MM/MC Cartridge for TD160

[InfranetDog]

I don't have any knowledge about turntables.

I have a Thorens TD160 which needs a cartridge. I just want to experience the sounding of vinyl and so looking for a low priced MM/MC cartridge.

I would like to know which cartridge will fit this table and arm? Also, what's the difference between a MM and MC cartridge? Will it have anything to do with a pre-amp?

 

[drspiff]

Do you have coupons to cover all those questions? I thought it was one free question, and they were $1 apiece after that. Maybe that was just for me...

Anyway, try these answers:

1. Any cartridge which has 1/2" mounting centers will mount into your headshell. Any cartridge which is advertised as a P-mount will not mount in your headshell.
2. My limited experience suggests that there are no "low-priced MC cartridges"
3. A phono preamp is required if any of the following are true:
A. Your receiver/amplifier does not have a built-in phono preamp. Notable by the absence of the word "Phono" on either the front or back of the unit.
B. You want to plug your turntable directly into your computer sound card
I will leave the discussion of MM vs. MC to the TT gurus among us. As far as recommending a cartridge, IMHO, you should as much money on the interface components as you have in your budget. This means speakers and input devices, ie cartridge/turntable combination. The stuff between the interfaces can be considered a "straight wire with gain". Spend only as much money as you have left over.

The Thorens TD-160 is a good table, you probably should go look at the www.theanalogdept.com for way more information than you can stand about the Thorens.