BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO MOVING MAGNET VS MOVING COIL CARTRIDGES

The stylus, cartridge, headshell, tonearm, and phono preamplifier are all pieces of a single puzzle. The cartridge is one of the smaller pieces (though not the smallest - we’ll get to the stylus shape next week) and is often overlooked. However, it’s one of the most important parts of a turntable. It converts the physical movement of the stylus in the record groove into the electrical signal that eventually becomes music.

And while it’s not so important in newer turntable setups, if you’re into vintage audio, you’re bound to run into “MM” or “MC” on the back of a phono receiver eventually. Plus, all the pieces of the puzzle work together, so compatibility and proper setup are just as important as the cartridge’s price or specifications.

We’re here to make it simple. We'll break down the parts of a cartridge, explain the difference between moving magnet and moving coil, and provide some context on the right choice for your setup. All in one simple, easy guide perfect for beginners and anyone in need of a recap.

BREAKING DOWN THE PARTS OF A CARTRIDGE

A cartridge assembly contains several important components:

STYLUS: The small tip that makes contact with the record groove, more commonly known as the needle.

CANTILEVER: The small rod that connects the stylus to the cartridge’s internal generating system.

SUSPENSION: A flexible support that allows the cantilever to move while keeping it correctly positioned.

GENERATOR: The internal magnets and coils that convert stylus movement into an electrical signal.

CARTRIDGE BODY: The housing that contains the generator and attaches to the headshell or tonearm.

As the record groove moves the stylus from side to side and vertically, those movements travel through the cantilever to the generator. The generator then produces a very small electrical signal that must be amplified by a phono preamplifier.

MOVING MAGNET CARTRIDGES

In a moving magnet, or MM, cartridge, a small magnet is attached to the cantilever. The magnet moves between stationary coils inside the cartridge body. As the stylus follows the groove, movement of the magnet (thus, “moving magnet”) changes the magnetic field around the coils and generates an electrical signal.

They’re popular because they’re generally affordable, produce a relatively strong output signal, and work with the moving-magnet phono inputs found on many receivers, amplifiers, and external phono preamps.

Most MM cartridges also have a removable stylus assembly. When the stylus becomes worn or damaged, you can typically replace it without replacing the entire cartridge. Some cartridges also allow you to upgrade to a more advanced stylus while continuing to use the original cartridge body.

ADVANTAGES

• Higher output than most moving coil cartridges
• Compatible with common MM phono inputs
• Replacement styli are usually available
• Easier and less expensive to maintain
• Good choices are available at nearly every price level

MOVING COIL CARTRIDGES

In a moving coil, or MC, cartridge, the arrangement is reversed. The magnet remains stationary while very small coils attached to the cantilever move within its magnetic field (thus, “moving coil”). The moving coils generate the cartridge’s electrical signal.

The coils can be made extremely light, giving most MC cartridges lower mass, which helps the stylus respond accurately to detailed groove information. Moving coil designs are often chosen for their detail, transient response, channel separation, and overall refinement.

The downside is that most traditional MC cartridges produce a much lower output than MM cartridges. They require a compatible moving-coil phono input, a dedicated MC phono preamplifier, a head amplifier, or a step-up transformer (though you don’t have to worry about that if your vintage receiver has a phono input labeled “MC").

And the stylus assembly on most MC cartridges is not readily removable. A worn or damaged cartridge normally has to be professionally rebuilt, retipped, or replaced through a manufacturer exchange program. Audio-Technica, for example, specifies that the stylus assembly on its AT33PTG/2 moving-coil cartridge is not “field-replaceable.”

ADVANTAGES

• Low moving mass is possible
• Excellent detail and transient response
• Often designed for high-performance audio systems
• Wide selection of advanced cantilever and stylus materials

MM VS MC

Neither design is automatically better in every system.

A moving magnet cartridge is often the most practical choice for a first turntable, a vintage receiver, or a system where replaceable styli and reasonable operating costs are important.

A moving coil cartridge may be appropriate for a more advanced system with a compatible tonearm and phono preamplifier. The additional cost is most worthwhile when the rest of the turntable and audio system can take advantage of its performance.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CARTRIDGE FOR YOU

Selecting the correct cartridge involves more than choosing between MM and MC. Instead, keep these factors in mind:

PHONO PREAMP COMPATIBILITY

Check whether the amplifier or phono preamp supports MM cartridges, MC cartridges, or both. A low-output MC cartridge should not be connected to a standard line-level input and will normally produce very little volume through an MM-only input.

TONEARM COMPATIBILITY

Cartridge weight and compatibility should be appropriate for the tonearm’s effective mass. A poor match can create excessive low-frequency resonance, unstable tracking, or increased sensitivity to warped records.

CARTRIDGE ALIGNMENT

A cartridge must be positioned correctly in the headshell so the stylus follows the intended path across the record. Alignment normally includes overhang, azimuth, tracking force, anti-skate, and sometimes tonearm height or vertical tracking angle.

More advanced stylus shapes generally require more precise alignment than conical styli. But more on this in my next article.

TRACKING FORCE

Always use the tracking-force range specified by the cartridge manufacturer. Tracking too lightly is not necessarily safer for a record. An underweighted stylus may lose contact with the groove and mistrack, potentially causing distortion or damage.

IN SUMMARY

The best cartridge is not necessarily the most expensive model. It's like a pair of shoes: the most expensive shoes in the world will be uncomfortable to wear if they're too small or too large for your feet. 

So to choose the right cartridge, particularly if your interest leans more towards the vintage, you need to know the differences between Moving Magnet and Moving Coil. I hope this guide helps you understand MM and MC cartridges, so next time you need one for your receiver setup, you'll know exactly where to start.

Thanks for reading! If you’re interested in purchasing a turntable, you can check out what we have available here. And you can find receivers that have a phono hookup here.

Have a great day!

https://spencertified.com/collections/record-players

https://spencertified.com/collections/home-audio-amplifiers/Phono-for-Turntable-Hookup