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Welcome Licorice Pizza (LP) lovers! Setup guides and Vinyl FAQ.

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RE: CartridgeCompatibility

Posted by mr.bear on January 11, 2017 at 22:38:18:
I'm guessing from looking at the schematic (and specs of the Marantz 7) that the MC input's gain should enable you to use medium to high-output MC. It might not like a low output MC however because it takes the signal right to the grid of a 12AX7, and that probably will be noisy. Some blog guy said it was unusable with a DL103 Denon.

If you're serious about exploring the MC world, look for a higher output unit. I believe the SME arm will be tolerant of a reasonable range of compliance and that might not be the big issue. Output is a big issue. Price / performance is a big issue. And since you're probably not going to drop $2K+ on a cart for this rig, you're into a price class where every different cart has a different sonic sabor. You have to find something your ear lives with, and VA won't tell you that.

That said, I might choose to try a Dynavector DV 10X5, high output (2.5mV) MC 'round $600. It has a modest compliance and I like the DV "house sound." You could also look at contemporary Ortofon MM like the Bronze (5mV) for $400- more compliant so maybe a better match and its a shibata family tip.

I'm going on my love of my old OM20 and Dyna XX and reviews online, probably all irrelevant, but those people have an ear at least. Just one Bear's opinion. Buena suerte!