Testine e bracci per giradischi

Testine e bracci per giradischi

The cartridge is the component that reads the record groove: the stylus follows the modulations engraved in the vinyl and transforms them into an electrical signal. The tonearm supports it and guides it along the record. Together, they affect the turntable's sound more than any other component, and changing the cartridge is often the easiest way to improve the sound of your vinyl. In this category, you'll find turntable cartridges for every level, replacement styli, and tonearms for those looking to upgrade or complete their turntable.

MM, MC and MI cartridges

Moving magnet (MM) cartridges are the most common: they have a high output, work with almost any phono input, and often allow only the stylus to be replaced. Moving coil (MC) cartridges have a lower output and are chosen by many enthusiasts for their detail and refinement; they exist in low-output versions and, for some models, high-output versions. Moving iron (MI) cartridges are another variant, with similar connection behavior to MMs.

Head exit and prephono stage

Before choosing a cartridge, check what your system can handle. A high-output moving magnet or moving coil connects to a standard moving coil phono input; a low-output moving coil requires a preamplifier with a moving coil input or a step-up transformer. The cartridge's specifications also include the recommended loading: following it helps achieve the tonal balance intended by the manufacturer.

Weight, arm and mounting

The cartridge and tonearm must be compatible. The weight of the cartridge, which must be within the range the tonearm can balance, and the ratio between the tonearm's mass and the cartridge's compliance are important: a correct match avoids resonances and tracking problems. After assembly, the tracking force, anti-skating, and alignment should be adjusted with a jig. operaSolutions available to anyone with a little patience. Some turntables use pre-mounted headshells or bayonet-mount cartridges, which simplify replacement.

When to replace the stylus

The stylus wears out with use. If you notice distortion on loud passages, harsher sibilance, or a loss of detail, it might be time to replace it. On many moving magnet cartridges, simply replacing the stylus is sufficient, costing less than a new cartridge; on MC cartridges, the entire cartridge is usually replaced.

Heads and arms from Audiocostruzioni

Our selection of new cartridges includes Ortofon, Sumiko, Clearaudio, Van den Hul, Audio-Technica, Gold Note, and Denon, as well as Jico replacement styli and options from Pro-Ject and Michell. Among our customers' most popular cartridges are the Sumiko Pearl, Ortofon 2M Red, Sumiko Moonstone, and Denon DL-103R. If you're looking for a complete turntable, check out our turntable category.

Audiocostruzioni It's a hi-fi store with a showroom and listening room in Carpi (MO), where you can listen to cartridges and turntables live, and we also sell and ship online. For advice on the right cartridge for your tonearm, email us, and if you'd like to upgrade your turntable, we'll gladly consider a trade-in.