{"product_id":"clearaudioconceptmcsignaturebl","title":"Clearaudio Concept MC Signature Moving Coil Cartridge, Black","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Clearaudio Concept MC Signature is a moving coil cartridge and the more closely selected upgrade of the Concept MC – here in the black body of aluminium-magnesium alloy with a ceramic coating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTechnically it shares its generator, boron cantilever, micro-line diamond and 0.4 mV output voltage with the Concept MC. The difference lies in the selection: Clearaudio states better channel separation and a noticeably tighter channel balance for the Signature. Sounds like a minor detail, but it's exactly what makes for a stable centre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the Concept MC Signature?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aluminium-magnesium body with its ceramic layer damps excellently and keeps resonance away from the generator. The boron cantilever is significantly stiffer than aluminium and transfers the finest groove information to the coils with little loss. And a channel balance under 0.3 dB is otherwise something you'd need a magnifying glass to find at this price point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you'll hear\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFast, clean, with a surprisingly fluid midrange and fine resolution. The Concept MC Signature separates voices and instruments clearly without sounding analytical, and holds its ground confidently even when the groove tightens towards the end of a record.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is the Concept MC Signature for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor anyone who doesn't want to buy the MC entry point twice, and who owns an MC-capable phono stage with around 60–66 dB of gain. Plain talk: on a plain MM input it plays too quietly, and if you can't decide between the Concept MC and the Signature – the extra cost buys selection, not a different design. Tell us what's in your rack and we'll sort that out beforehand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Concept MC, thought through to the end: more closely selected, quieter, more finely drawn. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil we mount and align it so that this selection actually reaches you.\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; 30 dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChannel balance:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u0026lt; 0.3 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\u003eWhat's the difference between the Concept MC Signature and the Concept MC?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe selection. The generator, boron cantilever, micro-line diamond and 0.4 mV are identical. But Clearaudio states channel separation of more than 30 dB and channel balance under 0.3 dB for the Signature – for the Concept MC it's more than 28 dB and under 0.5 dB.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich phono stage do I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn MC-capable phono stage with around 60 to 66 dB of gain. The internal impedance is 11 Ω, and the cartridge is uncritical about the loading resistance. Clearaudio's own stages such as the Nano Phono V2 or Smart Phono V2 suit it well, as do many other MC inputs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan the stylus on the Concept MC Signature be replaced?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. On moving coil cartridges, the cantilever is permanently attached to the generator; there's no plug-in replacement stylus like on MM cartridges, as a matter of principle. Once the diamond's service life ends, an exchange cartridge or a retipping service helps – get in touch and we'll organise it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBlack or silver – are there sonic differences?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, the colour is purely cosmetic. Both versions are built technically identically and selected the same way. Choose the finish that suits your turntable – this model is the black version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy the Concept MC Signature from HD Zürisee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause we don't just sell you the cartridge – we make it sing: a matching phono stage, clean alignment by our technician, and honest advice in Wädenswil. 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 foundation and electronics among our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/plattenspieler\"\u003eturntables\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/tonarme\"\u003etonearms\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/phono-vorverstarker\"\u003ephono preamps\u003c\/a\u003e. More cartridges to compare are under \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/tonabnehmer\"\u003ecartridges\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Clearaudio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52989498556752,"sku":null,"price":1400.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/clearaudio-concept-mc-signature-moving-coil-tonabnehmer-schwarz-schraegansicht.jpg?v=1785846749","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/clearaudioconceptmcsignaturebl","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}