... I cried ... no BS ... I cried!

As much as Man Law prohibits me from writing this ... HOLY SH*T BATMAN!!!

My system is:
- Rega P2 SE (glass platter and previously Super Bias)
- Modified Rotel Phono Pre w/LME49710 op-amps
- Luminous Audio Axiom Passive Preamp
- Dynaco ST-70 w/tubes4hifi Driver and JJ KT77's
- Klipsch RF-7's

I recently purchased a Denon DL-103, Shure Force Gauge and Hi-Fi News Test LP. The stereo shop set-up my Super Bias and it failed the bias test on the test LP. After spending 45 minutes mounting and aligning the DL-103 (I'm anal retentive!), I passed ALL Hi-Fi News test tracks except the 300Hz +18dB Bias Torture Test.

First LP in was Norah Jones. Come Away With Me came on and I got teary eyed.

I'll not be accomplishing anything this evening for the record.

If any of you have not jumped on the MC bandwagon ... DO IT!!!

Sorry to be overflowing with such jubiliance, but I had to share this experience with those I know would appreciate my current state of nirvana. I have never heard music out of my system where I can close my eyes and visualize the artists in my living room. I am one happy camper!

:music:

MCs certainly can sound wonderful, and the Denon 103 is a true classic. :thmbsp: It never ceases to amaze me how many people seem perfectly content listening to the highly overated Shure 97XE, while often being blissfully unaware of just how much better a really good cartridge (either MM, or especially MC) can sound. :sigh:

Out of curiosisty: What were you using previously for your MM Cart?

... I cried ... no BS ... I cried!

As much as Man Law prohibits me from writing this ... HOLY SH*T BATMAN!!!

My system is:
- Rega P2 SE (glass platter and previously Super Bias)
- Modified Rotel Phono Pre w/LME49710 op-amps
- Luminous Audio Axiom Passive Preamp
- Dynaco ST-70 w/tubes4hifi Driver and JJ KT77's
- Klipsch RF-7's

I recently purchased a Denon DL-103, Shure Force Gauge and Hi-Fi News Test LP. The stereo shop set-up my Super Bias and it failed the bias test on the test LP. After spending 45 minutes mounting and aligning the DL-103 (I'm anal retentive!), I passed ALL Hi-Fi News test tracks except the 300Hz +18dB Bias Torture Test.

First LP in was Norah Jones. Come Away With Me came on and I got teary eyed.

I'll not be accomplishing anything this evening for the record.

If any of you have not jumped on the MC bandwagon ... DO IT!!!

Sorry to be overflowing with such jubiliance, but I had to share this experience with those I know would appreciate my current state of nirvana. I have never heard music out of my system where I can close my eyes and visualize the artists in my living room. I am one happy camper!

:music:

Super Bias?

I had essentially the same experience (except no tears). I upgraded to a Denon DP-62L with a new DL-301 mk2 and the results were stunning. Definitely an upgrade over my Shure M91ed & M97xe cartridges.

Yes, my MM was the Super Bias. Dull and lifeless compared to the DL-103! I listened to vinyl until just about midnight. Sarah's Surfacing had a "Meadowbrook-esque" sound to it. FINALLY ... "live" music sound from the home stereo!

I feel the same way. I bought a AT 440MLA in March and used it until a couple of months ago. I got a Sumiko BPS EVOIII and I was also shocked how much better it sounded on my VPI Scout.

i recently suggested an mc cart for an unsatisfied thorens user here and was totally ingnored. there is no comparision in my opinion. mc's bring the music alive!

I've heard very good things about the Denon 103R on these boards. I am very happy with my AT OC9. A definite step up from MM's.

i recently suggested an mc cart for an unsatisfied thorens user here and was totally ingnored. there is no comparision in my opinion. mc's bring the music alive!

Why?

Denon DL160 with Bellari V129 is a great combo! Really makes my Maggies sing!
Jim

Planar 2 and a DL-103 works well for me too.

For years I owned a Denon DP-62L and replaced my Stanton 981HZS pro calibrated MM with a slightly used Sumiko Blue Point high-output MC my brother had aquired at the owner of the audio salon he was employed at...first album I played was Dire Straits: Brothers In Arms and I sat there gobsmacked; I could not believe just how live this LP sounded, as if the musicians were right there in my listening room.

And I too cried...

Unfortunantly, I no longer own the DP-62L (long, sad story), and I had wore out that Blue Point to the point I no longer feel safe using it on my precious LPs with my dad's mint '79 Technics SL-1700MK2 I own now, so I'm back to using my MM for the time being (the Stanton's a fine MM and was their TOTL model back in the early '80s when I bought it new).

When my finances allow, I want to replace the old Blue Point with a brand new Blue Point No.2 or a Blue Point Special...I agree with everyone else's assessment on how life-like a MC cartridge can sound over a MM, even a great MM like my long-discontinued 981HZS. Even with the used Blue Point it was amazing!:thmbsp:

HI,
And can you imagine what a really high end MC will do? I couldn't......until I owned one.

The wonders never cease. :banana:

Sparky

Why?

On a Moving Magnet (MM) Cartridge, the stylus / cantilever is connected to the magnet and physically moves the magnet generating a signal in the coil. The coil is fixed to the body of the cartridge and does not move. (This arrangement allows you to change out the stylus / cantilever.)

For a Moving Coil (MC) Cartridge, the cantilever / stylus moves the coil next to the magnet generating signal in the coil. The magnet is fixed to the body of the cartridge. (In this case the stylus / cantilever is physically attached to the coil which is attached to the wires that lead to the connection pins on the back, so the stylus cannot be removed and replaced.)

The theory is that the coil is much lower in a mass than the magnet, so the whole MC moving assembly can move more quickly and follow the grooves more accurately - especially for the high frequencies.

On a MM cartridge, the magnet is moving and the mass of the magnet slows the response of the moving assembly.

...When my finances allow, I want to replace the old Blue Point with a brand new Blue Point No.2 or a Blue Point Special...:thmbsp:

In case you don't already know, you can trade in your old MC cartridge to get a substantual discount on a new one, either the same model or a better one, even if the old one is trashed. MC manufactures do this because the stylus cannot be replaced on MC cartridges. Check with your dealer about this.