MM to MC back to MM

Once upon a time I had an Ortofon MC, and then I had several Signet cartridges. Every time I needed a stylus replacement I found out that my model was no longer supported, but they would make me this real good deal on a new one that only cost, (before discount) 50 percent more than my cartridge. It took three times, but I finally realized the game they were playing. So I bought a Shure V15mr, and lived happily ever after.

Ctm_cra...Regarding the use of different phono preamps...I have a Tandberg preamp that has two completely separate phono stages in it which you choose using the input selector switch. The two phono stages are, except for a few resistors that set gain, identical circuits. Even the transistors are the same. I don't know if other phono preamps are designed this way, but it would answer your concern when doing a MC/MM comparison.

When I first installed the Ortifon I liked what I heard. Looking for something beyond a subjective opinion, I noted that the words of certain vocal recordings, which I had never been able to make out, became clear.

With the option of CDs phono performance became less important to me, and besides, I made other more effective upgrades to the overall system, including, by the way, a better MM cartridge.

Ctm_cra...For clarification...the Tandberg preamp has two complete phono preamps built in. I don't think this is common, although there may be others. One approach is the have an additional booster stage that the MC goes through before the MM circuit, or the gain of the phono circuit can be changed by switch setting.

Rauliruegas....What can you say about the other cartridge technologies.

Ceramic (Piezoelectric)..Using this technology very cheap cartridges could be made, but a few true High Fidelity ones were also made.

Capacitive...Tracked at one gram when other cartridges were 5 grams or so.

Strain gauge...

Any others?
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Jmaldonado...As I said in a prior comment, at least one such preamp exists (Tandberg 3008A). There are just 2 gain stages and only a couple of resistors differ between the MC and the MM circuits so as to adjust gain. (Of course the inputs have loading resistors and capacitors as appropriate for each cartridge type). It seems to me that if you can achieve a good MC preamp it is a trivial change to cut the gain for MM use.

On the other hand Rauliruegas has designed his unit with different circuits, and different transistor types, because he feels that each type of cartridge should have an optimal design.

Jmaldonado...I bought the service manual, so I have the schematic.

About schematics...In the good old days the owner's manual always included the schematic. For pro audio equipment this is still true. If I buy the thing I think that I should have knowledge of how it is made without having to open the cover and reverse-engineer the circuit boards.

Rant over.
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