MM to MC - Stunned - Please explain the noise difference...

@richardbrand 

i took a break from vinyl for over a year to focus on my digital front end. My analog setup when I sold it was MoFi UltraDeck table, Hana ML cartridge and Sutherland 20/20 Mk2 LPS phono stage. 
I just got back into it and acquired a used Clearaudio Concept table and bought a new Hana ML again since I liked it a lot the first time with a new Whest Two.2 phono stage.

Going based on memory, this configuration sounds quieter and more like CD than my previous setup that had a more traditional vinyl analog sound. Completely different. I suspect Clearaudio is less noisy than the MoFi and Whest is a more modern sounding phono than the Sutherland. Not better not worse - just different. No it’s not a match sonically with my considerably more expensive digital source (upconverts everything to DSD1024) and it wasn’t the objective to begin with. But I’m impressed with the sound quality. Walking into the room I could never tell it’s vinyl that is playing. That’s how clean it is. 

@faustuss 

I believe that the MC/micro-line profile change is a large part of the improvement coupled with the synergy of the arm/table/cart/phonostage (Ittok/lp12/MC X30/linto).

@audphile1 

It is interesting how different the sound of the chain of components can be when creating a similar level of performance.  As you stated "Not Better Not Worse" just different.  My rig now has a classic old school vibe of being (LP12) warm but is now so deep, detailed, and satisfying.

@vintageadict 

When I decided to step up to MC and spend the additional money, I not only considered the compliance questions as far as the tonearm was concerned but I looked at the performance capabilities of the Linn Basik arm that was on the table.  I decided to upgrade to the Linn Ittok at 5 times the cost - it matched well with the MC X30. 

When you add it all up from a cost perspective - I thank the audio gods that it sounds so much better than it did,  The Black Ittok is rare and cost a good penny.

Sounds like you did your homework. The Ittok looks like a good match for the MC X30 and a very nice arm. Did you use that are with the other cartridges? The 2m Black gets really great reviews from MM users. I would expect really good results with that combo but only based on reviews since I have not owned one. 

My arm (Jelco 850s) is of similar effective mass so I may give the MC X30 a try when I am ready for another Moving Coil,. I use a Dynavector 10 x 5 Mkii low now which I like quite a bit but the stylus profile of the MC X30 is interesting. Nice price point as well. 

A few months ago I accidentally damaged my Clearaudio Charisma II MM cartridge I'd been using for years in my Technics 1200G. I'd been very happy with it, but when I replaced it with a (twice as expensive) Hana Umami Red MC, it was as big a difference as changing any other component in my system, and probably bigger than most. This was well worth the extra money for me. All this through the same Herron Audio Phono preamp. No noise really either way, just way more dynamics and detail with the Hana (I listen to mostly rock and reggae).