[net.audio] MM.vs.MC.again?

wjm@whuxk.UUCP (07/09/83)

Unfortuately, my subscription to "Audio" only started with the Dec 82 issue
so I did not get to read the V-15V review referenced in the unsigned comment
(utcsrgv.1705).
I am not going to debate B. V. Pisha's comments (more about them later) but
will merely quote the source of my figures - the separation curve is from
Julian Hirsch's June 82 (pp28-32) "Stereo Review" review (actually I see the figure
is about 11 dB at its minimum (around 17KHz or so) now that I have the graph
in front of me, and appears to improve at higher frequencies, to 12dB or so
at 20 KHz), while the frequency response is down about -3.5 dB at 20 KHz
from the Diversified Science Labs report in the July 82 issue of "High Fidelity"
(pp 25-26). Hirsch shows about a -1.5 dB response drop at 20 KHz, which is closer
to Pisha's figure.
Both DSL and Mr. Hirsch had high praise for the V15-V, which, as I mentioned
in the original article, I concur with.  The V15-V is certainly:
a) an excellent value for its price
b) well suited for many mid-priced ($1K-$2.5K) systems
c) the best cartridge Shure has made
d) one of the best MM cartridges -  I won't say THE best, since several newer
models have come out (for much more $) that may surpass it such as the Grace F-9E
Ruby, which Mr. Pisha reviewed in the July 83 "Audio" (pp. 90-92).

Both "Stereo Review" and "High Fidelity" have listed the credentials of their
reviewers, and like Mr. Pisha, they are well qualified to evaluate the performance
of phono cartridges.
Why the discrepancy in the figures?   It is probably due to the test conditions.
As was pointed out earlier on the net, test condtions certainly affect the
results, especially for electro-mechanical transducers like phono cartridges.
One of the main problems with MM cartridges is to get the proper capacitive 
load for the cables and preamp since this affects treble response.
MC cartridges, with their lower inductance, are relatively insensitive to 
preamp input capacitance.
Also, the mechanical properties of the arm in which it is mounted can affect
a cartridge's performance.  Many reviewers have a standard reference arm
they use for this purpose.  Julian Hirsch used an SME, for example.
This is why it is a good idea to audition cartridges in the same turntable
that you have, if your friendly neighborhood dealer will go along.  Sometimes
but fortunately not too often, a highly regarded cartridge just won't work
with a highly regarded arm.  "High Fidelity" is now publishing charts that
consider cartridge compliance and arm mass, among other things to try and
minimize these effects.
Although MC's usually don't have user-replacable stylii, they generally can
be exchanged for rebuilt units with new stylii for about the same price as
a replacement stylus for a high end MM would cost.

I'd like to emphasize what I said earlier - I NEVER said the V15-V was anything
other than an excellent cartridge and a very good value for its price.  In fact,
I've recommended it to several of my friends who are still speaking to me
after they bought it.  HOWEVER, I don't feel that it is quite as good as several
cartridges (which just happen to be MC's, but as I said earlier, I judge by
sound and I haven't yet heard any MM's (including the V15-V) that sound as
good as these.  Neither do many MC's that cost about the same as the V15-V.)
which cost considerably more (and have even better test reports), such as the
Denon 103D, the Adcom XC-LT, and the Dynavector 23R.
I suspect the main reason that MC's generally do sound better is because
they are less suscepatable to improper preamp loading.  Thus my advice is
if one is considering an MM, either the V15-V or another one, get a preamp
where you can control the input capacitance, like the Hafler DH-110, and 
adjust it for the best results, starting with the manufactuer's recommendations.
Personally, I'll stick to MC's for now, since they're more tolerant of the
external world than today's MM's but am perectly willing to listen to any
new models (Yes, I've listened to the V15-V and like my Adcom XC-LT or a
Denon 103D better - Why? As best as I can quantify it, its that top octave
response characteristic, but there's room in the high-fi world for differing
opinions).
End of flame.
                                                Bill Mitchell
                                                (whuxk!wjm)
Disclaimer: the opinions expressed here are my personal views and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of my employer, Bell Laboratories.