MP stands for Moving Pemalloy, it’s basically Nagaoka’s version of MI, it uses a nickel/iron alloy instead of just iron, which accounts for a tiny bit less mass than traditional MI.
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Here we agree. 
. And I have posted the same elsewhere above.
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It’s not because you prefer the Nd7 to your past Hana SL that MC are not generally better.
You have just chosen the wrong MC cart for your liking. Put now a Lyra Kleos SL for instance, and I would be surprised that you still prefer your Nd7.
As for the RB600 arm, I would not put a Lyra Kleos or Van den Hull Colibri on it, but would first upgrade the deck.
I too however would buy a good MM instead of a surupy Koetsu. So you are not alone.
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Yes Sorry I probably miss read your comments about the RB 600 as they were in the context of an expensive M.C on a P6 RB 600 .And a M.C merits a better deck than a P6 .
Your comments about some expensive M.Cs can be too polite is also true..like the Koetsu.
My Hana ML was definitely very warm and airy highs and transparent mids good taut bass.
All the hifi tick boxes .But it was so polite and conservative..it was a bit lifeless.
Great on classical music but not exciting engagement with Rock music.
The Rega has this vibrancy and engagement.
Having said that theres so many brands of moving coils I have never heard and the Lyra you mentioned.I haven’t and the Lyra Clavis I had about 30 years ago was a stunner ..like a lot of us I suppose .So you are right
Warm regards Ian
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A good MC cart with a matching phono amp can result in something magical. A poor matching can be worse than a good MM.
As a LP12 user since 1986, i just stick to the Linn approach.
It’s moving permalloy. Technically the same as MI, where both coil and magnet are fixed, just a different metal. Usually more magnetically permeable (hence the name). This means you can make it lighter, but also more susceptible to interference. Of course all depending on the exact alloy.
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A year ago, I took part in a demonstration of Audiotechnica MM and MC cartridges with an Audio Technica AT-LP8X turntable and Rega ARIA MK3 phono preamplifier. All the styluses were adaptable to the same 700 series cartridge.
The hierarchy began with:
- Conical stylus glued to the cantilever,
- Elliptical stylus glued,
- Nude elliptical stylus (encased)
- ML (Microline) stylus
- Shibata stylus
- SLC stylus (Special Line Contact)
At each stage, the improvement was clearly noticeable. Between stylus 4 and stylus 5, the differences depended on individual preferences and the type of music. Stylus 4, with its swing, was better suited to rock and jazz, while the Shibata played classical music with finesse and airiness.
Stylus 6 further expanded the soundstage by combining the qualities of stylus 4 and 5.
The most notable difference came with an MC AT ART9 XA: the dimension, resolution, transparency and involvement are a step above the Audiotecnica MMs, which are already excellent in their own right.
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I have many customers using MM cartridges with their high level LP12s. Indeed the most popular MMs here are the AT TrigBs. I think for a balanced perspective on this, you’d need to look beyond the confines of this group. It’s also fair to say that with lower cost MCs, the AT OC9XSL with the TrigB body modification are very popular too. They also have very well designed stylus covers which for many as we get older is a very important factor, second only to sound quality. No hypnosis, no marketing, just listen and be happy, just like Skeptikal here has commented.
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Skeptikal.
Once you have listened to the new vmn60xSL stylus with boron, please let us know what differences you noticed.
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Plug here for the Krystal stylus cover. Easy to remove and attach
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I have long been a user by preference of MC cartridges. However, there are some excellent MM ones too. In modern times the Rega ND range has proven how good they can be.
I do not necessarily agree that lower priced MCs are poor compared to MM equivalents. For instance the Hana EL MC is excellent and hard to beat by anything at the price.
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Many years ago (around 40 actually!) I vividly recall upgrading the Linn LVX arm / K9 MM cartridge on my LP12 to an Ittok arm with Asaka MC cartridge and being very disappointed. The Asaka sounded worse than the K9 to my ears in just about every way. I think I changed back to the K9 in the end. Aside from this the extremely high prices of some MC cartridges these days makes them a complete no-no in my book. Crazy for something that wears out so quickly. MM cartridges can sound fantastic and are generally much more reasonably priced and have the advatage of a user replaceable stylus. I don’t own a record deck now but if I did it would be MM for sure.
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The question is, is MC worth the bother and What is the best MM cartridge?
Hi @PeterJersey
I cannot offer anything useful it terms of specific MM cartridge suggestions other than to recommend what I use which is not especially helpful for you and your context. Have a think about your own context - because for me it wasn’t a case of which is better. I know that a MC cart is capable of extracting more detail and higher quality sound.
However . . . I have chosen to commit to MM because it’s more than good enough for me, in my context. Yes, I could eke out a few percent more in pure sound quality terms but at considerable cost and hassle. I fully appreciate this will be different for everyone, but here’s what works for me:
- The AT MM cartridge I have sounds stunning in my system. ie I am thrilled with my set up which I feel is good enough (for which read outstanding to my ears).
- No additional/external phono stage (or associated power supply) needed when I can utilise the excellent MM phono stage in the amp.
- I highly value low box count (no additional boxes, cables, cable dressing anxiety, additional rack space etc is needed)
- Replacing the cartridge or stylus is cheaper with a MM. I now have what some describe as their ‘retirement’ or ‘end game’ set up. I will replace the cartridge/stylus when it’s approaching the end of its life. I might expect to do this 3, 4 or possibly 5 times in my remaining lifetime - who knows how long that might be? - potentially 20 to 30 years. This amounts to a not insignificant outlay if I am having to purchase MC cartridges throughout my retirement.
- I have no desire to upgrade or move on from a well balanced system that is getting the most out of a MM phono stage and cartridge set up and which brings me a huge amount of listening pleasure. I know there are others on here who have adopted a similar approach to balancing simplicity with contentment/’good enough’.
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Sure. We’ve chatted about this before.
FWIW, keeping it simple - the balances and trade offs - keeping box count down to an absolute minimum, is to be admired. So, very much admire your own approach, one or two others doing similar too.
(Not so sure - in our house - we’re in the “very successful” camp, in this specific regards. But, we are really lucky and have the space in our latest home).
Satisfaction. Also, maybe the self discipline that goes with contentment, is a much valued characteristic, in any field, but specifically with this hobby.
Maybe just enjoy the music more.
R
p.s. while on this topic - enjoying the music - currently really enjoying the works of Hanai Rani and Olafur Arnald’s. (Im going through a piano phase). To the extent my best mate ( wife) is getting a little fed up with hearing the same material being played over & over, for days on end. Comments like “the first 10 times were nice, how about something else now”. LOL 
We have tickets to go see “Go Go Penguins” soon.
Music is being very much enjoyed - with zero thoughts of boxes and upgrades - in our house.
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I love it when that happens - food for the soul!
Today I keep wanting to play ‘Inner City Blues’ by Mr Gaye - Mmmm - one more time 
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@1GiantLeap
Super post and I echo it completely.
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Of course I agree with this. For years I lived with a LP12 with MM plugged into a CB Nait 2.
But sometimes it also depends on circumstances and options going forward. In my case, moving up a level from said LP12 into the built-in phono stage of the XS3, going MM or MC involved the same extra actions and costs. Or buying a Nait 50, SN3 or 222 with a better built-in phono stage so all in all big changes anyway when I simply like the XS3 very much.
Using a Prefix predetermined MC but offered increased simplicity again (well, when it’s here that is, when you have to visit your dealer it makes things more complicated having to bring your amp as well).
The market today has sensible great MM and MC options for carts and phono stages at the same price points from lower end to the mid-level so simply preference there, whereas top level is still MC territory.
So two things really, the “downsizing” movement with one great amp and deck with MM directly. On the other hand the paths available for upgrading one or two levels are now well catered for on all sides IMO.
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@alto
Sorry for the delay in reply.
Changing from the original stylus is quite an improvement and being that this is probably the go to new replacement for the cartridge this takes it forward with technological improvements.
I don’t want to bore you with superlatives but a general all round upgrade is obvious.
Bass is deeper top end sweeter and the midrange is still very detailed as it was but it all seems bigger and faster with no splashy or bright extension added to the treble.
It’s a very much more involving and enjoyable listen.
No brainer replacement whether needed just now or not.
I did it and have the spare stylus for when or if replacement is required in the meantime.
No regrets only better.
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I’ve not much experience in MC carts the only one I’ve tried so far was a Denon dl-103r but that didn’t last long as it turned out to be no match for the inexpensive A&R P77 MM that was fitted with a Jico SAS 1 replacement stylus.
Boron cantilever and Microridge profile for the win it transformed the P77 performance.
For around £300 Jico have a good selection of exotic stylus with boron and ruby cantilevers and higher end diamond profiles for many MM carts I think there is some merit and fun in investigating such relatively inexpensive stylus options for a MM cart. Compared to jumping off the deep end into MC carts and expensive associated step up transformers or MC phono’s to dial in your MC.
£300 for a hot rodded stylus for a MM is small beer in comparison.
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