The AT-MCD1 is a flagship cartridge with a moving coil on an iron core, considered one of the best cartridges ever released for recording sound. It is designed to surpass even the exceptional expressiveness of the limited edition AT-MC2022 60th anniversary model.
Featuring a unified stylus assembly made from lab-grown solid diamond, the AT-MC2022 offers exceptional responsiveness and transparency, setting a new standard for analogue playback. The AT-MCD1 inherits this solid diamond construction but further reduces the mass of the assembly and utilizes a newly developed Shibata stylus (tip radius R2.7 × r0.08 mil), allowing for precise tracing of the record groove with exceptional accuracy. This seamless design with high purity enhances the accuracy of converting mechanical vibrations into electrical signals, providing higher levels of detail, density, speed, and smoothness of playback.
The dual moving coil setup of the cartridge provides high separation and a wide frequency range for clear sound localization with minimal distortion. Its highly efficient magnetic scheme creates a high density of magnetic flux and output voltage, further enhancing the presence and realism of the sound image. The carefully crafted cartridge body, consisting of an aluminum base, titanium housing, and elastomer coating, dissipates unwanted resonance, while threaded mounting holes facilitate easy installation on a headshell or integrated tonearm.
Built on a diamond core, the AT-MCD1 naturally reproduces everything from the slightest nuances to powerful dynamic expressiveness, delivering sound with clearly defined image contours and spatial depth. Even the subtlest signals are reproduced without loss, allowing sound to smoothly emerge from silence, while instrument texture and prolonged harmonic resonance are conveyed with stunning realism. The flawless clarity of the diamond construction provides ultra-low noise levels and excellent resolution, remaining faithful to the philosophy of the anniversary model, accurately reproducing every detail of the original recording.
Please note: the stylus assembly of the AT-MCD1 is not field-replaceable, but Audio-Technica offers a paid coil replacement program for proper maintenance of your moving coil cartridge.
Package includes:
- Cartridge
- Mounting kit
- Wooden case
- Manual
