If you are a vinyl enthusiast, you likely know the importance of having a good quality cartridge for your turntable. A cartridge is the component of your turntable that houses the stylus, which is responsible for reading the grooves in your vinyl and converting the physical vibrations into electrical signals that can be amplified and played through your speakers.
One of the key differences between different types of cartridges is whether they are a moving coil or moving magnet type. Knowing which type of cartridge you have is important, as it can affect the way your turntable sounds and can impact the types of phono preamps and other components that you need to use with it.
So how do you know whether you have a moving coil or moving magnet cartridge? Here are some tips to help you identify the type of cartridge you have:
- Look at the label or documentation
The easiest way to determine whether your cartridge is a moving coil or moving magnet type is to check the label or documentation that came with it. Most manufacturers will clearly label their cartridges as either moving coil or moving magnet, so if you still have the original packaging or paperwork, that is the first place to look.
- Check the color of the wires
Another way to identify the type of cartridge you have is to look at the color of the wires that connect the cartridge to the tonearm of your turntable. Moving coil cartridges typically have very thin wires that are often colored gold or silver. In contrast, moving magnet cartridges usually have thicker wires that are colored red and white.
- Check the output voltage
One of the key differences between moving coil and moving magnet cartridges is their output voltage. Moving coil cartridges typically have a much lower output voltage than moving magnet cartridges, which means they require a dedicated phono preamp or step-up transformer to boost the signal before it can be amplified. In contrast, moving magnet cartridges have a higher output voltage and can often be used with a standard phono input on your amplifier or receiver.
To check the output voltage of your cartridge, you can use a digital multimeter or a specialized cartridge tester. These tools will allow you to measure the voltage output of your cartridge and compare it to the recommended input impedance of your amplifier or phono preamp.
- Listen to the sound
Finally, one of the easiest ways to determine the type of cartridge you have is to listen to the sound that it produces. Moving coil cartridges are often praised for their clarity and detail, while moving magnet cartridges are known for their warmth and fullness. If you are familiar with the sound characteristics of different cartridge types, you may be able to identify the type of cartridge you have simply by listening to your turntable.
Conclusion
Identifying whether you have a moving coil or moving magnet cartridge is an important step in optimizing the sound quality of your vinyl playback system. While it may take a little bit of detective work to determine the type of cartridge you have, the process is relatively straightforward and can be done with a few simple tools or observations. By understanding the type of cartridge you have, you can ensure that you are using the right phono preamp or other components to get the best possible sound from your turntable.
