Comparison of Pickup Types
| Feature | MP (Moving Permalloy) | MM (Moving Magnet) | MC (Moving Coil) | MI (Moving Iron) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moving Part | Soft Permalloy Magnet | Magnet | Coil | Soft Iron (similar to Permalloy) |
| Fixed Parts | Coils + Magnets | Coils | Magnets | Coils + Magnets |
| Output Voltage | Medium to High | High | Low (Low Output) or Medium (High Output) | Medium |
| Stylus Replacement | Yes, easy | Yes, easy | Usually not possible by yourself | Yes, depending System |
| Mechanical Inertia | Low | Medium | Very low | Low |
| Construction | Like MI, but with Permalloy | Simpler | More complex | Similar to MP |
Sound differences
Subjective assessment, depending on model, stylus quality, system setup, listining room and ears
MP (Moving Permalloy)
e.g. Nagaoka MP-200 bis MP-700
- Sound: Warm, organic, detailed, but never annoying
- Stage: Wide with pleasant depth
- Bass: Tight, contoured, not overemphasized
- Treble: Silky, never sharp or harsh
- Suitable for: Long listening sessions, jazz, classical, vocals, acoustic music
MM (Moving Magnet)
e.g. Ortofon 2M Blue, AT VM95ML
- Sound: Clear, direct, lively
- Stage: Precise, but tends to be less Deep
- Bass: More pronounced, sometimes more powerful but less differentiated
- Treble: Lively to slightly metallic, depending on the model
- Suitable for: Pop, rock, electronic, all-round use
MC (Moving Coil)
e.g. Ortofon Quintet, Denon DL-103, Audio-Technica OC9)
- Sound: Very detailed, open, with high dynamics
- Stage: Generous and deep
- Bass: Very precise and controlled
- Treble: Finely resolved, sometimes analytical
- Suitable for: High-end listeners, Classical, jazz, demanding recordings
MI (Moving Iron)
e.g. Soundsmith SMMC, Goldring 2000-Serie)
- Sound: Similar to MP, often slightly softer and rounder
- Stage: Natural, not exaggerated
- Bass: Rich, but not exaggerated
- Treble: Mild, tends to be restrained
- Suitable for: Vocal music, blues, older recordings
