Take Jason’s opinion of MM cartridges and the reasoning associated with his opinion with a wheelbarrow full of salt. There are many MM cartridges that outperform many MC cartridges, although he hasn’t named the best ones. And Grado are not the only or the best examples of MI types.
Sony PS-X50 - MC cartridge advice please (and general MC cartridge advice)
I have a Sony PS-X50 turntable. I have the itch to try a MC cartridge due to much talk about MC being superior to MM cartridges. Unfortunately, I know very little about matching/pairing a cartridge to a turntable.
Found Sony PS-X50 spec's on "turntable needles.com"
I may be able to get a used (under 50 hours) "Audio-Technica AT-OC9XML Dual Moving Coil Cartridge with Microlinear Stylus". Would this be a decent upgrade from my "ADC - QLM 36 mkIII" MM cartridge.
My Parasound New Classic200 pre does have a MM or MC phono stage option.
Thanks greatly in advance for any advice.
Audio-Technica AT-OC9XML specs (found on "turntable needles.com")
| Type | Dual Moving Coil |
| Body Material | Aluminum |
| Frequency Response | 20-47,000 Hz |
| Channel Separation | 27 dB (1 kHz) |
| Vertical Tracking Angle | 20° |
| Vertical Tracking Force | 1.8-2.2 g (2.0 g standard) |
| Recommended Load Impedance | Min. 100 ohms (when head amplifier is connected) |
| Coil Impedance | 12 ohms (1 kHz) |
| DC Resistance | 12 ohms |
| Coil Inductance | 25 mH (1 kHz) |
| Output | 0.4 mV (at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec) |
| Channel Balance | 1.0 dB (1 kHz) |
| Stylus Shape | Microlinear |
| Stylus Type | Nude square shank |
| Stylus Curvature Radius | 2.2 x 0.12 mil |
| Cantilever | 0.28 mm diameter nude boron |
| Static Compliance | 20 x 10-6 cm/dyne |
| Dynamic Compliance | 16 x 10-6 cm/dyne (100 Hz) |
| Wire Used for Coil | PCOCC |
| Terminal Pins | Brass |
| Mount | Half-inch |
| Weight | 7.6 g (0.3 oz) |
| Dimensions | 17.3 mm (0.68") H × 16.8 mm (0.66") W × 25.7 mm (1.01") D |
| Accessories Included | Non-magnetic screwdriver; 2 washers; cartridge installation screws (5 mm × 2, 8 mm × 2, 10 mm x 2, 12 mm x 2); plastic protector; brush |