Cartridge Time

[rollo]

   looking for a MM cart. for a $1000 or under for my Linn with Ittock arm used with Loesch MM phono stage. looking at Grado Sonata, Boboli mk3, Clearaudio, Goldring, Ortofon.
  We have always used a MC. either a Benz wood body [ .8mv] or Linn Arkiv [.15mv] The Loesch phonostage has a gain of 54db.
  I'm leaning towards the Grado but since this is my first MM suggestions would be appreciated.


charles

[BobM]

Think HOMC also. Similar forgivability in setup (no VTA on the Linn) but more detail, life, air. Grado's are definitely warmer with still great detail, especially the Sonata at that price point, but there could be the dreaded hum issue with them.

[tmazz]

Grado's are definitely warmer with still great detail, especially the Sonata at that price point, but there could be the dreaded hum issue with them.

Been there, done that. Had a Grado Sonata in my VPI for about 2 days. Loved the sound but could not deal with the hum. Picked up the table and moved it about 4 feet from the wall and it was dead silent, bit put it back down on the rack and it hummed like hell.  Figured it was the electric lines in the wall, but later wondered if it was the fact that it was right next to the transformer in my preamp. (The SP-9 has a toroidal transformer so I'm not sure if it was the culprit or not.) But either way, as good as the cartridge sounded the hum was a deal breaker. Luckily I bought it from a reputable dealer (AudioVisions) who took the Grado back and hooked me up with a Sumiko BPS which is dead quiet.  Over the years I had several other Grados in various TTs sitting in that same spot and none of them ever hummed, I'm not sure why this one was so sensitive. The bottom line is that the Grados are really nice sounding cartridges, but I would try to buy it from a dealer that would offer you some kind of return privileges if it ends up being a hummer.

[richidoo]

Get a AudioTechnica 150MLX for $325. It's AT's top MM cart. It is loaded with engineering and quality materials, but built by a Jap robot. List is $800, I got mine used for $150. Spend the leftover $700 on records. It sounds so fat dense and balanced top to bottom with Vista preamp. Cymbals sizzle, great deep and wide space, I don't know if it has air, Vista filters that out with opamp feedback but I don't care, I am not buying audiophile pressings just to hear air that I can get off any CD. I'm done with air anyway. Call me Gilles.

I chose it based on this review and having listened with satisfaction to mid-fi vinyl my whole life. I was very pleasantly surprised to hear how great it sounds.
http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/resource_library/files/3fb05aa3e1096e5a/at150mlx_review.pdf

Pleasure of vinyl without the pain of perfectionism. 

[tmazz]

List is $800, I got mine used for $150. Spend the leftover $700 on records.

Alright Rich! Now your talking my language. 

[topround]

Maybe a soundsmith moving iron cart?

[richidoo]

Haha!!  Especially if you have a crack house nearby.  

Forgot to mention lpgear.com sells the AT new for 325, that's where the leftover ~700 comes from.

[eleazar]

 I have a older Goldring 1012GX if you would like to try it ??

[tmazz]

Haha!!  Especially if you have a crack house nearby.  

Yeah, if you have a crack house near by you may only get to spend $500 on records. You'll need to spend the other $200 on an old pick-up truck to get them all home.  

(Hey watch it, I resemble that remark.... )

[etcarroll]

Charles -

Is there any particular reason(s) that drives you to MM vs. MC?

Gene

[rollo]

  Thanks for the suggestions guys. High output MCs seem to be defeating the purpose of the MC . According to Benz anyway. they say the higher output rises the top. For rock a winner but for Classical and Jazz they recco the low output. Body is lost as well.
The reason for the MM or Moving iron is that is what my phonostage was designed for. Using a step up works well but the really good ones are expensive. That along with a fine MC is cost prohibitive at the moment. The main reason is the fullness and soul of the MM. Weight and body goes along way for me. So the top is not as detailed which may be a good thing. Now the hum thingie could be a issue so either Music Direct or the Needle Doctor will be used so it can be returned.
  I was thinking about the Soundsmith but the review said the presentation was forward and that is not my thing. Do not like forward in my face. Same for the 150MLX. Rich correct me if misinformed.  A trip to Soundsmith is planned to find out for myself.
  Eleazer that's real nice of you. How do we do that ?


charles

[richidoo]

150mlx is not forward, if by that you mean treble too loud. It has good tonal balance top to bottom. But it is not back row rolled off either. 

[rollo]

150mlx is not forward, if by that you mean treble too loud. It has good tonal balance top to bottom. But it is not back row rolled off either. 

  Thanks what I meant by forward is the soundstage is set in front of the speaker plane.


BTW JPS going out today.

charles

[richidoo]

  Thanks what I meant by forward is the soundstage is set in front of the speaker plane.

Oh I see what you mean. Could be a little forward, I don't know, I like that presentation, but not too much. 

[allenzachary]

I've always had great success with high output MC's.  Of course the ones I liked best are from companies that no longer offer phone cartridges.  I've used Adcom Cross Coil series and a lovely model from Audioquest (whose model number escapes me). 

I listen to rock and pop, as well as jazz and classical on this:

Kenwood base (better than you think)
Sumiko FT3 arm
AI Modulus 2D pre
B&K Amp (weak point)
B&W 802 f special.  (pre matrix)

Your equipment, I'm sure, is much better, which is why I cringe at the MM cartridge.  I've never heard an MM that I thought sounded as good as even my moderately priced MC's. (Although that, in no way, precludes the existence of such a beast.)