settings depending on their internal impedance. The manuafacturer usually recommends a minimum impedance at which the cartridge matches well. For MM cartridges, the norm is 47k Impedance but the capacitance switches come into play as MMs are sensitive to capacitance adjustments.
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted March 11, 2014 Author Volunteer Posted March 11, 2014 Unsure about budget, I guess I wouldn't go above $300 ish (happy to consider used as well)
strony Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) Denon's are good value: DL 301, 103 etc. Audio technica at 33 ev is a nice cart, - probably about $600 these days. But seriously - why not just get a 2 M Black and live happily ever after? Once you delve into MC carts, pretty soon you start thinking 5k on a cart "isn't that bad...". And then you need the SUT or decent phono: the pit is bottomless... Edited March 11, 2014 by DrunkenRabbit
Guest Hensa Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 Unsure about budget, I guess I wouldn't go above $300 ish (happy to consider used as well) Speakerbits used to list the MC10 Supreme at $225 but I see he's upped that to $275 with 'Make Offer' available. A very nice cart at the price. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ortofon-MC-10-Supreme-cartridge-Brand-new-/221391460735?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item338bf5997f&_uhb=1 Second hand is always a bit tricky as you can never be too sure how many hours and on what quality vinyl the stylus has seen action. I'd definitely keep an eye out for a Benz Ace but they don't turn up too often - I was lucky enough to score a near mint example on your budget limit from our Classifieds. The Denon DL-103 and 103R have many supporters if your phono stage has enough gain (very low output MC). Audio Technica's AT-33EV is over budget new but might be found second hand and this is a very detailed cartridge, if that's your thing, compared to the Ortofon which I found to be more mellow but perhaps better rounded. Pity it's so hard to audition before a $200 to $300 purchase!
andyr Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 Unsure about budget, I guess I wouldn't go above $300 ish (happy to consider used as well) Mmmm, Sir Z. I would be surprised if a $300 MC would sound better than your Grado Reference Platinum. If you think it's not sounding good ... have you tried loading it down from 47K? (Does your phono stage allow this ... say 33K-38K?) Regards, Andy
blackangus Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 I have to say I have been much happier with my two denon moving coil carts - 301 mk II and 103r with Duc's wood body - than any of my moving magnet carts Both of them, as soon as they went on, I just kind of could hear everything I wanted, without some of the limitations and undesirable (for me) characteristics of MM. BUT the aforementioned black is great, I just prefer the denon sound I think. Cymbals are one killer for me, my MCs do them right to my ears Regarding purchasing second hand, buy locally and take a loupe? I had the same Grado as you before the 301 mk II went on, it was not a subtle difference. Grado is nice but I don't think they do everything as well as they might.
3G_ Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 Get a broken DL103R for $100 or so, send it to sound smith for the $350 upgrade, add an aluminium body(before sending it off) and be happy
ophool Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 If your arm is not too heavy (medium mass) the DL-301 II can be had new for around your budget. I ran one for several years and was very happy with it, load it around 200 Ohms. I am known to like Denon carts though
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted March 11, 2014 Author Volunteer Posted March 11, 2014 Mmmm, Sir Z. I would be surprised if a $300 MC would sound better than your Grado Reference Platinum. If you think it's not sounding good ... have you tried loading it down from 47K? (Does your phono stage allow this ... say 33K-38K?) Regards, Andy Hi Andy, The Grado sounds great - no issues there, it's just that bloody curiosity that ends up killing the wallet! I'll have a look at lowering the load, what difference would you expect that to make to the sound (and why does it make a difference?) cheers Trevor
andyr Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 Hi Andy, The Grado sounds great - no issues there, it's just that bloody curiosity that ends up killing the wallet! I'll have a look at lowering the load, what difference would you expect that to make to the sound (and why does it make a difference?) cheers Trevor Well that's good to know, Trevor (that the Grado Platinum is sounding great ) - yes, curiosity may well have killed the cat in bygone times but it sure can get you into all sorts of trouble, nowadays! Lowering the load - I'd better not tell you what change it will make ... because various measurement/DBT-favouring members here will say that you were pre-conditioned by what I told you to expect (Newman, are you listening! ). But I've read several loading recommendations on the Net between 33K and 38K - so when I last had my Grado RR1 playing, I used a 38K load. Re. what you could spend your hard-earned on, just to scratch that itch ... have a word to djb; he recently bought (I think) a D30X which he says is much more refined than his D103. Good luck. Andy
pulinap Posted March 12, 2014 Posted March 12, 2014 (edited) I have a spare Aluminium bodied Denon 103r with Soundsmith re-tip. I can lend you that if you promise to return it back safely...... Edited March 12, 2014 by pulinap 1
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted March 12, 2014 Author Volunteer Posted March 12, 2014 I have a spare Aluminium boded Denon 103r with Soundsmith re-tip. I can lend you that if you promise to return it back safely...... That's incredibly generous, thank you ! I'd love to take you up on the offer
pulinap Posted March 12, 2014 Posted March 12, 2014 That's incredibly generous, thank you ! I'd love to take you up on the offer Send me a PM .......
Newman Posted March 12, 2014 Posted March 12, 2014 It is often reported that in your price range there are better sounding MM carts to be had than MC. But still, why not have a play?
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