MM vs. MC


If I was looking at a Grado Reference Platinum cartridge, to be played on a VPI Scout & JMW9 tonearm with a Musical fidelity phono stage, How high a quality MC cart and phono stage would I need to better the sound? I have ordered the Scout but am strugling on the cartridge, is MC better?, and if so is the high output MC better than the Grado Platinum, or the Grado Sonata. I only have so much cash, the VPI was $1500.00 the Qunex 3 cable was $150.00 so I have $800.00 left this go around. Any suggestions on the cart, would be great, I have an internal phono stage in my X-150 but it's an MM with 2.5 mv so a lower output MC would require an external phono stage, if this is the way to go, any suggestions on a low output MC and external Phono stage for $800.00 that will be better than the Sonata through the X-150....Help!
flharrisdd0f

Showing 1 response by glrickaby

You can pick up a Music Hall MMF phono Pac (Pre-Amp) for
about $100 which is very well rated and will handle a MC
or MM. The MMF works very well on a .4 output (Not high output) as it has a .45 rating. For $225, you can trade in
any old cartridge for a Benz Gold at Needle Doctor which has
a .4 output. This combination sounds very good. I think
lower output MC will ultimately give you better sound than
a high output. Higher in the Benz line will get you more so
you have plenty to play with for the the price of the phono
pac. Sumiko makes a twin but the reviews favor MMF. Read the reviews before you laugh!Just hide the MMF so no one sees the little black box!