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A move to the dark side

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    Posted: 29 Nov 2020 at 10:33pm
Hi all,

Please help me choose a direction.

  I'm at a junction, do I upgrade down the MM path or go to the dark side?

The dark side entry fee would be, maybe, the Elevator with PSU, so £800 then a reasonable MC at say £500 to £1000.

This gives me a budget of £800 to £1800 to remain on the MM path.

So, is the investment in MC worthy of  a MM at the £1800 level?

So, what MC cartridges would best a £1800 MM cartridge?

And... What are your recommendations for a MM in the £800+ level?

It seems the dark side entry fee is high and given the laws of diminishing returns etc. I don't understand how the path to the MC side can be made rationally?

Many thanks
PS

Current system:

Well Tempered Lab Simplex table
Accession MM
Reson Mica
Nagaoka mp110
AT-VM95SH

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ICL1P View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ICL1P Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Nov 2020 at 10:58pm
just put it out of your mind! 😉
Ifor
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Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CageyH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Nov 2020 at 2:58am
Don’t forget that you can change the stylus on an MM, and quite a few MI cartridges, making the cost of ownership cheaper.

For a good MI, but without a replaceable stylus, I think I would look at the Cartridge Man Music Master. This will set you back £1850.  Just bear in mind that the creator of this wonderful cartridge has sadly passed away.

Other options are the Nagaoka MP500, Audio Note IQ1, 2 or 3, AT VM760SLC, Grado Reference, Goldring 2400 and the 2M Black or Bronze, to name a few options.
Kevin
European loan coordinator, based near Toulouse, France.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Aussie Mick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Nov 2020 at 7:01am
Hi,
   I agree with everything Kevin has said. Music Maker cartridges are a delight. Also, if you really like the sound of MM, why change at all? Is it possible to visit a few dealers and listen to what MC does, to make sure it's an improvement to your ears, not just a sideways "different"?

I used Ortofon 2M Bronze and Black interchangeably (same body, different stylus, meaning you can own both for the cost of one, plus a stylus) with a Reflex M. I was very happy for quite a while. The Black in particular had fantastic detail retrieval in addition to that "meat on the bones" thing MM does so well.

I then purchased an Elevator EXP because I was offered a Rega Apheta 2 at an excellent price. I really liked what it did - great rhythm, fantastic detail. However, it doesn't do quite the same solidity the MM's did. On balance though, I was hooked. That's what I mean by if you really like what MM does, a move to MC might be sideways.

I have since purchased an Accession MC and I'm in heaven. BUT!!! When this cartridge needs replacing it's going to be a LOT more expensive than buying another 2M Black stylus. Had I have stayed with MM, I'd own more records, so...

Go and listen to MC systems and see if you like it?
Good luck!
Mick.
Rega RP8 - Apheta 2 - Accession MC Enigma PS -Solo ULDE (Focal Utopia) - PS Audio M700 - Fical Kanta No2
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote CageyH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Nov 2020 at 10:24am
if you did want to venture to the dark side, then Audio Technica offer some very good value for money MC cartridges.
Kevin
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pcourtney Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Nov 2020 at 6:13pm
I have stayed with MM ( well Moving Iron in my case) after 40 years, even though I have heard some excellent MC playback systems in the last 10 years, it is just not enough of a light and day moment for me, but then I'm 60 years old now, and spending more money on vinyl is more pleasurable to me than chasing the last 2% of SQ 
GS Accession MM Pre, Red Wine Audio Signature 30.2 Amp and AKG K-1000 headphones
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lfc jon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Nov 2020 at 7:12pm
Hi 
I agree with ICL1P
I have the Ortofon 2M Bronze It's a bit on the bright side but in my system it sounds fine, some have had tracking issues with it but again it's been fine with me. I'm using it with Reflex M with PSU1 so with Accession MM it should sound even better. One person on this forum did have issues with tracking and replaced it with the Black because he liked the sound of the Bronze but got a bit more If you know what I mean.
Going MC is expensive and like above spending my money on more vinyl is more pleasurable.
Hope this helps you

Jonathan
Reflex M, Solo (both with PSU-1) CuSat50, Lautus, Spatia & Spatia links cables. Ortofon Bronze.
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