MM or MI Cartridge?

Wolfie, Good point about the relationship between hysteresis and core material, or lack of same. But to my observation, the three types do group well apart from each other if you base it on inductance. LOMCs are always much less than 100uH (micro-Henries). Many are actually down in the 10uH and below range. Whereas MI types typically measure in the low mH range, and a classic MM will measure 400mH and higher. The difference between 10uH (for a LOMC with low internal R) and 500mH (for a classic MM) is 50,000X! But I still stand by my reasoning (see above) and my listening experience that leads me to believe the difference in inductance does not make LOMCs inherently superior to MI and MM types.  So, you and I agree on the end point.

I feel privileged and fortunate to have a Grado Epoch3 MI cartridge.

It instantly replaced my, highly regarded, Lyra Atlas SL.

By that I mean it did not “cream” the Lyra, but it greatly surpassed it in, the always vital and central, musicality. Most important to me, voices sound more natural.

I bought the Grado because I was curious about MI. Everything I read about the, somewhat legendary, MI Decca London Reference made me long for that kind of sound. But the Decca  turned out to be out of production. And those who own them seem to hold on to them tightly. And I don’t think there is anyone who rebuilds them. I may be wrong about that.

MM (MI) or MC? One can’t generalize. But, surely, there are now outstanding cartridges of all types. 

Dear @lewm : Agree, inductance is not what inherently makes the differences between MC/MI/MM.

Like you I own and owned several of those 3 cartridge categories and I found out 2 distinctive characteristics during playing in favor of LOMC: transient response " speed " and low bass quality that’s tight/tied with lower over-hang and better definition.

Some of the best vintage/today MM/MI are really close to those LOMC characteristics but not at the same level that makes the differences in favor of the MUSIC.

MM/MI cartridges have a disadvantage against LOMC cartriidges that is that normally phono stage designs are designed with the LOMC in the designer minds not for MM/MI cartridges where the needs for these cartridges are really different and almost no today phono stages can fulfill it and not only because the units did not comes with the load capicitance and impedance alternatives it to fulfill each single MM/MI models but for the input gain stage .

In the phono stages that can handled both kind of designs the manufacturer treats the MM/MI option as a " side line " been the main target the LOMC facilities.

I still own 2 vintage Grado cartridges from where comes the today Epoch3 and can’t even those 2 LOMC characteristics I mentioned before. Yes, sounds really good those Grado’s and overall it depends on the owner MUSIC/sound priorities but at the end those two differences persist if we have the " rigth " rig to be aware about or interested on those characteristics level quality performance.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

@mglik The kitty is probably empty after buying the Epoch 3, so this may be immaterial. John Wright sold his business at the last moment, and a few people have reported having Decca cartridges serviced satisfactorily by the new tech. There was even a new version of the Reference promised, but I see that has gone from their webpage now. Maybe there’s more info on their Facebook page, but I don’t do Facebook. See:

https://www.londondecca.com/

I own several different cartridges from different brands, and here's my opinion (emphasis on opinion).

Didn't care for ANY of the Nagaoka line (had the opportunity to get them at cost, so I bought several in the line). I love detail and clarity, and I found them too warm and fuzzy.

Love the Ortofon line. Again, have heard at least a dozen representing 3 different lines. Can't go wrong with the 2M Black LVB 250 or the MC Cadenza Bronze.

I'd also look at the Goldring 1042 MM. It's a happy medium between Nagaoka and Ortofon. I'd recommend their Moving Iron 2500 as well, but it looks like they don't make it anymore.

Finally, I LOVE Clearaudio's Charisma V2. Everything that's great about MM and MC combined. However, it BETTER be great considering it's price. 

There, THAT should thoroughly muddy the waters.