Turntable Cartridge Comparison: MM vs MC - Choosing What is Best for You

Turntable Cartridge Comparison: MM vs MC - Choosing What is Best for You

When constructing or replacing a vinyl system, few selections are more crucial than selecting an appropriate cartridge. The cartridge greatly impacts the sound of your records, and in analog audio, you'll be presented with one deciding factor:

Do you select a Moving Magnet (MM) or a Moving Coil (MC) stylus?

In this in-depth guide, we discuss the MM and MC cartridges in an easy-to-follow manner, delving into how they work and sound and identifying which is ideal for your system and listening habits.

What Is a Turntable Cartridge?

A turntable cartridge is a small device mounted at the tip of the tonearm that accommodates the stylus (needle). When the stylus follows the grooves in a record, the cartridge translates those vibrations into electrical signals and plays them through your speakers after being amplified.

There exist two primary types of cartridges:

  • MM (Moving Magnet)
  • MC (Moving Coil)

They all have their own design, advantages, and best application areas.

How MM and MC Cartridges Work

Moving Magnet (MM) Cartridges

In MM cartridges, a stylus is mounted on a vibrating magnet that oscillates inside two stationary coils. When the magnet oscillates, an electric signal is induced within the coils.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

  • Increased output voltage (~4-6 mV)
  • The stylus is usually user-replaceable
  • Supports all standard built-in phono stages

Moving coil (MC) cartridges

In MC cartridges, a stylus is attached to a small coil that oscillates within a stationary magnetic field. Since the coil is lighter, its movement more accurately tracks grooves but gives a lesser output voltage (~0.2-0.5 mV), necessitating a dedicated phono preamp.

Key Characteristics:

  • Lower output necessitates an MC-compatible phono stage or step-up transformer
  • Typically, Stylus is non
  • Frequently offers higher resolution and more detail

Sound quality comparison/MM vs MC

Feature Moving Magnet (MM) Moving Coil (MC)
Output Voltage Higher (~5 mV) Lower (~0.3 mV)
Sound Profile Warm, punchy, engaging Detailed, airy, natural
Channel Separation Good Excellent
Frequency Range Wide, but slightly limited Extended highs, deeper lows
Ideal Use Case General listening, entry level Audiophile systems, critical listening

Conclusion:

  • MM cartridges are commonly used for their convenience, cost-effectiveness, and easy stylus replacement.
  • MC cartridges get selected by audiophiles because they produce superior fidelity, dynamic range, and accuracy.

Price and Value Considerations

  • MM Cartridges: Typically less expensive ($70-$300). Excellent choice for beginner to intermediate listeners.
  • MC Cartridges: Between $300 and $5,000+. This is for dedicated enthusiasts who want superior sound quality.

Installation and maintenance

MM Cartridges:

  • Easier to install
  • A stylus can be replaced without replacing the cartridge
  • Reduced risk of handling and setup damage

MC Cartridges:

  • Requires accurate alignment
  • Frequently requires professional installation
  • Stylus replacement normally entails replacing the complete cartridge

When to Choose MM vs MC

Select a Moving Magnet Cartridge if

  • You're a beginner with vinyl or operating on a budget
  • Your turntable features an integrated phono stage 
  • You need easy stylus replacements
  • You prefer a full and lively sound for casual listening

Use a Moving Coil Cartridge if:

  • You've invested in a high-quality system and desire audiophile-quality sound
  • You do own an external MC-compatible phono preamp
  • You listen critically and appreciate good musical details
  • You're upgrading from MM and desire more realism

Where to Buy MM and MC Cartridges

We at Elusive Disc sell a variety of moving magnet and coil cartridges from the leading companies in the audio industry - Ortofon, Hana, Audio-Technica, Dynavector, and many others. 

  • Carefully crafted collection for all budgets 
  • Audiophile-grade pressings to suit your system 
  • Stylus substitutes and alignment aids 
  • Expert staff ready to help you choose 

Final Decision: MM vs MC - What's Best for You? 

Suppose you're a beginner, an excellent MM cartridge such as Ortofon 2M Blue yields terrific sound and flexibility. However, if you want to pursue optimal analog play sound, a high-fidelity MC cartridge will show you sonic textures that you never realized you were hearing on your records. 

Wherever you stand on your vinyl quest, an appropriate cartridge makes all the difference.