HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

Hi all
I’ve not had many mc, those I have had were ‘used’, mainly Ortofon MC series and a homc Dynavector something or other- I had AT 005. & 009 many years ago and I remember liking the 005
I have a selection of mm I like
Nagaoka mp200sb; ADC phase 4; Grado Prestige Gold & a wood body Re tipped
I’d like to get a ‘classic’ lomc - what do u remember about the linn mcs- missed out on an Asak recently
Any other manufacturer I need to consider- I realise I may need to retip - so looking for a good engine so to speak
Cheers

Lyra make fantastic MC Carts,

I would make sure it as a boron cantilever and a fine line diamond.

Boron is used in every manufacturers top of the range cartridge regardless of price .

Im yet to be convinced the generator and coils of different manufacturers result in significantly different sound.

I like carts with boron cantilevers - I'm lucky to have few here...

AT OC7, AT PTG33, Benz Micro Glyder and a yet to be fully "broken in" Dynavector XX2.

Best to my ears ATM is the Benz Glyder. So nicely balanced and dynamic but not much protection against damage though! Strangely enough the Benz is mounted on an arm that's not generally accepted to be any good, a late model black wand SME Series III, go figure!

Top of the line Soundsmith carts use a particular species of cactus needle for a cantilever, way out of my league price wise. I also like what Peter Lederman has to say about most things analogue.


Alfi.

A 'classic' is the Denon 103...it's enjoyable on it's own terms, and a bit of a bargain, but it does not have the precision of the fine line diamonds.

The 103R is reported to be a (bit of a ) step in that direction.

Indeed.

I've had (and broken) a few of these classics over the years and can vouch that the R version is a slightly better performer. Just a big shame Denon don't make them with a better "FL" stylus and a boron cantilever.

Alfi

For not a great deal of money, an audio technica at-f7 is good first step, for more, an at33ptg doesnt have many peers at the money. Up from that there is the 33sa and the hana sl.
The 33 ptg is the best value for money of those 4 in my opinion

Ive had some good luck and bad luck with second hand carts, i now prefer to buy new, or if second hand, i much prefer to buy from someone who i know rather than ebay. A retip can cost what a new cart does in the first place, and oldies can have question marks over the internals. No way to check, one persons 'fine' is usually my 'broken' these days, so be very sure you want something second hand or know the seller and ideally the history of the cart.
Not everyone is honest

The Denon is one I’ve resisted over the years- also the Sumiko BPS
Might just go the Denon route
The range of ortofon mcs also are interesting
Cheers all

Good choice Latteman, Ant's suggestion should also be considered as well as AT's new OC9 series if you want to spend a little more.

For an affordable price tag its my opinion that the Audio Technica cartridges offer a lot of value. You can start with the 33 series of cartridges, and the PTG II is a solid value for around $500 or less. The newly released OC9 line also has some great values in it, and would be a fine choice. The ART 9 cartridges are considered excellent at the $1000 USD price range, and very competitive with other "high end" cartridges. Lots of value here.

Looks like we are using a Lenco arm? If you need lower compliance cartridges, a hot rodded Denon DL 103 is a solid choice. Especially if you can source a body and get it fitted with a higher grade diamond, such as a good line contact. I would try to keep an aluminum cantilever on it though as that is how the cartridge is voiced. Changing the body to a wood or aluminum one from after market companies is also a nice little upgrade.

The Hana cartridges are also worth looking at. An Excel Co product, you get a solid Japanese builder with a lot of years of experience.

I suspect Benz Micro or even Ortofon would be easy for you to source, and more affordable than what is in the US. I believe Ortofon has a bargain site where they sell refurbished older offerings at attractive prices.

Finally, we should not forget Goldring! Solid offerings there too.