Why do MM cartridges amplify more surface noise??


My concern in the thread is mainly moving magnet cartridges, not MC's I recently purchased an Ortofon 2M Blue MM cartridge which sounds very good with minor exceptions. Prior to the Ortofon, I briefy used an Audio Technica AT120E.

Unfortunately, the Ortofon seems to reproduce much more record surface noise than the AT120E which was remarkably quiet, except on very noisy LP's in my small collection. Without a doubt the Ortofon 2M Blue is a much better cartridge than the AT 120E

So what causes one MM cartridge to provide more LP surface noise than another?? Is it stylus design or materials, or the windings inside the cartridge body?? Is it heavier tracking force??

What MM cartridge in your experience reproduces the least amount of record surface noise??
sunnyjim

Showing 2 responses by lewm

In fact, I do not find your premise to be true. Check out John Tracy's recommendation.

However, I suppose it's conceivable that if a previous owner of a "used" LP habitually used, say, an elliptical stylus that was not properly aligned, and if the next owner of the LP used a cartridge with an elliptical stylus and compared that to a cartridge with e.g. a line contour stylus that rides in a different part of the groove wall, then the latter cartridge may appear to transmit less surface noise. (I don't know whether this circumstance is applicable to your observation.)
Doug, I use small cans of Mandarin Orange slices in water, Del Monte brand only. The secret is to place a tiptoe between the bottom of the can and the shelf. Two of my turntables that are mounted in slate plinths are supported in this fashion. I'm just sayin'. In fairness to Stringreen's tongue, have not tried tomato sauce.