Pickup heads: features and choices

The phono cartridge in turntables plays an important role in sound reproduction. The Element parameters affect the sound quality and must be compatible with the tonearm value. This article will discuss the choice of a gas station, its features, as well as the best models and their customization.

The gas station is a very important element in a turntable for vinyl. The process of operation of the head occurs by converting vibrations of a mechanical property into electrical impulses.

Head values must match the value of the tonearm to which the cartridge is connected. For example, if you put an expensive gas station on the tonearm of an inexpensive turntable, then this will not make much sense. The production class of the tonearm must be the same as the head production class.

Key features of a quality cartridge:

• wide frequency range;
• flexibility in the range of 0.03-0.05 m / N;
• clamping force 0.5-2.0 g;
• elliptical needle shape;
• weight is not more than 4.0-6.5 g.

The pickup head includes body, needle, needle holder and generation system... In the manufacture of the case, protective elements are used that prevent the ingress of moisture or dust. The needle is attached to the needle holder. Typically, diamond needles are used for turntables. The movement of the stylus occurs in different directions under the influence of modulation of the sound groove.

Pickup heads are divided into piezoelectric and magnetic.

Piezoelectric pickups consist of a plastic body in which a piezoelectric element is fixed, a needle holder with a needle, an output to the amplifier connection, an element for changing (turning) the needle. The main part is considered piezoceramic head, which is responsible for high quality sound. The part is inserted into the grooves of the tonearm and the input connectors, which provides the desired position of the stylus in relation to the record. Modern piezoelectric gas stations are made from diamond and corundum. Needle is located in the metal body of the needle holder, which is connected to the piezoelectric element through a rubber (plastic) sleeve.

Magnetic gas stations are distinguished by the principle of action. They are Moving Magnet and Moving Coil (MM and MC)... The process of operation of a moving coil element (MC) is due to the same physical principle, but the coils are moving. The magnets remain stationary.

In elements of this type, the movement has a low mass, which allows better tracking of rapid changes in the audio signal. Such a moving coil head arrangement has irreplaceable needle. If a replacement part becomes necessary, the cartridge must be returned to the manufacturer.

Operation of the GZS with a moving magnet (MM) exactly the opposite happens. The magnets move when the coil is stationary. The difference between the types of heads is also in the output voltage. For parts with moving magnets, the value is 2-8mV, for devices with a moving coil - 0.15mV-2.5mV.

The development of technology does not stand still, and now manufacturers have begun to produce laser GZS... The principle of playing with a laser device is in photoelectric converters. The beam of light, which is located in the optical head, reads the vibrations of the stylus and generates an audio signal.

In order to select a quality cartridge, you should consult a review of the best manufacturers.

• Audio Technica VM 520 EB. The German device has a well-made housing and contacts. In the package you can find a couple of sets of screws with nylon washers. As noted by some users, the device is equipped with an excellent channel balance that is maintained across the entire range. Frequency response measurements showed a rise of 3-5 dB in the range of 5-12 kHz. This rise can be corrected by an installation that is not provided for in the instructions. There is an additional capacitance up to 500 pF.

• Goldring Elektra. The body of this model is made of medium quality plastic. The height of the element is 15 mm, which makes it possible to place the lining under the shell. In this case, this can be done if the tonearm does not have a height adjustment. Standard frequency response, high linearity. Balance 0.2 dB, tonal balance has a neutral tone.

• Grado Prestige Green. The appearance of the device is stylish and beautiful, despite the cheap plastic. Easily fits into grooves and connectors. Frequency response measurements have established a slight rise at the edges of the range. The output signal is 3.20 mV, the channel balance is 0.3 dB. Smooth tonal balance. Of the minuses of the device, a design feature is noted, which does not allow an electrically controlled installation on the tonearm. It is better to install such a GZS on primitive turntables, since the cartridge has a high sensitivity to the electromagnetic field of the tonearm drive.

• Sumiko Pearl. The Chinese cartridge comes with a screwdriver, stylus brush and screws with washers. The body is made of medium quality plastic. The height of the device is about 20 mm. Therefore, it is best that the arm has a height adjustment. Measurements of the frequency response showed a slight decline from the upper part of the middle and above. The balance is 1.5 dB, the tonal balance is towards the bass.

• Model ГЗМ 055 has a height of 15 mm. This figure requires some adjustment of the arm height or padding. Excellent linearity of frequency response. Channel balance - 0.6 dB / 1 kHz and 1.5 dB / 10 kHz. A balanced sound lacks deep lows.

When choosing a cartridge, you should first decide on the price. The sound of vinyl audio equipment is based precisely on the choice of cartridge. An inexpensive turntable with an expensive GZS will sound much better than an expensive audio equipment with a cheap head installed on it. In any case, it all depends on the available funds.

In order to choose the right gas station, you need to study turntable tonearm... Modern tonearm models work with almost all new HZS. The choice of head is based on the ability to adjust the height of the tonearm. If the base of the element is high, then this severely limits the choice of head. But, as a rule, entry-level and mid-range heads are perfectly compatible with the same tonearms.

When choosing, pay attention to phono stage of the player. The cartridge must match the level of the phono amplifier. This indicator is different for each type of gas station. For MM heads, it is better to have a headroom of 40 dB. For MC cartridges that have a low sensitivity, a figure of 66 dB will help the head work more confidently. As for the load resistance, 46 kΩ for the MM head and 100 kΩ for the MC is quite enough.

An expensive cartridge has a diamond with a complex sharpening profile. Such devices provide flexible and secure bending. In addition, this sharpening has a long service life.However, some manufacturers have a practice of equipping cheap pickups with complex needles. On the one hand, this makes it possible to obtain a deeper sound. But there are some nuances here. A cheap case can minimize all the benefits of an expensive profile. That's why it makes no sense to purchase needles with a complex profile for inexpensive GZS.

An equally important criterion when choosing is considered head weight... The weight of the gas station provides not only the possibility of convenient use. This value is important when calculating the resonance formula for the "GZS-tonearm". Some elements do not have the ability to balance. For balance, you have to install additional weights on the counterweight or shell. Therefore, before purchasing, you need to make sure that the head is compatible with the tonearm.

For some time, a large assortment of heads with a suspension flexibility value from a few units to unimaginable numbers has been presented on the audio market. These heads required the use of different arm models. Modern GZS have maximum compatibility with tonearms. Compliance value ranges from 12 to 25 units.

When choosing, do not forget about the preamplifier. Its characteristics directly affect the quality of recording playback. High-quality sound has the following features:

• low noise level;
• low harmonic distortion (no more than 0.1%);
• wide frequency range;
• wide frequency response (frequency response);
• reverse frequency response of the recording channel;
• output signal at the frequency of 1000 Hz;
• resistance 47 kOhm;
• voltage 15V;
• the maximum value of the output voltage is 40 mV;
• the maximum value of the input voltage is 4V.

Any cartridge must pass through the a specific setting. The position of the needle determines the area and angle of contact with the grooves of the vinyl record. The correct setting will ensure the depth and richness of the sound you shoot. In order to align the needle, some users use a regular ruler. The standard stem-to-stylus distance is 5 cm.

To properly connect and adjust the head, there are special needle alignment templates... Templates are native and generic. The first type is included with some turntable models. However, when using the template, you need to know the basic values ​​for cartridge adjustment, arm length and needle stickout.

Another important point in tuning is the correct value of the azimuth of the MOS. You will need a small mirror to complete this procedure. The procedure is as follows:

• put a mirror on a faceplate;
• bring the tonearm and lower the head onto the mirror;
• the cartridge must be perpendicular.

When adjusting the azimuth, it is worth pay attention to the tonearm. There are screws at the base of the MOS on the arm leg that need to be loosened. Having loosened them, you need to turn the cartridge until an angle of 90 degrees is formed between the stylus and the faceplate.

After the head is installed and connected, it is required wiring the tonearm cable. For connection, the cable is connected to the outputs of the amplifier or phono amplifier. The right channel is red, the left one is black. The ground cable should be connected to the amplifier terminal. Then you can enjoy the music.

To replace the needle, use special hex key. The fixing screw must be turned counterclockwise. Then pull out the needle. When replacing and installing the needle, remember that this mechanism is the most sensitive. All actions must be performed carefully and carefully, without sudden movements.

The correct selection of the device is based on a number of criteria, these recommendations, species overview test and the best models will help you choose a quality item for audio equipment.

How to correctly align the needle and balance the tonearm of a turntable - see the video below.