Specification

56 - audio-technica phono cartridges guide - 2019/20
Cartridge-making dictionary Audio-Technica’s guide to cartridge-making terminology
Replacement Stylus
Stylus assembly of Moving Magnet cartridges are field
replaceable.
When the diamond is worn out, (between 600 and 1000
hours) or if the cantilever becomes damaged, the stylus
assembly needs to be replaced.
The Stylus assembly represents between 60% to 80%
of the cost of a complete cartridge (depending on the
nature of the diamond tip). It makes sense, not only
for economic reasons but also to avoid work on the
cartridge wiring or mechanical position, to replace only
the Stylus assembly instead of the complete cartridge.
RIAA
RIAA stands for: Recording Industry Association of
America (RIAA), the trade organization that represents
the recording industry in the United States. Early RIAA
standards included the RIAA equalization
curve, the format of the stereophonic record groove and
the dimensions of records.
RIAA equalization
A specification for the recording and playback of
phonograph records. The purpose of the equalization is
to permit greater recording times, improve sound quality,
and to reduce the groove damage that would otherwise
arise during playback.
RIAA equalization is a form of pre‑emphasis on recording
and de‑emphasis on playback. A recording is made with
the low frequencies reduced and the high frequencies
boosted, and on playback the opposite occurs.
RIAA input
(Also known as Phono input)
Input of a preamplifier section providing the de‑
emphasis equalization needed to support the signal
originating from a phono cartridge playing a vinyl record.
(Note: Most 78rpm shellac records produced after 1942
can be played with RIAA equalization, nevertheless we
recommend you check the nature of the pre‑emphasis
used by the record company.)
Round Shank
Specifically the shape of the shank where
the tip is fitted. Round shank is generally
used for shapes that require no or minimal
orientation (round, conical elliptical).
Shellac record
Shellac records are also described as 78rpm records or
SP (Short Play)
Shibata
The Shibata stylus has two radii, similar to
an elliptical stylus. However, the radii of a
shibata stylus are longer and more narrow.
This allows for more surface contact and
eective pick‑up of ultra‑high frequencies
with less groove stress and distortion.
SP record (see Shellac record)
SP stands for Short Play denoting 78rpm Shellac records,
as opposed to LP (Long Play) denoting 33 1/3rpm micro‑
groove vinyl records.
Special Line Contact
(form factor of specific stylus diamonds)
Audio‑Technica uses Special Line Contact
shape stylus on several high‑end cartridge
styli. The tip of the diamond is such that it
allows a contact surface between 50 and
75μm
2
. The shape is “similar” to other diamond tips
known as Shibata.
Spherical (diamond, see conical)
Square Shank
Square shank styli cost more than round
shank to make but mounting them in laser
cut holes in the cantilever locks them
precisely in correct alignment with the
record groove. This is the reason why they
are used for shapes that need a precise orientation (Line
Contact, Microlinear).
Step-up Transformer
An MC cartridge has both a low output voltage (generally
below 1mV) and a low output impedance compared to a
MM cartridge. The role of the step‑up transformer is to
raise the output voltage while, at the same time, match
the required impedance between your cartridge and the
phono preamplifier.
Stylus Holder (Stylus Assembly)
The plastic part of an interchangeable stylus that holds
the cantilever and the vibrating part, both forming the
Stylus assembly.
On Moving magnet cartridges, the removable stylus
assembly is held in place on the cartridge casing.
Tilt (see also Azimuth)
Tilt adjustment
Tilt is the angle between the surface of the record and
the vertical axis of the cartridge. This angle should be 90°
in order to ensure optimal channel balance.
Tracking Force
To play back a vinyl disc, the stylus must make good
contact with the walls of the record groove. Excessive
down force (tracking force or tracking weight) will
both wear and not guarantee that the stylus will
perfectly follow the record groove. Audio‑Technica
specifies the tracking force, for each cartridge, as a
range of recommended values in grams. A cartridge
given insucient tracking force is more likely to cause
damage to the groove wall than one whose tracking
weight is set at the high‑end of the recommended range.
The cartridge could lose contact with the groove wall,
or “jump”, causing damage to the record as it bounces
trying to regain contact.
Tracking weight (see Tracking force)
Transient Response
The transient response is the behaviour of a system
when a signal is changing from one value to a specified
higher value. Rise time (the time required for the
signal to change) and Overshoot are among the most
important parameters entering under the generic
definition, Transient response. A transducer having a
good transient response will result in perceiving that
the music material is sharp, with fast accelerations,
capable of reproducing accurately and in a realistic
manner the fastest impulses of musical instruments.
On a record, the signal is present in the groove, the
cartridge is transforming the mechanical groove of
the record into an electrical current, and the transient
response of the cartridge will essentially respond to fast
changing sound waves present into the groove. Under
Transient response, the capacity of the moving parts
such as cantilever/stylus/tension spring assembly to be
controlled and not to produce parasitic oscillations is
also part of the transient response quality. The capacity
of the system after changing to revert to its equilibrium
is also important.
Vertical Tracking Angle
Vertical Tracking Angle is the angle between the record
surface and the axis “cantilever‑pivot‑point” to “stylus‑
contact‑area”.
Pivot point
Vertical
tracking
angle
Vinyl (see also LP record)
Vinyl for most people denotes a 12 inch, 33 1/3 rpm,
micro‑groove LP record.
The word Vinyl comes from the chemical form of the
material used to produce LP records: vinyl chloride.
An important industrial application of this molecule is
PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride), the plastic commonly known
as vinyl.
Vinyl was used for the first time to produce records by
Columbia in 1946. During the early 50’s the Vinyl record
replaced the 78rpm Shellac SP record as the standard.
VM™ (see Dual Magnet cartridge)