What is cartridge load?
Loading your Moving Coil (MC) cartridge has got to be one of the most misunderstood facets of owning a phonograph. Define MC load; the resistance added across the coil portion of the cartridge, normally added at or in the phono amplifier.
Is a moving coil cartridge worth it?
They are preferred by audiophiles due to their measurable and subjectively better performance, however. The moving coil cartridge produces a low output level which requires an additional stage of gain to play at sufficient volume.
How much MM does a cartridge gain?
A typical reference level for a MM phono cartridge is 2 mv. The gain required for a phono stage ( at 1 kHz ) is 20 log( . 316/. 002) = 43.97314 dB.
How do I choose a cartridge?
What to Look for in a Cartridge. Stylus shape: The shape of the stylus affects how it makes contact with the record groove. The narrower the contact radius, the better the stylus will be able to track modulations in the groove. The two most common shapes of styli are conical and elliptical.
How do I know if my turntable cartridge is MM or MC?
The most common thing to watch out for is the presence of a replaceable stylus. If the turntable has a replaceable stylus, you can replace the needle. Then it is most likely an MM cartridge. But if it has a fixed stylus, it’s an MC cartridge.
What is a low impedance cartridge?
Since the cartridge works in the Current Domain, a lower impedance cartridge generates more current in the circuit, and consequently the signal quality gets higher with less noise.
What is cartridge output impedance?
MC cartridge load impedance is usually 5-10x the output impedance of the cartridge as specified by the manufacturer, 1x-5x for cartridges used with transformers. For MM cartridges load impedance is usually a standard 47k ohms.
Why are MC cartridges better than MM?
This is where a moving coil cartridge has a performance advantage. An MC cartridge uses a similar motor system as the MM cartridge except that the magnet is fixed and the coils, which are fixed to the cantilever vibrate in response to the movement of the stylus tracking the record grooves.
What is a high output moving coil cartridge?
A high output MC phono cartridge is also meant for the same standardized loading value as an MM cartridge: 47k ohms of impedance. If adjustable on your phono preamp, treat the input capacitance (measured in pF) similarly to an MM as well.
How much gain does a moving coil cartridge need?
3mV cartridge you will need about 60-65db of gain to get you to a reasonable @2.0V output line level. For a 3.0mv output you probably only need 40-50db of gain. So it’s all about the cartridge output level and the gain needed to reach a standard 2.0V line level signal.
Which is better MM or MC?
Both cartridge designs can sound excellent but the MC variant has the ability to go one step further and reach audiophile heights. Generally, the best value, lower cost, cartridges are of a MM design. Those who are looking to achieve the best overall sound for turntables often choose the moving coil cartridge.