{"product_id":"clearaudioconceptmcsignaturesi","title":"Clearaudio Concept MC Signature Moving Coil Cartridge, Silver","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 silver body of aluminium-magnesium alloy with a ceramic coating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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 higher channel separation and a tighter channel balance for the Signature. Two numbers you'd overlook on the data sheet and rediscover in your listening chair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the Concept MC Signature?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe boron cantilever is stiffer than aluminium and passes the groove motion on to the coils without detours. The micro-line diamond sits in the groove with a narrow line contact and reads cleanly even at the end of the record. The damped aluminium-magnesium body with its ceramic layer ensures none of that gets blurred by resonance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you'll hear\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCalm. The background turns black, voices stand firmly centred, instruments get clear outlines. The Concept MC Signature draws finely without becoming thin or clinical – it takes music seriously, but not itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is the Concept MC Signature for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor vinyl listeners with an MC-capable phono stage (around 60–66 dB) who want to get their entry into the moving coil world right from the start. Plain talk: a plain MM input isn't enough, and if you're already running a reference-class cartridge, you won't hear an improvement here. For everyone in between, it's exactly right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore closely selected, quieter, more finely drawn – and in silver, the more understated of the two variants. Which phono stage does it justice is something we're happy to tell you in advance at HD Zürisee on Lake Zurich, so the selection doesn't fizzle out in a tangle of cables.\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, silver\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\u003eIs the extra cost over the Concept MC worth it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat depends on your chain. Both cartridges are technically identical in construction; the Signature is more closely selected and reaches over 30 dB channel separation and under 0.3 dB channel balance. On a good arm with clean alignment, you'll hear that as a more stable image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich phono stage suits the Concept MC Signature?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn MC-capable stage with around 60 to 66 dB of gain. The internal impedance is 11 Ω, and the loading resistance is uncritical. Clearaudio's Nano Phono V2 or Smart Phono V2 pair well, as do most other decent MC inputs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs there a replacement stylus for the Concept MC Signature?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. On a moving coil, the cantilever is permanently attached to the generator, which is why we don't offer replacement styli for MC cartridges the way we do for MM ones. Once the diamond is worn out, an exchange cartridge or a retipping service is the answer – get in touch and we'll take care of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSilver or black – are there sonic differences?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, the colour is purely cosmetic. Construction, selection and measurements are the same for both finishes. Choose the version that suits your turntable – this model is the silver version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy the Concept MC Signature from HD Zürisee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause a selected cartridge only plays as well as its alignment – and we do that by hand in Wädenswil, including an honest assessment of your phono stage. Reach us on +41 44 680 22 00, via WhatsApp \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/41765342200\"\u003e076 534 22 00\u003c\/a\u003e (text only, no calls) or 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. For care and alignment, \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/plattenspieler-zubehor\"\u003eturntable accessories\u003c\/a\u003e will help.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Clearaudio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52989498589520,"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-silber-schraegansicht.png?v=1785846750","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/clearaudioconceptmcsignaturesi","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}