30 year old GLANZ MC . . . ?

[CJSF]

Referred to in another post, might get buried, a dedicated, more detailed thread might be better:

I have come across one of my old GLANZ MC cartridges; GMC-10EX. Cant remember if it was a well regarded cartridge? Obviously I'm looking at; 'MC better than MM' syndrome. The Glanz is probably nearly 30 years old, has the technology moved on enough in those years to consider the Ortofon Blue 2M, my current 'MM scraper' a better unit, or are MC's still better?

The options in this thread may leads me to needing a 'MC phono step up', I dont want to get to committed financially at the moment, so a step up at the budget end is my thought. There is a reputedly good unit made by 'Angle Audio' at around £150, found reference to it on the web but cant find any contact details? There is also the 'Edwards Audio' unit at £275, My final option is Glen Croft, I believe he does a 'Valve MC step up' in this sort of budget?

Any views or pointers on the above please . . . CJSF

 

[CJSF]

No one got a view . . . MC's not popular these days? . . . CJSF

 

[bretty]

I don't know your MC cart, but i'd be inclined to stick with MM. I found that unless you are willing to spend the big money on a MC, £500 plus, they sound airy but a bit hard and thin. I think some modern MMs get very close to the airiness of MCs, but with a fuller sound. And for a fraction of the cost. For example, my cart is a MM and it was better than the Denon DL-103 MC in every area.

I think if you spend £200 - £300 on a MM, you'll be more than happy.

I've enjoyed reading your posts, by the way, mate. You remind me of me a year ago, getting so excited about the vinyl mallarky, and exploring all upgrade avenues. Good times!

 

[altruistic.lemon]

Haven't been into vinyl for a while, but MCs are usually better than MMs at any given price point. If you listen to the base Benz Micro Ace or the Dynavector 10x or 20x you'll see what I mean.

Personally, I always used to like the Denon DL103 in my turntable, even though it has a spherical cartridge. Never tried the Glanz - you should be able to get yours retipped, by the way. Garrott in Oz used to do it, but I'm sure there are more companies out there.

 

[bretty]

Haven't been into vinyl for a while, but MCs are usually better than MMs at any given price point. If you listen to the base Benz Micro Ace or the Dynavector 10x or 20x you'll see what I mean.

Personally, I always used to like the Denon DL103 in my turntable, even though it has a spherical cartridge. Never tried the Glanz - you should be able to get yours retipped, by the way. Garrott in Oz used to do it, but I'm sure there are more companies out there.

I disagree, AL, with the at any price point part. The carts you listed are great, but they are over £500, which was my point in my post. At £500 and above, MCs do have the edge over MM, but under £500, you can get better MMs for less cash that give a fuller sound.

 

[altruistic.lemon]

The Denons sell at the £130 price point and are better than the equivalents I've heard in MM, but each to his own. The base Dynavector sells for £295, and, if it's anything like the previous version I heard, is stonking value.

Nothing against MMs, but they can't give the depth or the dynamism of the MCs. The downside is, of course, that spending £295 on an article that will be worn out in roughly 1000 hours is a bitter pill to swallow.

All this talk of turntables is making my wonder whether I could sneak one into the house - probably no point, though, since no records and not that transportable when the day comes to get on the big jet heading Aussie-wards...

 

[CJSF]

Thanks for the replys guys . . . As you are aware, an old audiophile, I was heavily into MC's in the 80's, the problem is, I never took any notice of MM's at the time. So I'm way behind the times on both technologies . . . ?

My MC of choice was a fully de-nuded, Ortofon SPU Gold, modern version around a grand! I've listended to HQ downloads of a Denon 160, Dynavector 10x5 . . . a Goldring 1042 as a control. The MM's sound no better than my humble 2M Blue, the Denon 160 is thin'ish and the 10x5 is impresive but a bit in the face, a modern sound???? I sort of fancy a Denon 103r . . . ? I've seen it reviewd as; 'up there with a Kuetsu Black', total musical experiance?

I'm tempted to get a MC step up just for the hell of it, almost 'a stock item' to indulge my 'MC passions' . . . when ever the mood takes me? . . . probably favouring vintage Partridge Transformers, I used to use EAR tranformers, arm and a leg these days:? I can still use the Glanz, the tip is OK.

I'm balancing cost against practicality, and the fight against becoming an audiophile again??? I have the experiance but not the comitment these days, and of course a limited vinyl colletion, not to mention, the pension next year will spike the guns!

It is becomiming a pleasant experiance, this new 2nd life, I feel like I'm putting on a well worn, comfortable and love old suit, fits like a glove. Just need to find out where to strut my stuff, being carfull not to make an old fool of myself . . . What was that . . . 'dont that already'