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How many have switched from MM carts to LOMC?

How many have switched from MM carts to LOMC?

  • I switched and could never go back

    Votes: 61 43.0%

  • I switched but it wasn't really any better

    Votes: 1 0.7%

  • I switched back to MM after trying LOMC

    Votes: 11 7.7%

  • Both are good and it doesn't matter

    Votes: 58 40.8%

  • I went with HOMC and like it

    Votes: 11 7.7%
  • Total voters
    142
Funky54 said:
That's a great recommendation. Your opinion or impression carry a great deal of weight with me. I hate the "unknown". Since going to the AT33ptgii from a Goldring 1042, and comparing against a dynavector 10x5 left me at the AT33ptgii, I'm apprehensive to go away from MC… The AT33SA seems like the most secure or safest next step to invest in. But I can get a Rockin deal on a Boheme and I've always wanted to try a soundsmith. It also seems backward because I did a heads up shoot out of 5 SUT's.

Decisions Decisions…

I listen to a lot of different kinda of music. My main genre is HardRock. Zeppelin, Rival Sons, Van Halen, Thin Lizzy. I also really enjoy Big Band, Jazz too. Keeping a cart with a best overall quality is also an agonizing mountain of compromise.
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Shoot Stuart a PM (srs735), he is the one who I go to for anything cartridge related. I believe he is getting a Boheme, they are a step above the Carmen which is already highly regarded and probably the best sounding cart I have owned for under $2k. I also listen primarily to heavy rock and Metal but any record I own sounded great with the Carmen

I am currently using a retipped Ortofon MC20 Super II and I highly recommend that cart if one is looking for a LOMC. Damn close to the Carmen in sound but low output so some folks may need a SUT. My Perreaux SA3 handles it easily and for the sound, ridiculously affordable
 
It's all about system preferences and your taste.

In my major switch, I went from a Technics SL-1300 mk. II w. a Signet TK7e cart (excellent) to a VPI HW-19 jr. w. a Benz Micro Gold (LOMC).

The combo was light years ahead in fidelity.

It's all about system match and affordability with me.

Happy Listening!
DeeCee
 
Hmmmm, my option isn't listed. The first cart I used was the cheap AT moving iron that came with a cheap Sherwood turntable.... The first cart I bought was a few weeks later, a Denon DL110, from there I tried quite a few MM and MI carts though none really bettered the DL110 until I moved to a DL103. Once I tasted LOMC I never really went back although I have come across a few vintage MM and MI carts that compare well with LOMC's. My Hana EL LOMC is the best I've heard though. It does everything well.

I've a few MM/MI carts that are right up there with my LOMC's so I've recently come to the conclusion that there are great carts to be found with all three. I have a dedicated system for LOMC's and a dedicated system for MM/MI carts. Each system plays to the strengths of different cartridges.

My system for LOMC's runs a JVC QL7 turntable > vintage square Jensen style copper foil SUT's out of a recording studio in the US that were converting to digital > EAR 834P copy > Yaqin MC10T 52WPC push/pull amp > B&W DM16's + Wharfedale SW150 sub

My MM/MI system runs Ariston RD110 SL turntable > EAR 834P copy > Oldchen 10WPC SEP amp > Dayton PS220-8 Full Range Point Source speakers
 
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mjw21a said:
The first cart I bought was a few weeks later, a Denon DL110, from there I tried quite a few MM and MI carts though none really bettered the DL110 until I moved to a DL103. Once I tasted LOMC I never really went back
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Since you have experience with HOMC and LOMC from the same manufacturer, at approximately the same price point, could you talk about their relative differences and why you prefer the DL-103?
 
The DL103 is a more relaxed and nuanced sounding cart, with more meat to it. The DL110 had greater dynamics... A more energetic sounding cart that makes you want to get up and dance rather than sit back and relax.... I much prefer the DL103 and have since changed the plastic body for a mahogany body (which made it more transparent and organic sounding, and improved its bass). I've also had the cantilever replaced with a thinner and lighter solid aluminium alloy cantilever and an elliptical tip so it can't really be considered a DL103 anymore. It tracks far better now with no groove pinch and this has further improved definition and detail retrieval at the frequency extremes.

I also have a Denon DL303 with shibata retip which is a lovely sounding cart.... When I can get it set up correctly. It's very fussy about correct VTA so the thickness of the record affects playback. The end result is I never use it. I've a DL301 Mk2 I bought in need of a retip which I'll have done at some point though I'm in no hurry.

The reality is that my Hana EL is a better, and more balanced cart than both of my Denons with a more fuss free setup than the DL303. The small cantilever on the Hana cart gives better peace of mind too.

Presently my three favourite carts are my Hana EL, Denon DL103 and Empire 4000 D/I. I also have a Shure SC35C where I've removed the plastic body and installed it in a threaded aluminium universal body, and have a Jico V15 Mk3 Hyper Elliptical stylus installed. The stylus is a little loose so that's held in place with a blob of blue tac. Sounds absolutely fantastic. Then again I've a Grado Reference Platinum 1 with microtracer retip which others enjoy though I can't really see what the fuss is about. It does some things well though the other 4 carts I've mentioned are far superior.... Just different taste I guess.

I've tried about 20 or so carts in the last few years though many were cheaper carts. I've kept the best of what I've heard. The rest were resold on eBay. I really want to obtain a LOMM one of these days. :)
 
While I have had some experience with just about every speaker that pops up locally, I am still a bit uninitiated as far as cartridges go. My exposure is essentially to the low end Ortofon line, Grado black, Audio Technica 120e, and then way on the other end I've clocked a few hours with a $15k Koetsu in a showroom.

I've got a Denon 103 R in the mail. Still have to purchase and assemble my SUT's. I am looking forward to the experience. Thanks for all of the comments here!
 
Bootbox said:
I switched from an Audio-Technica AT-ML170/OCC to an AT-OC9ML/II then from that to another AT LOMC, the PTG/II.

I'm glad I switched. The 170/OCC is an incredible cartridge with true to master tape playback, no question. The LOMC carts bring out a very fun, lively sound from the music. It's a ton of fun to listen to.

With my MM cart I was running it into a highly modified full tube Yaqin 22b MM phono pre. For the LOMC carts I've added a Signet MK10T SUT to the chain. I've run my LOMC carts through a solid state MC phone pre with no SUT and while it sounded good, it did not sound anywhere near as good as the tube MM/SUT setup.

For what it's worth the rest of the chain is a completely restored/refurbed Pioneer SA-9500 amp, a Pioneer PL-630 turntable with DIY tonearm oil damping (medium mass tonearm), and a pair of recapped Polk SDA 2 speakers.
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We share a lot of similarities. I'm currently using a AT33 ptgii cart on a medium mass unipivot arm, but I also have a Pioneer PL-530 that is somewhat kinda similar to your 630. I also use a tube MM Pre (yaqin ms-12b) with a few different SUT's. Its been a really cool learning experience tube rolling, cable comparisons, Cart swaps... different tables. The more I know the less absolute I feel about my opinions. Synergy definitely plays a very large portion of the perceived success or failure of any single part. Unfortunately in our hobby that synergy also makes things very expensive. Somehow we each have to find the right grouping of parts.
 
I have been using an AT33EV for the last few years and am very happy with it, but I'm not 100% sure if the improvement in clarity I hear over my MM carts is due to the cart of new phono preamp i use with the AT33EV (I use a clone of the expensive Phono Cube). I have to say though, I agree with some of the comments above that the MM Shure M97xe is very good too, at 1/5 of the price. I have a Denon DL100 too, however, I use to be able to pick those up for $150 but they are starting to get pricier...

So back to OPs question. I think various types of cart can sound good with a matching tt and phono amp.
 
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Ha....I fully agree that your system should dictate the cost of the cartridge that you use. LOMC cartridges of really high quality cost a ton of money and should only be used on a system that can bring out the same quality of sound that an expensive LOMC cart can pull from the vinyl. I am currently happy with what I have, and will never aspire to the super expensive cartridge that would be used on a 20k turntable playing thru a 75k system.

I will, at some time, sell off some of the more than 20 turntables that I have. Sell some of the 30 or so cartridges that I have. Sell some of the old Nikko and Optonica stuff that I have collected, and buy one really nice system that will support one really nice LOMC cartridge. Right now I have 4 systems up and running, along with a bunch of spare preamps, power amps, integrated amps, and a pile of speakers.

It started out just trying to get back into vinyl about 6 years ago and has turned into a hobby/addiction. I have really enjoyed it, learned a ton, and will continue experimenting.

I do, however, have to wean out the herd and consolidate. I think that I have a pretty good idea of want I want to do. I will do something similar to what mjw21a has done and set up one system for LOMC and one or two for MM, MI and HOMC and my beloved hybrid piezo electric MA-2002e.

I will thin out the herd to keep my Tannoy/Micro TM55DD, Technics SL-MA1, Technics SL-1100a, Mitsubishi LT-30, and one of my Elac Miracord idlers (probably the 770h). I will also keep one belt drive turntable yet to be discovered. I have a few, but they are not keepers in my mind. I have my eye on some options, but need to thin out the herd first.

When I have completed the purge, I will probably move up to one really good LOMC cartridge that will be used for pristine vinyl and critical listening. They other systems will be for relaxation and fun. They will still be "nice" systems that I will feel comfortable listening to while imbibing some quality adult beverages and not having to worry too much about handling the merchandise. This translates to requiring, at a minimum, an auto lift at end of record option to avoid unintended stylus destruction when drifting off into music induced, alcoholic aided, trips to vinyl nirvana.

So yah.....LOMC's are better if given a total lack of budget restriction. Bang for the buck and still getting an excellent quality of sound....MM's are fine. It all depends on what your "diminishing returns" point is. Damn.....this hobby/addiction can get pricey! But it is fun!
 
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As the rest of my parts arrived today, I am a few hours into the "switched to LOMC" group. Now that I know more about arm/cart/pre matching, I doubt this will be my last cartridge.

I'm moving from an Audio Technica AT120e to a Denon 103R with cinemag SUTs. First impressions were very positive. I'd still like to try Soundsmith MI, Ortofon 2m Black, and a whole boatload of LOMC (Hana, Sumiko, Ortofon, etc...)
 
Started back to vinyl a few years ago and had some pickering cart. They were ok but left me wanting. Picked up a Shure v15lll /MR and it killed the picks. Ran into a Denon dl110 and was blown away at the detail and attack. Got an ATOC9ML recently and now that's the best I've heard so far. Currently considering moving up the chain to the next levEl ??? Saving a bag of nickles for that right now!
 
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