Audio-Technica AT-MCD1 Dual Moving Coil Stereo Cartridge

Product Description

The Audio-Technica AT-MCD1 is a flagship dual moving coil stereo cartridge engineered for reference-level analog playback. Designed as one of Audio-Technica’s highest-performance phono cartridges, the AT-MCD1 builds on the innovation of the limited-edition AT-MC2022 with a unified stylus-cantilever made from a single lab-grown diamond, reducing distortion and preserving the finest details from your vinyl records.

With its newly developed Shibata stylus, lightweight 0.22 mm square diamond cantilever, dual PCOCC moving coils, and precision magnetic circuit, the AT-MCD1 delivers exceptional channel separation, lifelike imaging, wide frequency response, and ultra-low-noise signal transmission. A hybrid body structure with titanium, aluminum, and elastomer materials helps control resonance, while gold-plated terminals and threaded mounting holes make this high-end moving coil cartridge both sonically refined and practical to install. Handcrafted and hand-finished in Japan, the AT-MCD1 is built for serious vinyl listeners seeking breathtaking realism, speed, depth, and musical texture.

Specifications

• Product Type: Dual moving coil stereo cartridge
• Cartridge Type: MC moving coil
• Frequency Response: 20 to 50,000 Hz
• Channel Separation: 28 dB at 1 kHz
• Vertical Tracking Angle: 20°
• Tracking Force: 1.7 to 1.9 g
• Standard Tracking Force: 1.8 g
• Recommended Load Impedance: 100 ohms or higher when connected to a head amplifier
• Coil Impedance: 12 ohms at 1 kHz
• DC Resistance: 12 ohms
• Coil Inductance: 25 μH at 1 kHz
• Output Voltage: 0.55 mV at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.
• Output Balance: 0.5 dB at 1 kHz
• Stylus Shape: Shibata integrated cantilever type
• Stylus Curvature Radius: 2.7 × 0.08 mil
• Cantilever: 0.22 mm / 0.0087" square diamond
• Cantilever Construction: Integrated stylus and diamond cantilever formed from a single lab-grown diamond
• Cantilever Manufacturing Method: CVD chemical vapor deposition
• Coil Material: PCOCC Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting
• Body Construction: Hybrid titanium housing, aluminum base, and elastomer undercover
• Housing Material: Precision-machined titanium
• Terminal Pins: 3-micron gold-plated sound terminal pins
• Threaded Hole: M2.6 × 2
• Dimensions: 17.3 mm × 17.7 mm × 26.7 mm / 0.68" × 0.70" × 1.1" H × W × D
• Weight: 9.5 g / 0.34 oz
• Static Compliance: 21 × 10-6 cm/dyne
• Dynamic Compliance: 15 × 10-6 cm/dyne at 100 Hz
• Stylus Assembly: Not field-replaceable
• Service Option: Eligible for Audio-Technica’s fee-based Moving Coil Exchange Program
• Included Accessories: Non-magnetic screwdriver
• Included Accessories: Brush
• Included Accessories: Washer × 2
• Included Accessories: Cartridge installation screws M2.6, 5.0 mm / 0.20" × 2
• Included Accessories: Cartridge installation screws M2.6, 8.0 mm / 0.31" × 2
• Included Accessories: Cartridge installation screws M2.6, 10.0 mm / 0.39" × 2
• Included Accessories: Cartridge installation screws M2.6, 12.0 mm / 0.47" × 2
• Included Accessories: Protector
• Included Accessories: Wooden storage case
• Special Detail: Each cartridge is engraved with a unique serial number
• Origin: Crafted and hand-finished by artisans in Japan
• Packaging: Environmentally conscious paper-based packaging
• Purchase Note: Washers × 2 and 8.0 mm screws × 2 are used to secure the cartridge at the time of purchase and should be kept after removing the cartridge from the imitation headshell
• Product Note: Specifications are subject to modification without notice for product improvement

What It's Great At

• Delivering reference-quality vinyl playback with extraordinary resolution, speed, and tonal realism.
• Extracting delicate groove details through a unified lab-grown diamond stylus-cantilever design.
• Producing precise imaging and stereo separation with dual moving coil construction.
• Reducing resonance through a premium titanium, aluminum, and elastomer hybrid body.
• Preserving clean signal transmission with PCOCC coils and gold-plated terminal pins.
• Serving as a world-class cartridge for high-end turntable systems and critical listening rooms.

Expanded Key Features List

• Unified Diamond Stylus-Cantilever: The stylus and cantilever are formed from a single lab-grown diamond to eliminate bonding-related distortion and transmit groove vibrations with exceptional purity.
• Newly Developed Shibata Stylus: The R2.7 × r0.08 mil Shibata tip traces intricate groove modulations with remarkable accuracy for lifelike detail and extended high-frequency response.
• 0.22 mm Square Diamond Cantilever: The lightweight square diamond cantilever is crafted using the CVD method to support fast transient response, precision, and consistency.
• Dual Moving Coil Design: Independent moving coils provide wide response, high channel separation, clear sound localization, and minimal distortion.
• High-Efficiency Magnetic Circuit: A dedicated magnetic circuit increases output voltage without altering coil impedance, enriching presence, realism, and soundstage depth.
• PCOCC Coil Construction: Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting coils help minimize signal disturbance for smoother, cleaner, and more accurate transmission.
• Hybrid Resonance-Control Body: The titanium housing, aluminum base, and elastomer undercover work together to reduce unwanted resonance and preserve sonic clarity.
• Precision-Machined Titanium Housing: The lightweight, rigid titanium body contributes to exceptional acoustic performance and long-term durability.
• Threaded Mounting Holes: M2.6 threaded holes make installation easier on compatible headshells and integrated tonearms.
• Gold-Plated Terminal Pins: 3-micron gold-plated pins reduce contact resistance and support high-quality signal transfer.
• Handcrafted in Japan: Each AT-MCD1 is crafted and hand-finished by skilled artisans for premium fit, finish, and performance.
• Serial Numbered Presentation: Every cartridge is engraved with a unique serial number and supplied in a solid cherry wood storage case.

FAQ Section

Q: What makes the Audio-Technica AT-MCD1 special?
A: The AT-MCD1 is Audio-Technica’s flagship iron-core moving coil cartridge, featuring a one-piece lab-grown diamond stylus-cantilever, dual moving coils, and a resonance-controlled hybrid body for exceptionally pure analog playback.

Q: What type of cartridge is the AT-MCD1?
A: The AT-MCD1 is a moving coil MC stereo cartridge designed for high-end turntable systems and serious vinyl listening.

Q: What stylus shape does the AT-MCD1 use?
A: It uses a newly developed Shibata stylus with a 2.7 × 0.08 mil curvature radius to retrieve fine groove detail with exceptional accuracy.

Q: Is the stylus replaceable?
A: The stylus assembly is not field-replaceable, but Audio-Technica offers a fee-based Moving Coil Exchange Program for proper moving coil cartridge service.

Q: What tracking force should I use with the AT-MCD1?
A: The recommended tracking force range is 1.7 to 1.9 g, with 1.8 g as the standard setting.

Q: What load impedance is recommended?
A: Audio-Technica recommends a load impedance of 100 ohms or higher when the cartridge is connected to a head amplifier.

Q: What accessories are included with the AT-MCD1?
A: The cartridge includes a non-magnetic screwdriver, brush, washers, multiple M2.6 installation screws, protector, and wooden storage case.

Q: Where is the AT-MCD1 made?
A: The AT-MCD1 is crafted and hand-finished by artisans in Japan.