In this video I talk about the differences between Moving Magnet and Moving Coil phono cartridges. I explore their technical differences and look for justifications for the big price differences. I use as a specific example the latest, top of the range Moving Magnet cartridge from Rega (their Nd7) and compare it with their flagship Aphelion 2 Moving Coil Cartridge. Is paying 8 times the retail price of the Nd7 for the Aphelion 2 worth it? At the end of the video, I demonstrate some in room, side by side audio comparisons. BUT, I also made some recordings taken directly from the output stage of the Rega Aria phono stage (preamplifier) and uploaded them to our webshop where you can download them for free. (See link below). This is the closest we can get to offering you the chance to hear these two cartridges, mounted onto a Rega RB titanium tonearm on a Rega NAIA turntable, on your own system. In addition, I made some comparison recordings of the Nd7 from the output of the Rega Fono MM Mk5 phono-stage, which are also available from our webshop (link below). My question is: Do you think paying the extra for the Aria Mk lll is worth it, if one is not going down the Moving Coil route? - All answers in the comments please!

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
00:29 -Why this topic? Some background information.
05:49 – Why are Moving Coil Cartridges so expensive & What are the differences between them?
11:53 – The effects of aging on hearing and appreciating HiFi
12:52 – The new Nd range of Rega MM cartridges
15:20 – The development process of the new Rega Nd MM range
22:21 – How do they sound?
27:45 – In room recording comparisons between Rega Nd7 and Rega Aphelion 2

Link to the free download of the direct output recordings:
https://shop.pearlacoustics.com/produ...

Equipment used in this video:
Rega Nd7 and Aphelion 2 phono cartridges
Rega NAIA turntable with the Rega RB titanium tonearm
Rega Aria Mk lll & Rega Fono MM Mk5 phono amplifiers
(For in Room comparison) as above +:
Loudspeakers: Pearl Acoustics SG
Preamplifier: Sugden Saphire DAP 800
Amplifier: Sugden ANV50
Cables: Loudspeaker cables: Pearl Acoustics Sibelius Neutral Balance
Interconnects: AudioQuest (various)
Listening Room acoustic panels: GIK

Content Links:
Music:
Chasing The Dragon Records (I’ve got you under my skin’ and ‘Scheherazade’ recordings) https://chasingthedragon.co.uk/
Our intro & outro music ‘Philia’ by Stefan Meylaers: https://open.spotify.com/track/0w9qjK...
Equipment:
Rega: https://www.rega.co.uk/
Pearl Acoustics Sibelius loudspeakers (who we are, what we do and what we believe in): https://pearlacoustics.com/

Social media links:   / pearlacoustics     / pearl.acoustics  
Email us: [email protected]