Do phono cartridges make a difference?
Do phono cartridges make a difference?
Many vinyl-philes and turntable aficionados assert that a phono cartridge has a greater effect on record playback than the turntable itself, and that the cartridge is as important as the choice of loudspeakers and the acoustic environment where music is played. …
Are all phono cartridges universal?
Moving coil, moving magnet, and ceramic cartridges are all electrically different from one another and are not interchangeable without other considerations. This is because in most cases amplifiers are designed to work with only one type of phono cartridge.
What does a bad phono cartridge sound like?
On the audible side, your records won’t sound as good if your stylus is old or damaged. You’ll hear more distortion, crackling, static and overall fuzziness. Basically, if your records aren’t sounding like they used to — check your turntable’s stylus.
Why did Shure stop making cartridges?
The company will no longer make any phono products, blaming “increasingly challenging” market forces.
Why are phono cartridges so expensive?
Turntable cartridges are often one of the most expensive components within a turntable. The main reason is that cartridges are very delicate and precise component to manufacture, high precision is needed since they have a big influence on the sound quality.
How much should I spend on a phono cartridge?
You can buy a very good phono cartridge for around $100 or $250, or you can go balls-to-the-wall and spend close to $1,000.
Why are ceramic cartridges bad?
Aside from the aforementioned ceramic cartridges, the most common complaints are the poor construction and lack of adjustable counterweight, tracking force, and anti-skate.
How long should a phono cartridge last?
When does a turntable stylus need to be replaced? Most manufacturers recommend changing your stylus at around 1000 hours of record playing time. So if you’re using your turntable for an hour or so per day on average, ideally you should be changing the stylus every couple of years.
How do I know if my phono cartridge is bad?
The needle should appear sharp at its tip in order to properly track on a vinyl record. If the tip is too dull, the point of the stylus will rub up against the walls of the groove and cause the audio to sound abrasive and sharp. Also, make sure all leads of your cartridge are properly connected.
How do I know if my cartridge is MM or MC?
In a stereo cartridge, two sets of coils and the pins represent the positive and negative poles for each end. With the presence of a magnet, this is how the MM creates a signal. Meanwhile, an MC goes in the opposite direction–the coils of wire move in a sideward motion while the magnet stays as is.
When did Shure stop making phono cartridges?
Summer 2018
In light of these conditions, and after thorough evaluation, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue production of Shure Phono products effective Summer 2018.
