Phono Cartridges

Phono Cartridges A phono cartridge is a transducer used for the playback of vinyl records on a turntable or record player. It is a mechanical device that converts vibrational energy from a stylus riding in a record groove into an electrical signal that is subsequently passed through amplification and then converted into sound energy by a loudspeaker system.
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The component in a phonograph turntable that holds the stylus, which is a needle attached to a cantilever arm. The vibrations of the stylus are transferred into electrical energy by a magnet inducing current into coils; one coil for the left side and one for the right. “Moving magnet” cartridges have the magnet attached to the end of the cantilever, while “moving coil” cartridges place two tiny coils on the end. In either case, the arm acts like a vibrating magnet.

Earlier phono cartridges were ceramic and used the piezoelectric effect to create the electrical signal. The cantilever end of the stylus arm actually contacted the ceramic base, which picked up the vibrations (see piezoelectric). See stylus.