Moving Magnet vs Moving Coil (MM vs MC) Cartridges: Which is the best?

The turntable comprises various pieces of equipment each serving a unique role in producing sound.

Have you ever wondered how those spinning records produce such captivating melodies? Well, the answer is the cartridge, the place where all the magic happens. The cartridge plays a pivotal role in producing as well as improving the sound quality of the turntable. 

Moving forward, you will get about know-how about cartridges, their types moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC), and their pros and cons.

What is a cartridge? How it works?

The cartridges in the turntable play a critical role in acting as a transducer. It is considered as the heart of the turntable which converts the mechanical movements traced from the records into electric signals to produce the audio we hear finally. They are of two types, moving magnet and moving coil.

The cartridge is made up of the following key components:

Stylus: It is a small needle-like component that runs on the grooves of the vinyl records to catch its intricate patterns.

Cantilever: The stylus is mounted on the cantilever. It is a slender structure that vibrates as the stylus follows the shape of the grooves.

Magnets and Coils: The magnet and coils work in tandem. They convert the mechanical vibrations from the cantilever into the electric signals.

You might be wondering how, exactly, the cartridge manages to convert mechanical movements into electrical signals. The fundamental principle that governs the cartridge’s operation is electromagnetic induction. 

This principle states that the relative motion between the magnet and the coil induces the flow of electric current in the coil. Here, in the context of turntables, movement is initiated by a stylus while tracking the record’s groove which vibrates the cantilever so a magnet mounted on it also vibrates against the coil and, depending on the type of cartridge, an electric current is induced in the coil.

These currents have small voltage and need to be amplified using preamps, they are now ready to be sent to the speakers to produce music from the vinyl records.

Moving Magnet (MM) Cartridge

MM cartridges are the most common type of cartridges available in the market.

In MM cartridges, a small magnet is mounted on the cantilever and is placed between the fixed pair of coils. As the name suggests, the magnet moves between the fixed coils.

When the record is played on the turntables, the stylus starts tracing the grooves which in turn vibrates a cantilever so the magnet also starts moving creating a magnetic field that induces an electric current in the coil. 

The output of the electrical signal is small about 3-5mV(milliVolts).

These tiny electric signals are then passed to the preamp or receiver which amplify these signals to produce our desired audio.

Advantages of MM Cartridge

1. Compatibility: MM cartridges are known for their universal compatibility. They work seamlessly with all types of turntables.
2. Replaceable Stylus: Over time, the stylus on a turntable can wear down, which impacts the audio quality. MM cartridges consist of replaceable stylus, allowing you to change just the stylus instead of the entire cartridge. This not only saves you money but also ensures consistent audio performance.
3. Affordability: MM cartridges are typically more budget-friendly when compared to their counterpart. 

Disadvantages of MM Cartridge

1. Weight: The biggest culprit is the heavy magnet attached at one end of the cantilever which limits the movement of the stylus and misses sharp changes in frequencies affecting the overall audio output

Moving Coil (MC) Cartridge

In MC cartridges, the design is reversed, here, the coils are mounted to the cantilever and are positioned between magnets. Here, we have a moving coil between a fixed magnet.

As the record is played, a coil attached to the cantilever moves between magnets following the movement of a stylus that is tracking the contours of the groove. This movement of the coil cuts the magnetic field which produces electric current within the coil.

Basically, the mechanical motion of the coil is converted into electrical signals. However, it is important to note that it produces a lower output voltage, typically 0.2 to 1.5 millivolts (mV), unlike moving magnet (MM) cartridges, which have a higher output.

Turntables using moving coil cartridges need a specific preamp designed for them. You can’t use just any preamp – it must be MC-compatible. These specialized cartridges won’t work properly with standard phono preamps, so make sure your equipment matches.

Advantages of MC Cartridge

1. Better Audio Output: We generally get better audio quality from turntables features MC cartridges. The moving coils are less in weight as compared to moving magnets so they capture more details from the grooves i.e. more detailed frequencies.
2. Prevent records from damage: It applies less tracking force on the records to prevent the records from being damaged.

Disadvantages of MC Cartridge

1. Expensive: MC cartridges are expensive because they are carefully turned by hand. Turntables with MC cartridges produce very low output voltage. This means you need a separate preamplifier compatible with these carts, further increasing the total cost. Also, you cannot change the stylus in these carts, if the stylus gets damaged then it will have to be completely replaced.
2. Compatibility: All turntables are not compatible with MC cartridges so you need to see a manual to check whether the turntable is suitable for moving coils or not.

MM vs MC Cartridge: Key Differences Explained in Detail

Specification	MM Cartridge	MC Cartridge
Design	Moving magnet with fixed pair of coils	Moving coils with a fixed magnet
Output Voltage	3-5 mV	0.2-1.5mV
Compatible	Compatible with almost all turntables	Compatible with specific turntables
Sound Quality	Good	Excellent with a high level of details
Weight	Heavy	Light
Suitable for	Mostly everyone	Audiophiles who look for perfection
Pricing	Affordable	Expensive with the extra requirement of preamps

Which is better for you: Moving Magnet or Moving Coil?

The first factor you can consider is the cost, MM cartridges are affordable and fulfill the purpose very well.  The essential feature of the moving magnet cartridge is the replaceable stylus. This cost-effectiveness makes MM cartridges an excellent choice for beginners and anyone on a tight budget. Despite their affordability, the best-quality MM cartridges can still deliver high-quality audio.

The MC cartridge is for audiophiles who like to listen and feel each and every intricacies of the music from the record. The signals from these cartridges require an extra phono preamplification stage, to produce sound. Before buying the MC cartridge you need to make sure that your turntable and phono preamplifier is compatible with these types of cartridges. 

If you’re shopping for a turntable on a tight budget, consider choosing one that’s compatible with both MM and MC cartridges. By opting for a dual-compatible turntable, you’ll have the flexibility to upgrade your cartridge in the future without the need to replace the entire turntable. This not only saves you money but also ensures that your turntable can evolve with your growing admiration for high-quality sound.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, we can say that, cartridge is the vital part of the turntable that serves the most important purpose of transducer. It consists of various delicate components, so utmost should be taken while handling the cartridge. The selection of MM vs MC cartridge is totally depends on your need and budget. You can base your decision considering the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

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