Question MM over MC

[DAVE STAR]

Hi everyone,

I have been using Ortofon bronze and black with a raga pre amp for 5 years my question is would there be a improvement in sound quality if I use a raga fono mc mk4 with a budget MC cartridge.

 

[Al ears]

Hi everyone,

I have been using Ortofon bronze and black with a raga pre amp for 5 years my question is would there be a improvement in sound quality if I use a raga fono mc mk4 with a budget MC cartridge.

I presume you mean Rega..
As for improvement in sound quality I would suggest no.

 

[plastic penguin]

Hi everyone,

I have been using Ortofon bronze and black with a raga pre amp for 5 years my question is would there be a improvement in sound quality if I use a raga fono mc mk4 with a budget MC cartridge.

What turntable and amplifier do you use?

Usually I would agree with @Al ears I would suggest MM are every bit as good as MCs but if your system is more high end it's possibly worth exploring.

 

[Al ears]

What turntable and amplifier do you use?

Usually I would agree with @Al ears I would suggest MM are every bit as good as MCs but if your system is more high end it's possibly worth exploring.

I think that might depend on the word 'budget ' before MC.
If you damage an MC cartridge it's bin it and buy another, unlike MMs, so if on a budget avoid cheap MCs

 

[plastic penguin]

I think that might depend on the word 'budget ' before MC.
If you damage an MC cartridge it's bin it and buy another, unlike MMs, so if on a budget avoid cheap MCs

Yeah, totally agree a budget MC stage/cart isn't worth changing.

 

[manicm]

MC can be a real improvement over MM, but the rest of your system must be in sync. DAVE STAR did not state which turntable he has.

A good MC will show up a budget turntable/phono pre-amp/amplifier as weak, and reveal sonic idiosyncrasies.

If the rest of the system i.e. turntable and amp don't warrant it, then no. But if there's a budget MC cartridge, then why not try it out? It's only hifi after all.

 

[DAVE STAR]

Hi , Thanks for your answers to my question, that has made my mind up.
Just to let you know my equipment is a Technics 1500c, Rega mm pre amp, Yamaha A-S301 amp and Q acoustics 3050 speakers.
Regards Dave.

 

[good_enough]

Just to confuse matters there are high output MCs that you can use with a MM phono stage. I run a Hana SH into a Roksan K2 and it sounds terrific. Whether it's the Shibata, the MC bit or the lovely phono stage I don't know and don't have the budget to experiment to find out.

This is a problem with carts isn't it? When mine, which gives me a sound that I still find an absolute joy, wears out, am I really going to risk a half grand on something else just to test it? The chance that a dealer will have something to emulate my setup (Linn Axis and Monitor Audio Studio 20SE complete the kit) is precisely zero. So one would be asking for a home trial for something pretty fragile and 'perishable'. Like for like it is, then.

 

[nopiano]

Hi , Thanks for your answers to my question, that has made my mind up.
Just to let you know my equipment is a Technics 1500c, Rega mm pre amp, Yamaha A-S301 amp and Q acoustics 3050 speakers.
Regards Dave.

No, it’s not really worth it as your system is well balanced with the 2M Bronze being a very decent cartridge.

However, without the expense of a new phono stage you can try the flavour of an MC, from one of the world’s most famous cartridge makers, Denon. Their DL-110 is a high output MC you can use into your MM Rega pre.

It is lower output than your Ortofon, about 1/3rd as much, but unless your volume control is already at 2 o’clock, you should have enough gain. It’s no more costly than your Bronze. It’s a compromise, but nevertheless if you’re itching to change, it’s well worth considering.

DL-110 - Ultra-premium Moving Coil Phono Cartridge | Denon - UK

The DL-110 Ultra-premium Moving Coil Phono Cartridge from Denon provides high quality audio for your hi-fi needs. Explore more Turntables at Denon - UK.

www.denon.com

 

[DAVE STAR]

Just to confuse matters there are high output MCs that you can use with a MM phono stage. I run a Hana SH into a Roksan K2 and it sounds terrific. Whether it's the Shibata, the MC bit or the lovely phono stage I don't know and don't have the budget to experiment to find out.

This is a problem with carts isn't it? When mine, which gives me a sound that I still find an absolute joy, wears out, am I really going to risk a half grand on something else just to test it? The chance that a dealer will have something to emulate my setup (Linn Axis and Monitor Audio Studio 20SE complete the kit) is precisely zero. So one would be asking for a home trial for something pretty fragile and 'perishable'. Like for like it is, then.

Hi, Your so right, stylus and carts are so expensive not everyone can experiment with them.
I think I should just enjoy what I've always used and spend the money on more vinyl.
Many thanks Dave.

 

[DAVE STAR]

No, it’s not really worth it as your system is well balanced with the 2M Bronze being a very decent cartridge.

However, without the expense of a new phono stage you can try the flavour of an MC, from one of the world’s most famous cartridge makers, Denon. Their DL-110 is a high output MC you can use into your MM Rega pre.

It is lower output than your Ortofon, about 1/3rd as much, but unless your volume control is already at 2 o’clock, you should have enough gain. It’s no more costly than your Bronze. It’s a compromise, but nevertheless if you’re itching to change, it’s well worth considering.

DL-110 - Ultra-premium Moving Coil Phono Cartridge | Denon - UK

The DL-110 Ultra-premium Moving Coil Phono Cartridge from Denon provides high quality audio for your hi-fi needs. Explore more Turntables at Denon - UK.

www.denon.com

Hi, Thanks for that info and link that is worth thinking about.
Many thanks Dave

 

[manicm]

Hi , Thanks for your answers to my question, that has made my mind up.
Just to let you know my equipment is a Technics 1500c, Rega mm pre amp, Yamaha A-S301 amp and Q acoustics 3050 speakers.
Regards Dave.

Were you thinking of getting the Rega Fono MC Mk4, or do you have it already?

I'd say if you're on a significant upgrade path and you do get the Fono MC, then get a good MC cartridge, otherwise try the Denon NoPiano suggested in your current system.

Your Technics turntable is great, and will improve as you want to upgrade.

 

[Al ears]

No, it’s not really worth it as your system is well balanced with the 2M Bronze being a very decent cartridge.

However, without the expense of a new phono stage you can try the flavour of an MC, from one of the world’s most famous cartridge makers, Denon. Their DL-110 is a high output MC you can use into your MM Rega pre.

It is lower output than your Ortofon, about 1/3rd as much, but unless your volume control is already at 2 o’clock, you should have enough gain. It’s no more costly than your Bronze. It’s a compromise, but nevertheless if you’re itching to change, it’s well worth considering.

DL-110 - Ultra-premium Moving Coil Phono Cartridge | Denon - UK

The DL-110 Ultra-premium Moving Coil Phono Cartridge from Denon provides high quality audio for your hi-fi needs. Explore more Turntables at Denon - UK.

www.denon.com

Whilst I would agree that, at around £200, the Denon DL110 can be considered to be a budget MC but would it be better than his Ortofons?
I doubt it, however presentation will be different.

 

[nopiano]

Whilst I would agree that, at around £200, the Denon DL110 can be considered to be a budget MC but would it be better than his Ortofons?
I doubt it, however presentation will be different.

Possibly not better, and objectively probably less good at tracking, but it might give a hint of that MC flavour. Hard to describe, and different with each brand, but maybe a bit richer and more atmospheric.

Even as I’ve typed those words, I’m not sure they make much sense!

 

[daytona600]

Keep the 2M Bronze/Black fit KIT1 upgrades to the 1500c
or upgrade to new SL1200GR2

Kit 10: Isolation Bubble upgrade kit for DJ Style decks, such as Audio Technica, Pioneer and Technics: Kit 10: 1500c

Please checkout the Youtube video and review by Paul Rigby: https://youtu.be/_3OwcrVVO0Q https://theaudiophileman.com/sl-1500c-upgrade-kit-review-funk-firm/

thefunkfirm.co.uk

 

[nopiano]

Keep the 2M Bronze/Black fit KIT1 upgrades to the 1500c
or upgrade to new SL1200GR2

Kit 10: Isolation Bubble upgrade kit for DJ Style decks, such as Audio Technica, Pioneer and Technics: Kit 10: 1500c

Please checkout the Youtube video and review by Paul Rigby: https://youtu.be/_3OwcrVVO0Q https://theaudiophileman.com/sl-1500c-upgrade-kit-review-funk-firm/

thefunkfirm.co.uk

View attachment 5354

Do you use this Funk Firm kit yourself? It always strikes me as looking a bit flaky, but it might be terrific.

 

[daytona600]

IMHO source 1st always 50/80% of your budget
Would buy a better TT myself 1200GR

 

[good_enough]

Do you use this Funk Firm kit yourself? It always strikes me as looking a bit flaky, but it might be terrific.

I tried an achromat (thinner version so I didn't change VTA) and it sounded a great deal worse than the standard felt on my Linn Axis. Muddied the bass, big-time. Compared side by side using cans and speakers and junked it after a half dozen sides. Hopeless.

YMMV as they put it.

 

[nopiano]

IMHO source 1st always 50/80% of your budget
Would buy a better TT myself 1200GR

That’s a bit contradictory when you appeared to recommend the kit in post #15. So you’d suggest taking the hit on selling the 1500 to get a 1210, or would you choose the funk firm kit of tweaks?