Cartridges and DJ Needle - Guide and Overview
One of the most important components of a turntable is the cartridge, as it is crucial for the sound reproduction quality. While some people are satisfied with the cartridge provided by the manufacturer, true music enthusiasts appreciate purchasing a particularly high-quality model.
Therefore, choosing the right cartridge should not be left to chance but it is important to learn about the different types and, of course, its function beforehand.
The Cartridge - Function and Structure
The cartridge, also known as the stylus, is positioned at the tip of the tonearm of the turntable. Here, it responds to the vibrations in the record grooves and converts them into electrical voltage or signals. In essence, the stylus itself, also referred to as the needle, is just a small component of the cartridge, as it includes other elements: it also comprises the needle, the cartridge holder, the transducer, and the casing.
Typically, the stylus of cartridges is made of very durable diamond, but ruby and sapphire are also common. Regarding durability, diamond needles outlast those made of sapphire by tenfold: Up to 1,000 hours of playback is the maximum achievable with a diamond stylus. Therefore, the generally higher price is certainly worth it.
Until a few decades ago, cartridges were not only made of gemstones but also of steel or even wood.
True music enthusiasts often invest more in a cartridge than in an entire turntable, to enjoy perfect sound at all times.
What Characterizes a Good Turntable Cartridge?
A good turntable cartridge should have some important characteristics:
High resolution: A good cartridge should be able to reproduce small details in the music to offer the most realistic sound experience possible.
Low distortion coefficient: The distortion coefficient indicates how much distortion the cartridge causes during playback. A low distortion coefficient is important to ensure clean and precise playback.
Low impedance: A cartridge with low impedance is able to transmit signals with high quality and low distortion.
Good balance control: A good cartridge should be able to guide the needle evenly across the record groove to ensure uniform playback.
Robustness: A cartridge should be able to function without problems for a long period and should also be resilient enough to withstand transportation and storage.
There are many different types of cartridges on the market, and choosing the right one depends on individual needs and preferences. It is worth taking the time to compare different options to find the cartridge that best suits you, the application, and the turntable.
What is the difference between a DJ cartridge and a regular turntable cartridge?
DJ cartridges and regular turntable cartridges mainly differ in their construction and application.
DJ cartridges are typically stronger and more robust than regular turntable cartridges and are often used in DJ equipment used during live performances or in clubs. They are suitable for mixing or advanced DJ techniques such as scratching and back-cueing due to their more robust construction. The sound quality of the cartridge must be very good, but it doesn't necessarily need to cater to audiophile needs.
Regular turntable cartridges, on the other hand, are usually designed for home use or in smaller clubs and are less robust than DJ cartridges. They are generally not suitable for mixing or scratching. Instead, they are designed to provide as precise and faithful playback of records as possible.
Differences in various cartridge pickup systems
Looking at the cartridges available in the market today, it quickly becomes apparent how large the differences between the various variants are. The electrical voltage is generated in different ways depending on the type and then conducted through the turntable arm:
Electromagnetic Transducer (MM)
The electromagnetic transducer (MM) is the most commonly used nowadays, also because it represents the cheapest option. They also have the great advantage that the needle can be replaced individually later on, without having to replace the entire cartridge immediately.
Electrodynamic Transducer (MC)
The electrodynamic transducer (MC), on the other hand, operates with a special moving coil. This is a dynamic scanning system that moves coils within a constant magnetic field. However, the needle in most cases cannot be replaced afterwards, so replacing the entire cartridge would always be necessary.
Piezoelectric Transducer
The third variant is the so-called piezoelectric transducer, which uses special strips of robust ceramic that provide the required signal voltage on the device. The main difference compared to the other two variants is that the piezoelectric transducer can also operate without a preamplifier.
The Turntable Needle and Its Cut
The needle located at the tip of the cartridge is the only component that comes into contact with the record. During operation, it runs through the groove of the record to track the groove. There are also different variants to choose from when purchasing.
If you want particularly good sound, then the elliptical needle is the right choice. It is bluntly cut and can therefore track the highs, mids, and lows on the record very precisely. However, elliptical needles are less suitable for DJs, as they do not penetrate very deeply into the record groove - but for all other music lovers, it is generally the preferred choice. However, elliptically cut needles are also the most expensive option.
The spherical needle, also called the DJ needle, has a sharp cut and can therefore track the deeper areas of the groove. In this case, the risk of skipping from the record is significantly lower, making it an excellent solution for DJs: With spherical needles, scratching is easier and more enjoyable. However, there are disadvantages in the highs - these are more prominent in elliptically cut needles.
How is a cartridge attached to a turntable?
To connect the cartridge to the turntable, the turntable arm must first be positioned in the correct position. This is usually achieved by manually tilting the turntable arm to the side to make room for the cartridge.
Subsequently, the cartridge is connected to the turntable arm. This is done either by inserting a plug or screwing the cartridge directly onto the turntable arm. In some cases, the cartridge also needs to be adjusted to ensure that the needle is properly aligned and located in the center of the record groove.
It is important to connect the cartridge carefully and gently to avoid damage to the turntable or the record.