Hifiverse

Moving Coil & Moving Magnet Cartridges (MC/MM)

Moving coil (MC) and moving magnet (MM) cartridges are the two main ways a phono pickup turns stylus motion into an electrical signal. The choice sets the phono stage gain and loading a turntable needs. Both types fit standard tonearms and headshells.

Stas Ustenko

Stas Ustenko

Audio

EMT JSD Twenty - a Limited-Edition Vinyl Cartridge

EMT-Tontechnik is releasing a limited-edition vinyl cartridge, the EMT JSD 20, to mark the 20th anniversary of its iconic JSD series, which debuted in 2006. This moving-coil (MC) cartridge is being produced in a strictly limited run of just 100 units.
Stas Ustenko

Stas Ustenko

Audio

fonolab SVPER QVATTVOR Quinquennial – New Reference Balanced MC Transformer

fonolab has announced a reference-grade balanced MC transformer (also available in an MC+MM version, featuring a dedicated MM input with a 1:2 balanced interface stage). Unlike many solutions currently on the market, the fonolab SVPER QVATTVOR Quinquennial is designed to work with multiple MC cartridges.
John Makovsky

John Makovsky

Audio

Hana E Series Mk II – Updated EL Mk II and EH Mk II MC Cartridges

Japanese manufacturer Hana has updated its affordable E Series MC cartridge range with the introduction of the Hana EL Mk II and Hana EH Mk II. The second-generation models retain an elliptical synthetic diamond stylus and aluminium cantilever, but feature a substantially redesigned body incorporating solutions derived from the brand’s higher-end cartridges.
John Makovsky

John Makovsky

Audio

Vertere Ruby One – Flagship MC Cartridge with a Ruby Cantilever

British manufacturer Vertere Acoustics has introduced the Ruby One, its new flagship moving-coil cartridge positioned above the XtraX in the company’s lineup. Development took around five years, during which the engineers tested various generator, suspension and body designs, as well as cantilevers made from boron, diamond and ruby and several different stylus profiles.
Stas Ustenko

Stas Ustenko

Audio

Moving Magnet vs Moving Coil Cartridges - The Complete Guide

Generator physics, load matching, tonearm resonance calculation, stylus profiles and cost of ownership. Verified published specifications for three benchmark models.
John Makovsky

John Makovsky

Audio

EAT Introduces E-Glo CB and E-Glo SB Phono Preamplifiers with Balanced Connectivity

European Audio Team has expanded its product range with two full-size phono preamplifiers, the EAT E-Glo CB and E-Glo SB. Both models are designed for high-end vinyl systems and combine tube-based stages, discrete circuitry, separate channel architecture, and an extensive range of adjustments for matching different MM and MC cartridges.
John Makovsky

John Makovsky

Audio

AVID Velsonic – a Reference MM/MC Phono Stage from the British Brand

AVID Hifi has introduced the AVID Velsonic, a new two-box phono stage for MM and MC cartridges, marking the brand’s first completely new development in this segment since 2012. The unit is manufactured at AVID Hifi’s facility in Cambridgeshire and replaces the Pulsare II and Pellere models, while also taking its place as the new flagship in the company’s analogue lineup.
John Makovsky

John Makovsky

Audio

Analog Relax EX700 – MC Cartridge Made from Tyrolean Spruce

The new EX700 moving-coil (MC) cartridge from Japanese company Analog Relax is, according to the manufacturer, inspired by some of the most iconic and expensive classical musical instruments. The cartridge body is carved from spruce sourced in the South Tyrol region in northern Italy. It is the same type of wood that the great Antonio Stradivari used for his violins. The manufacturer promises a sound that “sings like the finest stringed instruments.”
John Makovsky

John Makovsky

Audio

Rega AOS MC – Phono Stage for MC Cartridges

British audio manufacturer Rega Research has introduced the new Rega AOS MC phono stage, specifically designed for moving coil cartridges (MC – Moving Coil). According to the developers, the new model is based on the flagship Aura.
John Makovsky

John Makovsky

Audio

Excalibur Midnight Blue - MC Cartridge with Delrin Body

Excalibur has expanded its cartridge lineup with the Midnight Blue (€1,899), engineered using cutting-edge materials. A boron cantilever, Microridge diamond stylus, and low-resonance Delrin body should, according to developers, provide exceptionally precise and detailed groove reading.
John Makovsky

John Makovsky

Audio

KECES Ephono+ - Phono Stage with External Power Supply

Keces Audio has unveiled the Ephono+, a new phono preamplifier offering extensive adjustment capabilities, an external power supply, and support for MM, MC, and DS Audio optical cartridges - making it a truly universal phono stage.
John Makovsky

John Makovsky

Audio

Segno Maya – Samarium-Cobalt Magnet on Mach

The Segno Maya MC cartridge for vinyl is presented — the model uses a rare-earth samarium-cobalt magnetic system and four hand-wound 5N (99.999%) silver coils mounted on a square permalloy core.

Hifiverse Editorial Team

Audio

Gryphon Audio Black Diamond DLC – Reference Cartridge for Vinyl

The Danish company Gryphon Audio, known for its reference High-End amplifiers and other equipment, has released its first MC-cartridge for vinyl record players for the first time in 40 years. The pickup took the basic design from the Ortofon MC Diamond – but Gryphon Audio specialists made significant changes.

What MM and MC cartridges are & why they matter

In an MM design a small magnet on the cantilever moves near fixed coils, giving an output of around 4-5 mV and usually a replaceable stylus. An MC cartridge moves tiny coils inside a magnetic field, so output is lower, often 0.2-0.5 mV. MC models need more gain, a step-up transformer or an adjustable load, and the stylus is serviced by the maker. High output MC models narrow the gap with MM levels.

What you'll find in this tag

The tag mixes cartridge launches, phono stage news and a long comparison guide on MM against MC. Cartridge stories cover cantilever materials, body woods and magnet types from Hana, Vertere, Rega, JICO, Homogenix, Analog Relax, Excalibur, Segno and Gryphon. Phono preamplifier entries come from EAT, AVID, AVM, MoFi, Rega and KECES, with balanced inputs and external power supplies.

Notable cartridges & phono stages

Vertere Ruby One uses a ruby cantilever. Rega Nd9 is the flagship MM cartridge of the British brand. JICO Clipper MM has a conical S-shaped aluminium cantilever. Analog Relax EX700 has a body made from Tyrolean spruce. Segno Maya relies on a samarium-cobalt magnet. Hana EL Mk II and EH Mk II are updated low and high output MC models. AVID Velsonic is a two-box MM and MC phono stage.

Related topics & where to go next

For turntable topics try RIAA Equalization, Analog Audio and Origin Live. Buyer's Guides & How-To holds the full cartridge comparison, and phono gear is listed in the catalogue. Tonearm and turntable news sits nearby.