ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Hi,
I currently use an MMC2 rebuilt by Axel and am quite happy with the sound. But I've also been curious about this option:
with rebuild Shibata diamond stylus and aluminum cantilever € 189.00 (upgrade to all MMC 1 - 6000) TOP recommendation!
Does anyone own one and can share their thoughts on its sound, especially as compared to Axel's MMC2?
Matt
I've just sent my Shibata re-tipped MMC back to have it rebuilt to MMC2 specs (saphire cantilever and nude bonded line stylus).
It sounded a little sibilant to me which suprised me, but it did have a problem with the cantilever (wasn't quite straight) so I can't really give you a proper review...
Axel is very well regarded and a master at his work, so whatever you chose I'm sure you will be happy... I think I just got a dud one :-(
From the research I've done on stylus profiles, bonding techniques and cantilever material, the nude line on saphire should beat the shibata...
Excellent stylus - I have two of them and prefer them to my MMC2. No sibilance on mine though one does need slightly more weight to get the best results. I always set weight by ear anyway.
Peter
What weight do you set them at Peter? I tried 1.3g - 1.8g and it never sounded quite right.. fine on classical etc but as soon as vocals were added it sounded sibilant.
I was absolutely gutted that mine wasn't right :-( I had to save for months (not easy on £70 per week incapacity benefit) and waited nearly 6 weeks to get it back... I could have cried when I listened to it.
Praying that the replacement is an improvement... maybe I should've asked for another shibata :-(
Mine tracks well at 1.6g - the only cartridge I had problems with sibilance with was a MMC20S. My favourite cartridge of all was a MMC6000 but I lent it to my mother in law and it went missing. The MMC2 is a very fine cartridge - Axel replaced the cantilever on one of mine and it was great. He also made the SP2 I use on my Thorens 3000 though Frede sourced that!
Peter:Mine tracks well at 1.6g
1.6? the original specs for the mmc2 is 1g. I have my mmc" retipped by Axel with a Shibata set at 1g. Sounding perfect to me.
//Bo.A long list...