Vinyl records have made a comeback in recent years, and with that comes the need for a good turntable setup.
One of the most important components of a turntable is the phono cartridge. But how does it work?
In this article, we’ll dive into the inner workings of a phono cartridge and explain how it translates the grooves on a record into the beautiful music we all love.
From the diamond stylus to the magnet and coil, we’ll cover all the essential components and how they work together to produce sound.
So sit back, relax, and let’s explore the fascinating world of phono cartridges.
How Does A Phono Cartridge Work
At its core, a phono cartridge is an electro-mechanical device that converts the physical movements of a record’s grooves into an electrical signal that can be amplified and turned into sound.
The diamond stylus tip is the only part of the cartridge that makes direct contact with the record. As the stylus traces the movements of the grooves, it vibrates the cantilever. The cantilever is a rigid tube with a stylus mounted on one end and a magnet on the other.
The rubber suspension allows the cantilever to pivot so that the stylus can accurately track the grooves. Vibrations from the stylus tip travel along the cantilever to the magnet. As the magnet vibrates, its magnetic field varies. These variations in the magnetic field generate a small voltage in the coils, which corresponds to the movement of the magnet.
This signal is then passed through a phono preamp (for RIAA equalization) before reaching the amp/speakers, which convert the electrical signal into sound.
It’s important to note that there are different types of cartridges available on the market, but many of the principles remain the same for moving coil cartridges as well.
The Basics Of A Phono Cartridge
A phono cartridge is an essential component of a turntable that is responsible for converting the physical movements of a record’s grooves into an electrical signal that can be amplified and turned into sound. The cartridge consists of two main sections: the cartridge body and the stylus assembly.
The cartridge body houses the wire coils that generate the electrical signals, which are then transferred via the tonearm wires to the phono stage in the amplifier. The stylus assembly consists of a diamond stylus mounted on a cantilever, which vibrates as it traces the record grooves.
The rubber suspension allows the cantilever to pivot so that the stylus can accurately track the grooves. Vibrations from the stylus tip travel along the cantilever to the magnet. As the magnet vibrates, its magnetic field varies. These variations in the magnetic field generate a small voltage in the coils, which corresponds to the movement of the magnet.
The stylus tip is responsible for making direct contact with the record and tracing its movements, while the cantilever and magnet work together to generate an electrical signal that corresponds to those movements. This signal is then passed through a phono preamp for RIAA equalization before reaching the amp/speakers, which convert it into sound.
It’s important to note that there are different types of cartridges available on the market, but many of their principles remain the same. For example, moving coil cartridges work similarly to moving magnet cartridges, but with a different design that allows for even greater accuracy and detail in sound reproduction.
The Diamond Stylus: How It Reads The Grooves
The diamond stylus is an essential part of the phono cartridge, responsible for reading the grooves on a vinyl record. The stylus is a tiny, diamond-tipped needle that sits at the end of the cantilever. As the record spins, the stylus tracks along the grooves, transmitting the physical movements to the cantilever.
The diamond stylus is incredibly hard and durable, making it ideal for tracking the grooves on a vinyl record. It’s also incredibly precise, allowing it to accurately follow even the smallest modulations in the groove.
As the stylus moves along the groove, it generates tiny vibrations that travel through the cantilever to the magnet. The magnet then vibrates in response to these movements, generating a small electrical signal in the coils.
This electrical signal is then amplified and turned into sound by your hi-fi system. The result is a faithful reproduction of the music recorded on the vinyl record.
Magnet And Coil: How They Translate Vibrations Into Electrical Signals
The cartridge is the essential component of a phono cartridge that bridges the mechanical and electromagnetic spheres. It is mounted at the end of the tonearm and houses the stylus. When the stylus moves up and down in the groove of a record, it is the cartridge that receives the vibrations. The cartridge contains either a piezoelectric crystal or tiny electrical coils and a magnet to convert sound vibrations to electrical signals.
In a moving magnet cartridge, the energy conversion is achieved by connecting the vibrating cantilever to a set of magnets that vibrate in close proximity to a pair of coiled wires. The tiny magnets positioned between the two coils vibrate and produce a small electrical current. The coils are wound columns of wire that convert the magnetic energy from the cartridge magnet into an electrical signal that can be amplified.
On the other hand, moving coil cartridges create the signal through the movement of the coils. The cartridge contains a fixed magnet surrounded by vibrating coils. When the record grooves create vibrations on the stylus, the coils react by translating that movement into an electrical signal that will get amplified in the phono stage and eventually through your system.
Both types of cartridges do the same thing but in different ways. The stylus vibrates against the walls of the groove, causing either the magnets or coils to move back and forth near a coil. This is how cartridges are transducers that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Moving Magnet Vs. Moving Coil Cartridges: What’s The Difference?
When it comes to phono cartridges, there are two main types: moving magnet and moving coil. The main difference between the two is how they function mechanically.
Moving magnet cartridges have a static coil and a moving magnet. On the other hand, moving coil cartridges have a magnet that stays still while the coils vibrate. Moving coil cartridges are lighter than moving magnet cartridges, and they are also more complex and difficult to maintain unless you’re an expert.
Due to their lightness and intricacy, moving coil cartridges are more precise and create a more delicate sound. They are preferred among audiophiles because they use far less moving mass, which allows the stylus to reach more of the surface area in the record groove and react accordingly to it. Moving coil cartridges also come with more precise styli that are less likely to wear out as fast.
Moving magnet designs, on the other hand, are heavier than moving coil setups and exhibit greater inertia when it comes to reading the subtle changes within the grooves. This means that they are less competent at tracking very high-frequency content, and therefore some listeners may feel they lack transient detail.
One of the main drawbacks of moving coil cartridges over moving magnet cartridges is their cost. Moving coil cartridges cost significantly more than moving magnet cartridges to manufacture due to their small size and delicate nature. They are also more expensive to upkeep since they are more specialized and fragile. The coils in a moving coil cartridge are sensitive and need precise and professional attention, while the magnets in a moving magnet cartridge can be replaced or modified by almost anyone.
The Importance Of Cartridge Alignment For Sound Quality
Cartridge alignment is a crucial aspect of maximizing the performance of your turntable and tonearm, as well as achieving the best possible sound quality from your records. In fact, it is just as important as upgrading your cartridge or turntable.
Proper cartridge alignment ensures that the stylus remains tangential to the groove walls as it tracks across the record. This ensures that the stylus accurately traces the movements of the grooves, minimizing tracking errors and distortion. Better tracking also means better stereo separation, which can significantly enhance the listening experience.
To achieve proper cartridge alignment, you need to attach the cartridge body to the tonearm head shell and connect the fine color-coded tonearm wires to the corresponding color-coded pins on the back of the cartridge body. It’s important to handle the wires with great care, as they are fragile and can be damaged easily.
Most cartridge manufacturers specify a range of recommended values in grams for tracking weight, which is the amount of downward force applied to the stylus. It’s best to determine the optimal tracking weight first within the specified range by setting it to the highest value. A cartridge given insufficient tracking weight is more likely to cause damage to the groove wall, while a cartridge tracking too lightly will tend to lose contact with the groove wall, causing damage to the groove as it bounces about in an attempt to regain contact.
To set overhang, you’ll need an alignment gauge. There are a whole range of overhang gauges available from free web sources, numerous vendors or you can make your own if you know enough about your arm’s design. The goal is to adjust the overhang distance so that when the stylus sits at each location, the body is parallel with the lines on the template. This is achieved by either moving the cartridge in the headshell if it has slotted mounting holes or moving the headshell on the arm if the cartridge has a fixed position in the headshell.
If you don’t use a cartridge alignment protractor for your turntable, you’ll have to constantly adjust the cartridge stylus and cantilever of your turntable. Doing this will stabilize the tonearm and help keep it from skipping during playback. Not adjusting stylus alignment degrades sound quality over time and causes tracking errors that wear out stylus tips unevenly, creating more distortion during playback.
Maintaining Your Phono Cartridge: Tips And Tricks
To ensure that your phono cartridge is working at its best, it’s important to maintain it properly. Here are some tips and tricks to help you keep your cartridge in top shape:
1. Keep it clean: Dirt and dust can accumulate on the stylus tip and cause distortion or even damage to your records. Use a stylus brush or a soft-bristled brush to gently clean the tip after each use.
2. Avoid touching the stylus: The stylus is delicate and can be easily damaged. Avoid touching it with your fingers or anything else, as this can cause irreparable harm.
3. Check the tracking force: The tracking force is the amount of pressure that the stylus exerts on the record. Too much or too little force can cause damage to both the record and the stylus. Check the manufacturer’s specifications for the recommended tracking force and use a tracking force gauge to ensure that it’s set correctly.
4. Check the alignment: Proper alignment is crucial for accurate tracking and sound quality. Use an alignment tool to check that your cartridge is aligned correctly.
5. Replace worn parts: Over time, parts of your cartridge may wear out or become damaged. Keep an eye on the cantilever, stylus, and suspension system, and replace any parts that show signs of wear or damage.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your phono cartridge is working at its best and producing high-quality sound from your vinyl records.
