2. analog
  3. 1110319265

MM vs. MC

If I was looking at a Grado Reference Platinum cartridge, to be played on a VPI Scout & JMW9 tonearm with a Musical fidelity phono stage, How high a quality MC cart and phono stage would I need to better the sound? I have ordered the Scout but am strugling on the cartridge, is MC better?, and if so is the high output MC better than the Grado Platinum, or the Grado Sonata. I only have so much cash, the VPI was $1500.00 the Qunex 3 cable was $150.00 so I have $800.00 left this go around. Any suggestions on the cart, would be great, I have an internal phono stage in my X-150 but it's an MM with 2.5 mv so a lower output MC would require an external phono stage, if this is the way to go, any suggestions on a low output MC and external Phono stage for $800.00 that will be better than the Sonata through the X-150....Help!
flharrisdd0f
glrickaby
19 posts
 
You can pick up a Music Hall MMF phono Pac (Pre-Amp) for
about $100 which is very well rated and will handle a MC
or MM. The MMF works very well on a .4 output (Not high output) as it has a .45 rating. For $225, you can trade in
any old cartridge for a Benz Gold at Needle Doctor which has
a .4 output. This combination sounds very good. I think
lower output MC will ultimately give you better sound than
a high output. Higher in the Benz line will get you more so
you have plenty to play with for the the price of the phono
pac. Sumiko makes a twin but the reviews favor MMF. Read the reviews before you laugh!Just hide the MMF so no one sees the little black box!
synjohn
12 posts
 
Agree with Slipknot on the DV20X HO, This works very well
with the JMW9 and a decent MM stage will take kindly to it. I feed it into a AES PH-1 Phonostage(MM) with very good results.
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
I would recommend the Audio-Technica AT-OC9 mk2, under $300.00. That leaves $500.00 for a phono stage, and here we will stretch your wallet and go for the Phenomena at $600.00, or the Dino for $650.00. I have never heard the phono stage in your amp, but I have heard the one in the MF 1000A, as well as the XLP, and my guess is that the stages that I am recommending should exceed the built in phono stage in your amp and by a very wide margin. We got close to the budget and the sound should exceed the Grado.
flharrisdd0f OP
4 posts
 
Thanks to everyone, Have any of you heard anything about the Clearaudio Aurum Beta Mark II?
a_e_watkins
105 posts
 
flharris

In response to your last question, yes I have owned the Clearaudio Aurum Beta, and it is still the best cartridge that I have had in my system.

I recently purchased a new VPI Scout w/JMW9 tonearm and had the Grado 'Sonata' installed. While I do like the Grado, I did and do, still prefer the ClearAudio Beta. I loved its clarity and it just seemed to have more hummph, behind the complex passages on large orchestral and choral passages.

I have also heard good things about the DynaVector DV20X, but I can't speak with the same certainty, as I can with the Grado or the ClearAudio.

Whatever your choice, your turntable purchase was a solid step, in the right direction.

Good luck to you, which ever way you go.

Regards,

AEW
More to discover