Phono Cartridges--A Buyers Guide from Micro-Acoustics
The phonograph record is a mechanical replica of musical performance. The job of the phono cartridge is to convert complex undulations of the record groove into an electrical signal.
Here's how the different kinds of phono cartridges compare in function, performance and manufacture. This chart has been prepared to help you make the appropriate choice for your budget and music system. The information encompasses the range of performance characteristics for each type of cartridge. Date's compiled from manufacturers' literature and the results obtained at Micro-Acoustics cartridge clinics held throughout the U.S.A.
Performance Categories
Crystal, Ceramic
Bearing
Operation Principle:
Stylus bar moved by record groove under heavy tracking pressure (3-8 grams). Bar's motion bends crystal element causing output signal.
Stylus bar moved by record groove. Magnet armature vibrates between pole pieces, causing change in flux, and inducing signal in output coil.
Stylus bar moved by record groove. Iron armature vibrates between pole pieces, changing reluctance of magnetic path, and inducing signal in output coil.
Stylus bar moved by record groove. As coil vibrates through magnetic field, signal is induced in coil and fed to step-up transformer or pre-preamp.
Stylus bar moved by record groove. Stylus bar vibrates electrets through resolver and pivots, producing signal which is fed to microcircuit.
Tracking Ability Poor to Fair Good to Excellent Good to Excellent Good to Very Good Very Good to Excellent Transient Ability (rise time in microseconds) 60 to 100 30 to 60 25 to 50 20 to 30 17 to 20 Freq. Resp.
Variation Due to Loading with Pre-Amp, Cables
--4dB below 1000Hz (plugs directly into amp input)
-10dB to
+6 above 3kHz
-12dB to
+4 above 3kHz
± 0.5 dB over entire range
± 0.5 dB over entire range
Ability to Perform In Variety of Tonearms
Works in low cost units only Good to Very Good Fair to Very Good Fair to Very Good Very Good to Excellent Ability to Track Warped Records Poor to Good Fair to Good Fair to Good Fair to Good Very Good to Excellent Cartridge Body Weight 5 to 10 grams 6 to 8 grams 5.5 to 7 grams 7 to 11 grams 4 to 5.25 grams User Replaceable Stylus Yes
Yes Usually Not Yes Method of Manufacture Mass Production Mass Production Mass Production Precision Handmade Precision Handmade Cost Range Least Expensive Inexpensive to Moderate Inexpensive to Moderate Expensive to Very Expensive Moderate to Expensive Warranty 90 days (limited) 90 days to 1 year (limited) 90 days to 1 year (limited) 90 days to 1 year (limited) 2 years (full)
All cartridges show single channel only.
1977 Micro Acoustics. Corp
Micro-Acoustics
8 Westchester Plaza, Elmsford. N.Y. 10523
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