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MC cartridge

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What is a record player cartridge?

A cartridge is an electromechanical device that translates the information from the grooves of records into an electrical signal that can be amplified to produce music.

What is an MC moving coil cartridge?

A moving coil (MC) cartridge is a pick-up cartridge in which the movement of the stylus acts directly on the coil. In a moving coil capsule, the mechanical process is the opposite of that found in a moving magnet design. The mechanical force of the stylus is transferred to the cantilever and the coil rather than to a magnet.

Moving coil capsules are generally more accurate than MM capsules, and therefore are able to extract more information. However, their output level is lower than that of MMs. MCs typically deliver between 0.3 and 2.5 mV (millivolts), while MMs can reach up to 7 mV.

How does an MC moving coil capsule work?

In a moving coil cartridge, the mechanical process is the opposite of that found in a moving magnet design. The mechanical force from the needle is transferred to the cantilever and coil instead of to a magnet.

The cantilever and coil move (voice coil), interacting with a magnet to generate an electromagnetic signal. The signal is output through four pins located on the back of the capsule.

The voice coil structure has much less mass than a moving magnet structure. This allows the stylus to react more quickly to changes in the groove of the record, resulting in a more detailed reproduction. The lower mass also results in a lower output voltage compared to the moving magnet design, requiring the use of a step-up transformer or moving coil phono preamplifier to boost the signal.

Frequently asked questions:

What is the difference between an MC and an MM turntable capsule?

MC cartridges use moving coils and offer more precision and detail in sound reproduction compared to MM moving magnet cartridges.

Do I need a special preamp for MC cartridges?

Yes, most MC capsules require a specialised phono preamplifier due to their lower output level.

Can I install an MC cartridge in any turntable?

Not all turntables are compatible with MC turntable cartridges. It is important to check compatibility before purchasing.