Please recommend my first MC cart.

Luis.correia

Luis.correia

Well-Known Member
Hi guys. Since getting back to viny 3 years ago, I have always been using MM carts. From the AT-120eb, Ortofon 2M Red, Nagaoka MP-110, Shure SC35C and M35X. I have been happy with them especially the 2M red that I like a lot and the Nagaoka.

Having acquired the Schiit Mani recently, I now have, for ther first time, the opportunity to get my first MC cart.

What MC cart do you guys recommend for a first time in the Moving Coils?

My budget us around 200$.

Will an "entry level" MC cart will sound better than a MM (the 2M red for example)?

Is there a distinctive sound or characteristic of MC carts compared to MM carts?

Thanks in advance.
 
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Hello,

Without knowing the brand, model of the tonearm, phono preamp o integrated amplifier impossible to recommend intelligently compatible cartridge.
 
I don't know of any new MC carts that can be had for $200--so you are kind of SOL. The used market is a possibility, but then you have to worry about hours of use and cost of re-tipping (which again is over $200 in itself).
 
Not much available in that price range apart from the Denon DL103. It's low compliance though so dependent on your tonearm as far as suitability goes
 
Maybe Denon DL110 Denon DL 160 in my country there are around that spending..... in the market of used you can hope to have more choice.
 
The arm you use with the better cartridges, can hurt or help the performance. IMO a good MC cartridge will give you finer detail and seperation of instruments on a sound stage that presents more of the room that it was recorded in. This only going to be apparent on well recorded pieces, and not the Beatles! (boy am I going to catch hell for this)
A good friend of mine just told me that he made $6500 selling Beatles used ticket stubs and posters and other stuff, go figure???
 
Ok when asking for recommendations one needs to explain what equipment they are using and trying to incorporate it in.

I don't understand the adversary today not to list ones system in their signature so others can see what you have and are working with. Far far far to often the replies are asking more question of the OP just to get to what the original question is from the OP to make an educated comment.

From what I know so far, sell some things you don't need and save more money for a MC cartridge. Think of a starting price of $400 as your goal.
 
to trivial questions they would banal answers
ass.gif
 
Schiit Mani

Gain 1 = L, Gain 2 = L (Decca Mode)
Gain: 30dB
THD: <0.005%, A-weighted, at 1V RMS
SNR: >90dB, A-weighted, inputs shorted
Crosstalk: -75dB, 20-20kHz
Sensitivity: 9mV for 300mV output
Overload Margin: >20dB

Gain 1 = L, Gain 2 = H (Standard MM Mode)
Gain: 42dB
THD: <0.008%, A-weighted, at 1V RMS
SNR: >82dB, A-weighted, inputs shorted
Crosstalk: -75dB, 20-20kHz
Sensitivity: 2.3mV for 300mV output
Overload Margin: >20dB

Gain 1 = H, Gain 2 = L (Low Output MM/High Output MC Mode)
Gain: 48dB
THD: <0.01%, A-weighted, at 1V RMS
SNR: >80dB, A-weighted, inputs shorted
Crosstalk: -75dB, 20-20kHz
Sensitivity: 1.3mV for 300mV output
Overload Margin: >20dB

Gain 1 = H, Gain 2 = H (MC Mode)
Gain: 59dB
THD: <0.03%, A-weighted, at 1V RMS
SNR: >70dB, A-weighted, inputs shorted
Crosstalk: -75dB, 20-20kHz
Sensitivity: 0.3mV for 300mV output
Overload Margin: >20dB

Input Impedance: Selectable 47 ohms (typical for MC cartridges) or 47k ohms (typical for MM cartridges)
RIAA Accuracy: +/- 0.2dB, 20-20kHz
Output Impedance: 75 ohms
Topology: Fully passive RIAA network with ADA4897 and AD8066 gain stages, thin-film resistors, and film capacitors throughout
Power Supply: “wall wart” style 16VAC transformer, regulated +/- 5V rails
Power Consumption: 4W
Size: 5 x 3.5 x 1.25”
Weight: 1 lb
 
There aren't many choices there for under the $200 price range, andthe AT ATF3III and Denon 103 are the only real choices for true LOMC cartridges. But the Denon likes a high mass arm, and not everyone appreciates the conical stylus.

The best bang for the buck moving coil would probably be a Denon 301 MK II. It's not a sub $200 cartridge though. Here is one of the better discounted prices. There is another seller called New United, but there are a lot of horror stories about folks less than happy with their purchases from them. However 2Juki is a known and well respected seller.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Denon-DL-30...645797?hash=item51e6082a65:g:wF0AAOSw5cNYLSbm

Regards
Mister Pig
 
4-2-7 said:
I don't understand the adversary today not to list ones system in their signature so others can see what you have and are working with. Far far far to often the replies are asking more question of the OP just to get to what the original question is from the OP to make an educated comment.
Click to expand...

I suspect I'm not the only one who would like to do this. Unfortunately the character limit is way too short to fit the list of components in. My only gripe about my favourite forum :)
 
mjw21a said:
I suspect I'm not the only one who would like to do this. Unfortunately the character limit is way too short to fit the list of components in. My only gripe about my favourite forum :)
Click to expand...
Yeah but you have a link to go look at what you have.
 
It would be enough to ask:

"Guys try a cartridge 200 $
my arm is brand XXXX
my phono preamp or integrated amp is brand ZZZZZ

What do you recommend? "

...... It's all so terribly easy
ass.gif
 
Mister Pig said:
There aren't many choices there for under the $200 price range, andthe AT ATF3III and Denon 103 are the only real choices for true LOMC cartridges. But the Denon likes a high mass arm, and not everyone appreciates the conical stylus.

The best bang for the buck moving coil would probably be a Denon 301 MK II. It's not a sub $200 cartridge though. Here is one of the better discounted prices. There is another seller called New United, but there are a lot of horror stories about folks less than happy with their purchases from them. However 2Juki is a known and well respected seller.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Denon-DL-30...645797?hash=item51e6082a65:g:wF0AAOSw5cNYLSbm

Regards
Mister Pig
Click to expand...

I second Mr. Pig's recommendation of the Denon DL-301mkII. I have purchased two of these from New Audio United without issue (YMMV). I have heard of some negative buying experiences from that particular vendor but I have had nothing but success dealing with them (no affiliation). I am using mine on a Technics SL-1200M3D (no fluid damper, stock wires).

Cheers,
David
 
DL 160 would be the best though little more expensive.

I had them both but then I preferred to keep with me the DL 160 being more refined and sell the DL 110.

I think the phono Pioneer 9500 likes more willingly a high-output MC that a low-output MC but to be sure I should compare the user manual.
 
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