MM, MC, or MI cartridge


Can somebody briefly describe the difference in the sonic characteristics of these types of cartridge, if possible?

I’ve never had a MC and I’m wondering what difference it would make.

128x128rvpiano

@rvpiano...Well, sounds like you're good to go your way. :)

Owned both varieties, liked most for reasons already stated. *G*

Go forth and play.....

Happy wknd, y'all.

Well, I now have no choice but to buy a new cartridge. 
I stupidly accidentally bent the stylus on my current Clearaudio Virtuoso.

Ortofon Quintet Blue...easy set up, great sound for 500 bucks on my trusty old Linn Basik Akito. My Quintet Red is also a great MC, but hey...ya get curious (my Linn Basik cost 500 bucks used when I bought it some years ago). A Quintet Black is in my future perhaps but man...the Blue is sublime.

I run a Hana ML through a Sutherland phononstage (60 db gain, 200 ohm loading) on my VPI table/tone arm (JMW 10.5). A nice setup and I appreciate its resolution especially on classical symphonic and chamber music. For jazz it’s quite good but not appreciably better (to my tin ear) than my Goldring Eroica high output MC was.

Honestly, this is such a subjective scenario it’s really not valuable if your sonic preference, room acoustics and hearing ability differs from mine. Like much of this hobby, a matter of making the investment and hoping for satisfaction. I don’t have the luxury of a local dealer to loan me things to try unfortunately. And I don’t often find reviews to be much more than sales pitches…although I try to read several before buying. Bottom line, pay your money, take your chance…but from my perspective, you’re on a good path with your choice.