Moving Coil For Mmf-2.2

[gmw65]

Has anybody tried an MC cart with the 2.2? Any opinions on this appreciated.

Gerard

[cairns4me]

You will need, most likely, to upgrade the standard metal platter to an acrylic platter due to the original platter attracting the strong magnetics of a M/C cart and damaging the cartridge's suspension as well as damaging your vinyls.
Also due to the weight of most M/C carts being more than 5.5gm you will need to add weight to the originally supplied counterweight or buy the marginally heavier counterweight.
I went through this last yr after shelling out the $$ for MMF2.2le and selling it on the bay 4 months later.
I suggest you can verify this with needledoctor.com
The acrylic platter is avail thru Project dealers along with the heavier counterweight.
Once you spend the dollars on that stuff to bring the table up to the standard you probably expected it to be in the first place, you may find it susceptible to hum issues with many M/C's as I and several others on here have done.
As the MMF2.2 is essentially a variation on the Project Debut theme I recommend you read all the MusicHall posts in the Project turntable forum here on V.E.
BTW if you haven't done a cartridge refit on the MMF2.2 as yet then proceed with extreme caution as the crappy tonearm wires easily break away from the cart pin connectors -also as several of us have experienced
Importantly whatever you decide good luck mate. Cheers.

[gmw65]

Thanks cairns. Did you get so far as actually trying an MC? I've got a Grado Gold on mine which I installed a couple of times with no tonearm wire breakage. I guess the jist of your reply is that the money should be spent on a better TT. BTW the 2.2 is actually based on the Pro-Ject Expression.

What replaced the 2.2 and how did it compare? I'm leaning towards a P3-24 myself.

[cairns4me]

Yeah a Dual CS505-3 replaced the dreaded MMF2.2le
Re the 2.2 being based on Expression..yeah but expression is a barely enhanced debut in my humble opinion..
Honestly yeah if wanting to go the big-bucks on a NEW unit then I would recommend something else. Cheers.

[Mikkee33]

Can any body recommend a good pre-phono for the Pro-ject 2.2 I am toying with the Yaqin MS-22B

[gofar99]

Hi, As a Pro-ject owner (one of 4 TTs) I can provide some light here. To use a MC cartridge you do need to get rid of the steel platter. I'm surprised your Grado worked with it. My Prestige Silver was sucked down to the platter and impossible to use. I have the acrylic platter and use a Denon DL110 with the P-J. It is a high output MC and works fine. I did spring for the heavier weight and really didn't know if it was needed. I have also used it with a Dynavector 10X5 and it works well with it too. There are probably better matches for the arm and cartridge for resonance reasons, but I have had no problems.

(EDIT) I use a Simaudio Moon LP3 and it seems compatible with many cartridges. Extremely quiet, unfortunately replaced by a new (and more $$) model a number of months ago.

[Mikkee33]

Many thanks, I actually have a 2.9 in cherry wood. I use a target isolated wall bracket and Base platform, my platter is glass. I have seen on ebay an Origin platter mat which looks interesting also I had an Audion Sterling phono which was pretty good but sadly was broken beyond repair. I have seen many positive responses to the Yaqin MS-22b phono stage using upgraded valves.

I have an Alchemist Forseti pre and power amp and use Pink Triangle Ventricle speakers which are very rare but awsome.

Showing my ignorance is a moving coil much better than my existing MM cartridge?

Thanks again for your reply, happy listening.

[Mikkee33]

Many thanks for the advice and warning. I shall just upgrade the cartridge. At the moment I have Orfoton 510 MKII, any suggestions?

Happy listening.

[kalypso]

As an owner of a debut III esprit with the acrylic platter, i've got no problems with hum at all.

I have tried out two old MC's, an Ortofon MC 15 Super and a Yamaha MC 9, none of those make any hum.

Regardless of this you might get the best for your money when purchasing a better needle for the 510, the 520-540 Styluses fit on your 510-Body and do great.

The acrylic platter is a nice upgrade anyways, since it doesn't ring like the metal one.

regards, kalypso

[Mikkee33]

Many thanks, I will check out the prices for a replacement needle. I actually have a glass platter and have recently bought a ISOkinetik ISOMAT 1 ACRYLIC TURNTABLE MAT which I am waiting for with interest...........perhaps a cheap improvement.

Also waiting for a Yaqin MS-12B phono.

Once again thanks for your input.

[westcoast92126]

Can any body recommend a good pre-phono for the Pro-ject 2.2 I am toying with the Yaqin MS-22B

I use the YaQin MS-22B (stock tubes) with my tweaked Music Hall MMF-2.2. I really like the combo... that breath of life sound.

I'm using a Nagaoka MP-11 MM cartridge (yes, you must be very careful handling the cartridge lead wires as they are very thin). I should upgrade my counterweight to the 75g. option.

[Mikkee33]

Thanks for your input, I'm looking forward to hearing the Yaqin MS-22B. Did you find the sound stage become alive and more forward. I had an Audion Sterling phono which was good but still a little flat. However I previously used a Cambridge 640p which for me was highly overated and poor when coupled with high end equipment. I have a pair of Pink Triange Ventricle speakers, which for me are quite exceptional for their size and value. if you ever have the opportunity to audition these you will not be disappointed.

Best wishes and happy listening my friend.