mm or mc?

[Willy6]

You've prabably already been asked this question a thousand times but anyway I have a high end sansui AU-X1 Amplifier with a switch for either an mm cartridge or an mc cartridge and I want the best sound so which is it mm or mc?

 

[62vauxhall]

Depends on what you consider best sound. I dabbled with two or three MC's but sold them as MM's sound better to me.

Only way to know is to do likewise and hear for yourself. It can be an expensive exploration.

 

[pyoung272]

If price is no object and the particular turntable is ideal for the chosen cartridge, I would say the best MC cartridge would sound better than the best MM cartridge.

 

[4-2-7]

Yes let us know what the rest of the system is.

As far as me and how I built my system, I am MC cartridges all the way. But I'm not buying cheap entry level carts and putting them on a basic vintage consumer table either.

 

[Grenadeslio]

You've prabably already been asked this question a thousand times but anyway I have a high end sansui AU-X1 Amplifier with a switch for either an mm cartridge or an mc cartridge and I want the best sound so which is it mm or mc?

Use the input that matches your cartridge.

If buying a cartridge, how much you got?

 

[Willy6]

What's the rest of your setup including the TT?

Marantz 6350q and klipschorns

 

[Audiofreak71]

You've prabably already been asked this question a thousand times but anyway I have a high end sansui AU-X1 Amplifier with a switch for either an mm cartridge or an mc cartridge and I want the best sound so which is it mm or mc?

The best sound is what sounds good to your ears , there are always going to be opinions on a piece of gear that people may think is the best and your always going to find something that cost more but at the end of the day it’s what your listening to in your room on your equipment as to whether it sounds good or not . Experiment with both mm and Mc set up properly and come to your conclusion as to what you like better.

Audiofreak71

 

[Tedrick]

As far as me and how I built my system, I am MC cartridges all the way. But I'm not buying cheap entry level carts and putting them on a basic vintage consumer table either.

This pretty much describes my situation, as well. Once I got a good LOMC-capable phone preamp, I went down the moving coil rabbit hole and I'll likely never go back.

 

[Willy6]

Yes let us know what the rest of the system is.

As far as me and how I built my system, I am MC cartridges all the way. But I'm not buying cheap entry level carts and putting them on a basic vintage consumer table either.

What are you running?

 

[4-2-7]

What are you running?

SOTA Star Sapphire tables with SME Series V arms mostly, and Sumiko Blackbird cartridges.

 

[bimasta]

There are great MMs and great MCs, and also less great. And it's a matter of personal taste. And finally, your amp may have a great MM stage, and a less-great MC stage. So many variables in this game, and part of its appeal is the voyage of discovery.

 

[Willy6]

SOTA Star Sapphire tables with SME Series V arms mostly, and Sumiko Blackbird cartridges.

View attachment 1232681

Nice

 

[slimecity]

Willy -

I'm sure the MC stage in the X1 will be exemplary (I cant wait to get mine running to find out!).

Im like soem others here - I've gone to MC and wont be going back - however getting enough signal out of a LOMC can be real PITA.

You'll need to check if the MC input on the X1 will suit an X1's input levels for the MC stage (Im not sure on this).

I have a Denon DL-103 and that is a great multi-purpose and very popular MC cart that sounds great on many applications and TT's I have tried.

 

[Bucky Badger]

SOTA Star Sapphire tables with SME Series V arms mostly, and Sumiko Blackbird cartridges.

Nice is right Willy6. Great setup.

 

[jrtrent]

My preference has always been for reasonably warm-sounding moving magnet or moving iron designs (Stanton 681, Grado, and my currently beloved but now discontinued M97xE). I only bought one moving coil cartridge (a Linn Asaka used in an all-Linn system including Ittok arm), and while it sounded very good to me, it gave me no more enjoyment from my records than any of a number of moving magnet cartridges that were considerably cheaper (a consideration for my working career that has been divided between non-profit organizations and teaching public school).

I don't know how much his observations still hold true, but here is a link to an interesting but rather old article by Robert Greene.
http://www.regonaudio.com/Stanton881AudioTechnicaATML70.html

 

[Lapslah]

Are you asking what type of cartridge you should buy, or are you asking what setting to use on your amp for the cartridge you have?