{"product_id":"clearaudioconceptmcbl","title":"Clearaudio Concept MC Moving Coil Cartridge, Black","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Clearaudio Concept MC is a moving coil cartridge that marks the entry point into Clearaudio's MC range – here in the black housing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA moving coil generates its voltage through moving coils rather than a moving magnet. That usually brings finer resolution, but calls for an MC-capable phono stage. At 0.4 mV, the Concept MC puts out considerably more level than many of its peers – so your phono stage doesn't need to go into overdrive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the Concept MC?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMicro-line diamond on a boron cantilever: two components you rarely find together at this level. The line-contact profile reads the groove more finely than a spherical one, and the stiff boron cantilever passes the motion on to the coils with little loss. Add to that a body made of aluminium-magnesium alloy with a ceramic coating, which keeps resonance away from the generator.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you'll hear\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore light and air than the MM cartridges in the Concept family: finer treble detail, more stable imaging, a tidier space between instruments. The Concept MC still stays musical rather than over-analytical though – an honest first moving coil, not a keener that throws every poorly pressed record in your face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is the Concept MC for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor anyone moving from MM to moving coil who has an MC-capable phono stage, or is planning one in. Plain talk: nothing works here without an MC input – with only an MM input you're better off with a Concept MM, or upgrading the phono stage first. And if you like changing the stylus yourself, you should know: on an MC that's not possible in principle, more on that below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe gateway into Clearaudio's moving coil world, with a spec sheet that's rare at this level. Whether your phono stage plays along is something we can clarify at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil in a two-minute phone call – better beforehand than after.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e moving coil (MC)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutput voltage:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.4 mV (5 cm\/s)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency response:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 Hz – 20 kHz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChannel separation:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u0026gt; 28 dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChannel balance:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u0026lt; 0.5 dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStylus profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e Micro Line\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCantilever:\u003c\/strong\u003e boron\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTracking ability:\u003c\/strong\u003e 80 µm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended tracking force:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.2 g (± 0.2 g)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInternal impedance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 11 Ω\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStylus compliance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9 µm\/mN\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoil material:\u003c\/strong\u003e copper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBody:\u003c\/strong\u003e aluminium-magnesium alloy with ceramic coating, black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.0 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMount:\u003c\/strong\u003e ½ inch standard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWarranty:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 years (if registered within 14 days)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes the Concept MC need an MC phono stage?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. With 0.4 mV output voltage and 11 Ω internal impedance, it belongs on an MC input – a plain MM input is too insensitive. The good news: 0.4 mV is a lot of level for a moving coil, so a solid MC stage is enough, no special device with maximum gain required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I change the stylus on the Concept MC myself?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. On a moving coil cartridge, the cantilever is fixed to the generator, so there's no plug-in replacement stylus like on MM cartridges, as a matter of principle. Once the diamond wears out after some years, that's handled through an exchange cartridge or retipping – you hand in the old cartridge, we arrange the replacement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long does the diamond last?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClearaudio states up to 8000 hours for its diamonds, with careful handling and correct alignment. If you listen to records for an hour a day, that's many years' use. Cleaning the stylus regularly from back to front and playing clean records extends its life noticeably.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's the difference between the black and silver versions?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly the finish. Black and silver are technically and sonically identical: same generator, same stylus, same measurements. You choose based on taste and what visually suits your turntable and tonearm – you're not giving anything up sonically.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy the Concept MC from HD Zürisee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause mounting and aligning an MC is a craft, and we'll tell you honestly whether your phono stage is up to it. As an authorised Clearaudio dealer, we handle the warranty properly. Call us on +41 44 680 22 00, message us on WhatsApp at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/41765342200\"\u003e076 534 22 00\u003c\/a\u003e (text only, no calls) or write to shop@hdzuerisee.ch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou'll find the right electronics among our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/phono-vorverstarker\"\u003ephono preamps\u003c\/a\u003e, and the right foundation among our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/plattenspieler\"\u003eturntables\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/tonarme\"\u003etonearms\u003c\/a\u003e. To compare, take a look at all our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/tonabnehmer\"\u003ecartridges\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Clearaudio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52989498491216,"sku":null,"price":950.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/clearaudio-concept-mc-moving-coil-tonabnehmer-schwarz-schraegansicht.jpg?v=1785846750","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/clearaudioconceptmcbl","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}