Turntable cartridge

Types of Turntable Cartridges

A turntable cartridge refers to the assembly fixed at the end of the tonearm of a turntable. It plays the role of converting rotational movements into audible sound, which can be recorded or heard. This assembly comprises two essential parts; a head and a stylus also referred to as a needle. The stylus penetrates into the grooves of the vinyl to pick up these minute details of the audio tracks. In simple terms, the cartridge is responsible for the production of sound from the vinyl record.

For vinyl lovers, having the right type of cartridge for the turntable is crucial for producing good quality sound. However, it is good to note that not all cartridges can fit any turntable. One has to ensure the cartridge they buy is compatible with their turntable. Turntable cartridges come in many different types, and each type offers a different listening experience. They include;

• Moving coil cartridges (Mc): This type of turntable cartridge is built with a low output, which benefits the listener with increased dynamics and broader frequency range. As a result, the detail in the music is more profound. In comparison to the moving magnet cartridges, the moving coil cartridges are lighter hence reduce vibration in the body of the cartridge. This delivers more precise sounds. The MC cartridges are usually durable, given that the coils are made of sturdy metal. However, they come at a higher cost due to their quality and are mostly utilized by experts in the audio field.
• Moving Magnet cartridge (MM): This is the most popular turntable cartridge. The MM cartridges have magnets that are not only larger but also easier to handle and more affordable than the MC cartridges. As a result, they provide a more comprehensive output signal. The design also makes it easy to replace the stylus without any professional help. This makes the moving magnet turntable cartridge the entry point for many vinyl lovers.
• Hyper Elliptical / HE / Hybrids: The Hyper Elliptical cartridge is an improvement of the MI and MM cartridge design. It is more extended and thinner, making it easy to fit in narrower grooves. This results in a decreased level of distortion and better sound quality. However, the stylus wears out fast, and maintenance may become expensive.
• Spherical / conical / standard: The standard stylus is robust and easy to handle. Initially, spherical styli were built for entry-level turntable cartridges, but their use has evolved with technology, incorporating them in advanced turntables. They track the record well but may cause more wear on the vinyl and affect the sound quality.
• Shibata: The Shibata stylus is wider and more precise than the spherical stylus. It produces lower distortion and is known to not cause much wear on the vinyl records. However, the price may be on the higher end.
• Razor or Line Contact: This is the thinnest stylus in the market. It produces three-dimensional sound quality, bringing the listener closer to the original sound. At the same time, it has minimal wear on the vinyl records. Nonetheless, it is not easy to set up, and many people may require professional help.

Functions and Features of Turntable Cartridges

Different turntable cartridges affect the sound quality of the record player. So, when choosing one, consider the features that may improve the listening experience. Below are a few essential features of turntable cartridges.

• Cost: The features and materials used to make various cartridge models affect their price range. Entry-level cartridges have a spherical stylus and copper wiring. Higher-end models have more complex structures and use better-quality wiring.
• Stylus shape: The styli of turntable cartridges come in different shapes. Entry-level cartridges have a spherical or elliptical stylus. They are suitable for playing records with less wear and tear. Starting out, it is ideal to get a cartridge with an elliptical stylus. It provides a good balance between cost and performance. Advanced cartridges have styluses that come in multiple shapes. They have more complex stylus, e.g., line contact, Shibata, or hyperelliptical stylus, that reduce groove contact and increase longevity.
• Output Voltage: The output voltage affects the volume of music played. High-output voltage cartridges play music louder than low-voltage cartridges. Low voltage cartridges produce a warmer sound, but they may require more powerful amplifiers.
• Mounting: Cartridge mounting affects the overall sound quality. Rega mounts with three screws offer great value for money. They allow users to upgrade easily and enhance sound quality. The universal mount cartridge is compatible with turntables from many manufacturers. It has two screws and is simple to install.
• Coil Design: The turntable cartridge coil design affects the detail and dynamic range of music. Cartridge models with single coil designs offer basic performance at a low cost. Dual-coil designs are more powerful and produce clearer, less distorted sound at an affordable price. Moving coil cartridges have a more complex design with increased detail and dynamic range.
• Tracking Force: Tracking force is the weight of the stylus on the record groove. Cartridges with adjustable tracking force allow users to change the force for optimal performance and stylus longevity.

Applications of a Turntable Cartridge

A typical application of a turntable cartridge is to play back recorded music from vinyl records. The needle or stylus tracks the grooves in the record, and this vibration gets converted into an electrical signal that is amplified so people can hear the sound. Here, the cartridges become important because they directly influence the sound quality and overall performance of the turntable. This is why picking the right cartridge based on the user’s preference will be needed.

Recording is another typical application of the cartridge. It allows producers and sound engineers to transfer live performances into vinyl records during the recording process. At this point, the cartridge plays a vital role in capturing every detail of the performance. It also translates them into the format needed for vinyl records. At this stage, selecting high-quality turntable cartridges is a necessity because they will influence all the recorded sounds. So, they will have an effect on the dynamic range, frequency response, and overall clarity.

Another application of the turntable cartridge is in broadcasting. Here, sound from studio microphones and different audio sources are usually transmitted with the help of a cartridge attached to the turntable. Using a cartridge at this stage helps to maintain the integrity of the sound signals and prevents distortion from occurring. This ensures that all the signal qualities are retained.

Also, many audiophiles love digitalizing their vinyl records. In this situation, a cartridge can come in handy. Here, the turntable cartridge will convert the analog signal from the record into a digital format. People can now store and listen to their music in digital formats. Because of this, many vintage vinyl records are now being preserved. This particular application has led to the creation of new ways to listen to old records.

Using a cartridge can also improve the overall enjoyment of a home entertainment system. Sometimes, modern audio systems have compatibility issues with vinyl players. In such cases, a good cartridge can aid seamless connectivity between digital and analog devices.

How to Choose Turntable Cartridges

Although turntable cartridges come in different designs, there are some key features and performance factors that business buyers should consider when making their selections.

• Mount type

  Turntable cartridges can either be headshell or slack mounted. The headshell-mounted cartridges are common on older models and can be easily recognized because they are mounted on the headshell of a tonearm. They have an easy replacement process, making them ideal for users who may want to change them frequently.

  On the other hand, slack-mounted cartridges are mounted directly onto the tonearm's pivot point using a torque wrench. It offers better alignment accuracy and is ideal for professional users. However, the more advanced installation process tends to discourage casual users.

• Compliance

  The compliance specification should match the turntable's mass to improve vibration absorption. A high compliance specification provides better control over the subgrade and frequency response. As such, it will track records more accurately and produce better quality sounds. However, it is more demanding to set up and may be prone to oscillation at low speeds.

  On the contrary, a low-compliance cartridge is easier to set up and perfectly works with turntables with low mass. However, it may not track records at high speeds due to frequency resonance.

• Reader shape

  The reader shape has a huge impact on how the cartridge tracks the record. Cartridges with elliptical readers have a better frequency response, track separation, and splaying compared to those with conical readers. This is because they can better navigate the grooves of records. That said, conical readers have a more efficient wear pattern and are easier to align. They are also popular because of their budget-friendly nature.

  Additionally, turntable cartridges with shibata, MicroSUV, and Maso shapes offer better tracking, but their alignment and installation process is more complicated compared to conical-shaped readers.

• Body material

  Other than the sound produced by the cartridge, the body material also has an impact on the overall sound quality. Plastic, aluminum, and magnesium are some of the common body materials used to make turntable cartridges.

  Plastic bodies absorb vibration while aluminum bodies are sturdier and more resistant to bending. Cartridges with magnesium bodies offer the best sound transmission because of their low resonance. Given that they are less prone to bending, they tend to last longer than plastic and aluminum bodies.

• Output type

  Low-output cartridges require separate step-up amplifiers, while high-output cartridges can be connected directly to the phono input. Additionally, moving magnet cartridges are popular among casual listeners because of their user-friendly design, while moving coil cartridges offer better sound quality at the expense of durability.

Turntable cartridge Q & A

Q1: How often should a turntable cartridge be replaced?

A2: This depends on the type of cartridge, the record, and usage. While many suggest replacing cartridges yearly, some high-end models can last up to three to five years with proper maintenance.

Q2: How to clean turntable cartridges?

A2: Cleaning is simple. Use a soft brush and gently clean the cartridge without touching the needle. Some also use a gentle cleaning solution for added cleanliness.

Q3: Are turntable cartridges universal?

A3: No, they are not. Cartridges are specific to turntables based on type, mounting style, and weight.

Q4: Does the turntable cartridge make a difference?

A4: Yes, it does. A turntable's cartridge affects sound quality. A quality cartridge produces detailed audio, while a low-budget one may create a distorted sound.

Q5: What is the difference between a budget and a high-end turntable cartridge?

A5: Budget cartridges often feature conical stylus shapes and basic materials like aluminum for their cantilevers. In contrast, premium cartridges may have more advanced stylus profiles and materials, enhancing vinyl playback by improving tracking and frequency extension.