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- MM is the common type on beginner and mid-range decks and works with a standard phono input.
- Low-output MC needs an MC-capable phono stage, or a step-up device, to be loud enough.
- Many MM cartridges have a user-replaceable stylus; most MC cartridges do not.
- Identify the exact model before buying a stylus or preamp.
- An MC on an MM-only input gives quiet, hissy sound once you turn it up.
The short version
Every cartridge turns the tiny movements of the stylus in the groove into an electrical signal. In a moving magnet cartridge, the stylus moves a small magnet near fixed coils. In a moving coil cartridge, the stylus moves tiny coils in a fixed magnetic field. Both do the same job, but they differ in output level, in how they are serviced and in the phono input they need.
For a used-deck buyer, the question is simple: what is fitted, and does my phono stage suit it? Getting that wrong gives you a deck that is too quiet or noisy, and then you start blaming the deck for something a preamp could fix.
The two cartridge types
Moving magnet: the common type
MM cartridges are fitted to most beginner and mid-range decks. They produce a relatively strong signal, so they work with a standard phono input and a standard MM phono stage. Our preamp guide lists output figures published by cartridge makers, which show MM cartridges putting out a few millivolts. The details vary by model, so check the maker's page for yours.
A major practical advantage is that on many MM cartridges the stylus is a separate plug-in part. When the stylus wears, you buy a replacement assembly for the exact cartridge and fit it. That is why a used MM deck is easy to bring back to health: a new stylus costs far less than a new cartridge, and our stylus guide explains how to buy one safely.
Moving coil: a different set of rules
MC cartridges are common in higher-end systems. A low-output MC puts out a much weaker signal than an MM. The same preamp guide cites a maker's figure of only a fraction of a millivolt for one well-known example, which is far below what a standard MM input is designed to handle. That signal needs more gain, which means an MC-capable phono stage or a step-up device.
Servicing also differs. On most MC cartridges the stylus is not a user-replaceable part, so a worn one means servicing or replacing the whole cartridge, usually through the maker or a specialist. That is an important thing to know before paying for a used deck with an MC fitted, because the cartridge's condition cannot be refreshed by swapping a plug-in stylus.
There are also high-output MC cartridges designed to work with MM inputs. Whether yours is one depends on the model, so identify it exactly and check the maker's information.
Comparison for used buyers
| Question | Moving magnet (MM) | Moving coil (MC) |
|---|---|---|
| Signal strength | Relatively strong | Much weaker for low-output types |
| Phono input needed | A standard MM input | An MC-capable input, or a step-up device, for low-output types |
| Stylus replacement | Often a user-replaceable plug-in stylus | Usually serviced or the cartridge is replaced |
| Common on | Beginner and mid-range decks | Higher-end decks |
| Used-buyer risk | Unknown stylus wear, mismatched replacement | Cost of service, mismatch with the preamp |
These are general rules, and exceptions exist. The cartridge maker's spec sheet is the authority for your model.
Identify what is fitted
Ask the seller for a clear close-up of the cartridge, including any model text on its body, and a photo of the stylus assembly. Compare it with the deck's manual to see whether it is the original. A cartridge that has been swapped may be a better or worse match for the deck, and its model tells you which phono input it needs. If the seller cannot identify it, treat it as an unknown and price in a new cartridge or stylus.
A cartridge whose stylus has been replaced with a cheap generic part is not necessarily bad, but it is not the original design. Ask whether the stylus is original or aftermarket and how long it has been in use. After delivery, check the settings with our tracking force guide.
Search replacement styli on eBayAdd the exact cartridge model to the search and be wary of listings that do not name it.eBay affiliate link
Search eBayMatch the cartridge to the phono input
Check the equipment you will plug the deck into. A receiver's PHONO input is usually marked MM, and if it supports MC the label or manual will say so. A deck with a built-in preamp is designed for the cartridge it shipped with. A separate preamp should list the cartridge types it supports. If the label is silent, check the manual, because guessing is how you end up with a very quiet system.
- MM cartridge: use a standard MM phono input.
- Low-output MC: use an MC-capable input or a step-up device.
- High-output MC: check the maker's information to see if it suits an MM input.
Search phono preamps with MM and MC inputs on eBayLook for a listing that states the cartridge types supported and includes the power supply.eBay affiliate link
Search eBayMains-powered gear, including receivers and preamps, should be serviced only per the manual and by a qualified technician.
What to ask when the cartridge matters
- What is the cartridge model, and is it the one the deck shipped with?
- Is the stylus original, and how many hours has it played?
- Is this an MM or an MC, and is it a low-output or high-output type?
- Do you know what phono input it was used with?
- Can I return the deck if it sounds wrong with my setup?
Use the seller question builder to turn these into a message.
Which should you want?
For most used-deck buyers, an MM cartridge is the easier and safer choice because it works with common phono inputs and a worn stylus is cheap to replace. An MC can sound excellent, but it asks for the right phono input and a more careful budget for service. If you are buying a deck with an MC fitted, confirm the preamp first and treat the cartridge as a part with its own value.
Sources and verification
We opened one reference page for general background and relied on the site's existing preamp and stylus guides for the output figures their makers publish. The MM/MC description above is general and not tied to specific cartridge models; check the cartridge maker's specifications. Confirm every cartridge in its spec sheet.
- Wikipedia: Phonograph cartridge (a cartridge turns stylus vibrations into an electrical signal; styli are usually replaceable; RIAA equalization in phono stages; secondary source)
- RecordPlayers.co: Do you need a phono preamp? (MM output of a few millivolts, low-output MC far lower, with maker figures cited there)
- RecordPlayers.co: Turntable stylus guide (MM styli often plug-in, MC usually serviced as a whole cartridge)