Phono cartridge what is

The most common material used in cantilevers is aluminum alloy, although carbon, boron, and certain copper alloys are often used. Trackability : This spec describes how well the stylus can track a modulated record groove. Trackability is measured by recording the maximum amplitude that a stylus can trace before the signal is distorted.

Trackability is influenced by many factors - including stylus shape, cartridge alignment, and tonearm compatibility. MM cartridges are most common. MC cartridges tend to be lower output and require a preamp with a special MC setting.

MC cartridges are generally more expensive. All of the cartridges we offer are MM, but if you are looking to take your Orbit to the next level, you might want to consider installing an MC cartridge like the Denon DL For more technical info on MM vs. MC cartridges, check out this article. Mount type: Most cartridges including all of ours are standard mount. P-mounts have four slender pins that plug directly into tonearms specifically made for use with P-mount cartridges our tonearms are not made for this.

Now that we know a little bit about how cartridges work, let's dive into some of the different cartridges we offer:. It features an aluminum cantilever, and delivers good musical detail with a slightly bright edge.

The AT91B has a conical stylus, which somewhat limits trackability and playback resolution. Available on the Orbit Basic and Orbit Custom. This arrangement forms the electromagnetic generator. The magnets are the heaviest part of the moving assembly, but by mounting the magnets near the fulcrum, or pivot point, of the assembly the amount of mass the stylus is required to move is minimized, allowing it to respond quickly and accurately to the motion created by the record groove.

In addition to enhancing response, the low effective tip mass reduces the force applied to the delicate record groove, reducing the possibility of groove wall wear and damage. The moving magnet-type cartridge produces moderate to high output levels, works easily into standard phono inputs on a stereo amplifier or receiver and has a user-replaceable stylus assembly. These cartridges have a robust design, making them an excellent choice for demanding applications such as live DJ, radio broadcasts and archiving.

The moving coil-type cartridge reverses the position of the magnets and coils. Two coils are attached to the cantilever and move within the field of a fixed permanent magnet located inside the cartridge body to form the generator. The coils are much smaller than the coils used in the moving magnet design, and they are made from very thin copper wire. The lower effective tip mass of the MC stylus assembly gives it some significant advantages over the MM-type assembly.

The electrical signal that is generated by this arrangement is a low-impedance, low-output-level signal. Spherical diamonds can be recommended in all cases where robustness, easy set-up and economy are taken into consideration in the purchase of a cartridge. It has an even narrower profile than the elliptical shape, but at the same time its prolongated shape ensures the sufficient contact with a wide area of the groove. The Line contact shape is as close as possible to the original cutting stylus which ensures the most accurate reproduction, low distortion and extended frequency range.

The purpose of the cantilever is to act as an intermediate between the stylus and the generating system. Compared to its size, the stylus moves at tremendous speed while it tracks the grooves of a spinning record. What transmits its motions to the generating system? The cantilever. In order that the cantilever may relay the rapid movements of the stylus, it should be light weight so it can respond rapidly to the twists and turns of the record groove.

But it must be rigid, for any bending or flexing would add distortion and sound coloration. Obviously, light weight and high strength require great ingenuity in design and materials. Aluminum is the most common material used for cantilevers, and it provides excellent mechanical pulse transfer from the stylus to the coil system. Higher performing materials such as Ruby, Sapphire, Boron, and Diamond are often applied in upgraded models, as they tend to be even more effective at transferring the smallest of these movements to the generating system.

The generating system converts the motion of stylus and the cantilever into electrical replicas of the sound, which can then be amplified and reproduced by the music system. When a coil capable of conducting electricity is set into motion perpendicular to a magnetic field - or when a magnet is moved near such a coil — electrical current is generated in the circuit.

Thus the generating system of a cartridge converts to movement of the stylus and cantilever into an output signal. Ortofon utilizes a Moving Coil system recognized as one of the most refined in the world, as well as highly advanced Moving Magnet generating technique. In a MM cartridge, the magnet is mounted on the cantilever and placed between the set of coils. The cantilever moves by following the tracks of the record, and hence the magnet moves with it. MM cartridges have high output and are less costly to manufacture since the coils can be machine wound.

When the stylus wears out, you simply slide the old stylus assembly out of the body of the cartridge, and slide the new one in. In the Moving Coil cartridge a powerful fixed magnet is used, and the coils are mounted on the cantilever itself. When the coils move in the field of the magnet, they cut the flux lines of the magnet, and voltages are generated in the coils. That is the most sophisticated - and most expensive - way to generate voltage is the MC system.

Instead of a magnet, carefully handwound coils are mounted on the cantilever, and move in the field of a stationary magnet. All of these elements come together to give you the kin dof accurate sound detail that only a moving coil system can offer. Your wishlist is empty. View Wishlist. Cart 0. A guide to turntable cartridges and the best budget models By David Murray in Features September 9, Written by David Murray.

How to keep your records on point. Into the world of cartridges! Verdict: A quality cartridge system that is fine-tuned for skip resistance, has a high output, and is made with DJs in mind Getting in to the world of DJing vinyl requires numerous technological considerations.

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