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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
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
Thanks to all who responded to the thread.

To Stringreen. Rega P3-24 table has two front rubber feet that stand inch high, and one rear middle leg. I placed the feet on 3X3 inch rubber squares that have a dense cork center sandwiched between two serrated black hard rubber material. I doubt that is negatively reacting with the Ortofon Blue. I had the table on the same blocks when I used the AT120 cartridge. Nevertheless, I will try your suggestions less the sauce cans
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
I concur with Stringreen's entire post, including on rubber footers of any kind. At a minimum, bypass them for the support structure of the TT. If feasible, remove them altogether.

Rubber absorbs vibrations and releases them after a time delay. While this process reduces each vibration's frequency and amplitude, the result is always sonic mud.

Of course Stringreen's tongue was in his cheek (along with the sauce, no doubt) but sauce cans would probably act as an echo chamber and do something similar, especially if they were empty. Still, their rigidity would be sonically better than rubber and you could experiment with different flavors. ;-)

Solid blocks of a dense metal would be better. Solid blocks of very dense hardwood would be better still. Best of all are well designed and engineered footers that reduce the frequency of incoming vibrations to below the audible range (e.g., Stillpoints). This lowers a TT's sound floor without introducing sonic mud. They sometimes soften transients and micro-dynamics so it becomes a trade-off, but rubber introduces sonic negatives that can be avoided altogether.

I also had a VTA adjusting sleeve and a suspended c/w on my old Origin Live Silver (Rega clone tonearm). They both made a nice improvement, but eliminating rubber anywhere on a vinyl rig will make a much bigger one.
lewm
12,461 posts
 
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.
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