• When should I replace my phono cartridge?
  Assuming you are not looking to upgrade performance, the only three reasons for replacing an entire cartridge is if a channel should go dead, if it develops an un-solvable hummm, or if it will no longer hold the stylus securely.
• What can I expect from a cartridge upgrade?
  - All cartridges sound different. This is due mainly to variations in frequency response, distortion, and microphonics. These produce different forms of colorations to the sound. Moving iron cartridges tend to sound more full and "warm" in the mid bass registers. Moving coil cartridges are more transparent and offer the greatest harmonic integrity. Moving magnet designs offer the best compromise.
  - The other issue is the stylus. The stylus will influence the overall consistency of the sound. This is really where the cost factor plays an important part. Styli that track difficult passages without breaking up require low mass cantilevers and line contact styli. these are expensive to make.
• Are Moving coil cartridges really better?
  - Though all moving coil designs will give you a glimpse of the magical sound of vinyl, not all designs are the same. Large variations in frequency response and large amounts of wire(to make hi outputs) can mar the true potential of a moving coil. The low output MC's are the best but will require a very quiet phono preamp for the best match.
  - Think of the ideal cartridge being a single turn of wire in a strong magnetic field. This ideal however, will not make enough signal so there must be many turns of wire to make a decent generator. The more wire, the more interaction between turns, and that is the compromise that mars the soundstage.For the ultimate vinyl experience, a low output moving coil design is the best choice.
• How do I match a cartridge with my turntable?
  There are several issues here. The first is purely technical, the cartridge compliance must match the tonearm mass for proper performance on warps. All of our hi fi and audiohile cartridges are designed to match the most popular tonearms. Many inexpensive "DJ" turntables use fairly hi mass tonearms, and should be used only with DJ cartridges.
  - Cost is an issue. Unless you bought a used turntable of hi value, it seems ill advised to spend more on a cartridge then you did on the turntable. This is especially true if your turntable has little or no specifications supplied with it. If you know the performance parameters of your turntable and tonearm well, then you are qualified to make your own decision here.
• Will any cartridge work with these new straight DJ tonearms?
  Straight tonearms are a re-appearance of the "underhung" tonearm designed in the late 40's for portable and miniature designs.
  They are intended for Scratch DJ applications. By design, the needle is more secure in the groove during backwards movement of the platter- But at a cost.
  These designs should only use conical or spherical styli and the entire line of sight from pivot to stylus must remain straight. DO NOT OFFSET THE CARTRIDGE. The underhung tonearm exhibits a maximum tracking error of 18° . (By comparison, a conventional offset arm exhibits <2° of error). KAB does not reccomend these turntables for home use.
  Warning: Use of elliptical styli in DJ straight tonearms may do harm to the record being played. Use only conical or spherical styli.
• Can a stereo cartridge be used for Mono?
  Yes. any stereo cartridge can be wired for Mono by connecting the (+) terminals together and the (-) terminals together. Though for the best mono reproduction, it is better to actively mix the two signals further down the line if possible.
• Can a stereo cartridge be used for vertical cut records?
  Yes. Any stereo cartridge will retreive vertically cut information. To do this, locate the channel that doesn't have the ground strap on it. Now reverse the two connections + to - and - to +. Now, strap the 2 channels together either at the cartridge or with a "Y" cord at the stereo. Now, the lateral information will cancel and the vertical information will sum.
• Can I solder directly to the cartridge pins?
  No. Never solder directly to a cartridge, for it will destroy the cartridge. Always use connectors to attach to the pins on the back of a cartridge.
• If I have the Pfanstiehl Tetrad Part Number, do I still need to get a quote?
  No. The price of tetrads is fixed. Just select the part number, click FINISH and add it to your cart.
  
• My Stanton Cartridge is not listed. Is there are substitute?
  Click here for the Stanton interchangeablility list. There is a good chance there is a substitute.
• What's the difference between Hi Fi and DJ cartridges?
  The difference is all in the stylus assembly.
  Hi Fi Styli are designed to track lightly giving good performance while being kind to your records.
  DJ styli are designed for rougher handling, back cueing and to stand up to the rigors of the club environment. For home use, Hi Fi styli will always give the best sound.
• Can I replace a crystal cartridge with a ceramic cartridge?
  You can if the tracking force is the same. Our ceramic cartridges track at under 6 grams. I have successfully replaced the cartridges in many RCA 45 rpm players this way. The audio level will be a little lower, but that has never proved to be a problem. The biggest problem is with older sets that need to track heavier. I can only reccomend trying to find the original cartridge or somehow reworking the tonearm weight.

• Moving Magnet: A moving magnet design features a small magnet affixed to the rear of the stylus cantilever. The electrical circuit consists of coils of wire wound on a iron core.
  
  
• Moving Iron: A moving iron design features a small iron element affixed to the rear of the stylus cantilever . The electrical circuit consists of coils of wire wound on a magnetic core.
  
  
• Moving Coil: A moving coil design features an electrical coil wound directly on the end of the stylus cantilever. this is immersed in a strong magnetic field. Unlike all the other technologies, the moving coil stylus is a permanent part of the cartridge and is not replaceable.
  
  
• Ceramic Cartridge: A ceramic cartridge features the stylus cantilever in physical contact with a slender metalized ceramic element. The ceramic element , when flexed by the stylus generates electricity via the peizo electric effect.

 
 OUTPUT(@5CM/S)
  mV
 SENSITIVITY
  mV
 GAIN            MAX OUT
  dB           Vrms

 
OPTIMUM GAIN
 dB
GAIN       
 dB  
OVERLOAD
 mV@1kHz

GAIN FACTOR
 X @ 25hZ

Chart of Typical Gain Values
Output                  Gain
3 - 6 mV                36dB
1 - 3 mV                43dB
0.3 - 1.0 mV            53dB
0.15 - 0.3 mV           60DB

CARTRIDGE LOADING
A phono cartridge has an electrical circuit which consists of coils of wire. These coils have electrical resistance and inductance, parameters which make them sensitive to the resistive and capacitive loading created by the tonearm wiring, interconnects and internal circuitry of your preamp. Manufacturer's specify the proper load resistance and capacitance with each cartridge. The cartridge will present the flattest frequency response when the manufacturer's recommended load is observed. Improperly loaded cartridges exhibit frequency response dips and peaks and often emphasize surface noise.

1. The capacitance per foot of your interconnects
2. The capacitance of the internal tone arm wiring
3. The load components inside your preamp

• Standard Mount: Standard mount cartridges attach with two screws on top ½" apart. They have 4 pins on the rear to accommodate the tonearm wires.
  
  
• P-Mount T4P: P-Mount cartridges, often called universal mount cartridges, are designed primarily for turntables with tonearms that terminate in the familiar square T4P socket. The cartridge plugs in and is held with a single screw on the right hand side. They usually include an adapter so they can also be used in standard mount tonearms.
  
• Stanton Stylus Interchangeability? Click Here!

• The Control Bar which features the Subject and click on points for Page, Frequently Asked Questions, Additional Subject Information and the Help page your viewing now. Use the Control Bar to navigate through the Index.
  
  
• The MORE Button takes you to a full detailed page on that model.
  
  
• The Shopping Cart Buttons
  1 Quantity, Buy Now control your ordering activity. Select the Quantity and left click the Buy Now button to place the item in your cart. Left click the Show Cart button to see what you have purchased so far.
  
  
• Java Script Errors
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