I have a somewhat different answer than Stan. Since the stylus must track minute groove modulations, the lower the mass of the moving part of the cartridge system the more likely it is to preserve the fine detail in the recording. The less turns in the coil of a MC cartridge, or the less iron in a MM will lower that moving mass, but also lessens the output of the cartridge.
However the higher the output of the cartridge, the more likely it is to have an optimal signal to noise ratio with a given phono preamp. Assuming that it is not overloading the phono preamp.
Preference for the later is a completely acceptable choice and I would take issue with one type of cartridge being thought superior to the other. In fact Raul Iruguias, who has many fine turntables and a collection of tonearms and cartridges to rival any around, is quite taken with certain vintage MM cartridges. So I would say that, as will all things audio, this comes down to a matter of personal taste and system matching.
However the higher the output of the cartridge, the more likely it is to have an optimal signal to noise ratio with a given phono preamp. Assuming that it is not overloading the phono preamp.
Preference for the later is a completely acceptable choice and I would take issue with one type of cartridge being thought superior to the other. In fact Raul Iruguias, who has many fine turntables and a collection of tonearms and cartridges to rival any around, is quite taken with certain vintage MM cartridges. So I would say that, as will all things audio, this comes down to a matter of personal taste and system matching.