A Guide to the Different Types of Turntable Cartridges
Table of Contents:
The Short Answer: There are two main types of turntable cartridges: moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC). The difference between the two lies in how they convert those physical grooves into an electrical audio signal.
If you're a vinyl lover, you know that the experience of listening to records is much more than just pressing play. It's about the tangible connection with music — from the act of lowering the stylus to watching the record spin. At the heart of this entire experience is the turntable cartridge, but what is a turntable cartridge and why is it so critical?
A turntable cartridge, or phono cartridge, is a key component of your record player. It's that small device attached to the end of the tonearm, where the stylus (or needle) is housed. Its job is to read the grooves of a vinyl record, converting the physical vibrations into an electrical signal that ultimately becomes the sound you hear through your speakers.
Choosing the right cartridge type is crucial to your vinyl listening experience. It can dramatically enhance the sound quality, allow for smoother operation, and extend the life of your vinyl records. That's why it's important to not just understand what a cartridge does, but also what differentiates different types and brands, and how to choose the best one suited to your set-up and preferences.
A Deep-Dive Into Different Types of Cartridges
Understanding the key differences between moving magnet and moving coil cartridges can significantly influence the sound quality and overall experience of your vinyl playback. Let's take a closer look at these two types of cartridges.
Moving Magnet Cartridges
The moving magnet cartridge is the most common type found in modern turntables. It functions exactly as its name implies: as the stylus moves along the record groove, it moves a magnet located in the cartridge body. This movement generates an electrical signal that is then sent to an amplifier.
One of the biggest advantages of magnetic cartridges is that they incorporate a user-replaceable stylus. This means, when the existing stylus wears out or gets damaged, you only need to replace the stylus instead of the entire cartridge. Sounds convenient, right? Moreover, due to their popularity, moving magnet cartridges are available in a wide range of price points and styles. They provide excellent sound quality for their price, which makes them perfect for entry-level or intermediate listeners. On the downside, they have a slightly higher output which can sometimes result in excess noise.
Brands like Audio-Technica, Grado Labs, and Ortofon are famous for their moving magnet designs. Their cartridges offer consistent performance and durable construction, making them a favorite among many vinyl enthusiasts.
Moving Coil Cartridges
Moving Coil cartridges work a bit differently. As the stylus moves along the groove, it moves a small coil located inside the cartridge that creates the electrical signal.
The key advantage of moving coil cartridges lies in their superior sound quality, detailed output, and excellent frequency responsiveness. They tend to be favored by audiophiles and high-end listeners for their sonic accuracy. However, a point to note is that when a stylus needs replacing on an MC cartridge, generally the whole cartridge needs to be replaced or re-tipped professionally.
As for brands, renowned companies like Hana and Denon deliver some great moving coil options that provide accurate sound reproduction and exceptional tracking abilities.
Entry-Level vs High-End Cartridges
The world of turntable cartridges truly does offer something for everyone. A good entry-level cartridge is cost-effective, easy to install, and exhibits good overall sound quality – making them ideal for vinyl newcomers or casual listeners.
High-end cartridges, specifically for audiophile-grade turntables, offer the best materials, construction, and engineering for a cartridge. This results in optimal tracking, channel separation, and sonics. High cartridge prices often reflect the detailed craftsmanship, innovative design, and outstanding sonic performance.
In the end, the choice between moving magnet and moving coil, entry-level or high-end, will depend on a few factors – your budget, sound preference, and the rest of your audio equipment.
The Cartridge Stylus & Its Importance to Cartridge Performance
A key part of any good turntable cartridge is the stylus. The turntable stylus, sometimes referred to as the needle, is a small but impactful component. It physically traces the grooves of a vinyl record, vibrating as it travels. These vibrations are then converted into an electrical signal by the cartridge and amplified into sound.
So what are the different types of styli and how do they impact your turntable’s sound?
Conical Stylus
Conical styli (also known as spherical styli) are named after their shape – a simple cone. It's a common stylus shape and is often found in more budget-friendly cartridges. Due to its spherical tip that makes direct contact with the record groove, conical styli can be more forgiving on older or imperfect vinyl, smoothing out the rough edges without losing too much detail.
Elliptical Stylus
Elliptical styli make more contact with the record groove than their spherical counterparts due to their elliptical (or diamond-shaped) stylus tip, hence their name. This means more of the groove's details are picked up, resulting in enhanced sound reproduction, especially at higher frequencies.
Microlinear Stylus
Microlinear styli feature a very fine, ridge-shaped profile, allowing for precise groove tracing and exceptional detail retrieval. This design minimizes record wear while providing high-fidelity audio, making it ideal for audiophiles.
Shibata Stylus
Shibata styli, with their long and narrow profile, offer excellent high-frequency response and superior tracking. Originally developed for quadraphonic records, they provide rich, detailed sound reproduction and are favored by high-performance audio enthusiasts.
Line Contact Stylus
Line Contact styli have an extended contact line that maximizes groove contact for superior tracking and detail. This shape reduces distortion and record wear, delivering enhanced sound quality and accuracy.
How to Choose & Install Your Turntable Cartridge
Choosing a turntable cartridge is as personal as buying a guitar or a pair of headphones. It’s not just about the specs or the price – it’s about the feel, the sound, and the overall experience. Here are some factors you should consider:
- Sound Quality: This should always be your first consideration. The sound quality of your cartridge should be able to reproduce all the nuances of your vinyl's recording.
- Stylus Shape: As we discussed, the shape of the stylus affects sound reproduction. If you often listen to high-quality pressings, an elliptical stylus is ideal. For casual use or if your vinyl collection contains a lot of older or imperfect records, a conical stylus may be more beneficial.
- Brand: Regardless of the type of cartridge you choose, you will want to buy from a brand that has a positive reputation among audiophiles.
- Musical Preference: Different cartridges can lend themselves better to different types of music. For example, if you listen to a lot of rock or pop, you might want a cartridge known for exciting dynamics and rich, full bass like the Ortofon 2M Bronze.
How to Install Your New Turntable Cartridge
Once you've decided on the right cartridge for your needs, installing it can seem daunting, but with patience, it can be quite simple. Here’s a quick guide on installation:
- Remove your old cartridge by unscrewing it from the head shell.
- Attach the new cartridge to the headshell using the provided screws, but don't tighten them completely yet.
- Connect the turntable's tonearm wires to your new cartridge's output pins. Ensure to match the color of the wire with the color of the output pin.
- Now, align your cartridge using a protractor (you can find printable ones online if one wasn't provided with your cartridge).
- Once you've nailed the cartridge alignment, tighten the screws securing the cartridge to the head shell.
- Finally, set the recommended tracking force (indicated in your cartridge's manual) on your turntable.
How Audio Exchange Can Help
At The Audio Exchange, our mission is to elevate your vinyl experience with our expertise and diverse range of analog equipment. From picking out your first entry-level turntables to choosing the right phono preamp, our team of experts is equipped to guide you in making the perfect choice based on your sound preferences, turntable specifications, and budget.
We invite you to explore our collection of turntable cartridges and help us drive your vinyl collection to sound its absolute best. Your enhanced vinyl experience starts at Audio Exchange today!