Audio-Technica AT-MCD1 Dual Moving Coil Stereo Cartridge

Flagship iron-core moving coil cartridge with a unified Shibata stylus and 0.22 mm square diamond cantilever

The Audio-Technica AT-MCD1 is the company’s flagship iron-core moving coil cartridge, designed to build on the limited-edition AT-MC2022 60th anniversary model. It carries forward that cartridge’s one-piece diamond stylus-cantilever construction while further reducing cantilever mass and using a newly developed Shibata stylus for finer groove tracing.

The AT-MCD1’s unified Shibata stylus and 0.22 mm square diamond cantilever are formed from a single lab-grown diamond. By eliminating the conventional bond between stylus and cantilever, this structure allows groove vibrations to pass more directly to the coils, supporting fast transient response, high-frequency extension, low noise, and a more complete retrieval of fine detail.

Its dual moving coil generator uses independent PCOCC coils and a dedicated magnetic circuit developed for Audio-Technica’s high-class moving coil cartridges. A hybrid body with a titanium housing, aluminum base, and elastomer undercover helps disperse unwanted resonance, while threaded mounting holes, 3 micron gold-plated terminal pins, and hand-finished Japanese construction round out the design.

Features

• Unified diamond stylus-cantilever
• Newly developed Shibata stylus
• 0.22 mm square diamond cantilever
• Dual moving coil construction
• PCOCC moving coils
• Titanium, aluminum, and elastomer body
• Threaded mounting holes
• Gold-plated terminal pins
• Unique engraved serial number
• Hand-finished in Japan

Included Accessories

• Non-magnetic screwdriver
• Brush
• Washers x 2
• Cartridge installation screws (M2.6): 5 mm (0.20") x 2, 8 mm (0.31") x 2, 10 mm (0.39") x 2, 12 mm (0.47") x 2
• Protector
• Wooden case

Specifications

Type: MC

Frequency Response: 20 Hz–50 kHz

Channel Separation (1 kHz): 28 dB

Vertical Tracking Angle: 20°

Tracking Force (1.8 g standard): 1.7 g–1.9 g

Recommended Load Impedance (When Head Amplifier Connected): 100 ohms or greater

Coil Impedance (1 kHz): 12 ohms

DC Resistance: 12 ohms

Coil Inductance (1 kHz): 25 μH

Output Voltage (1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.): 0.55 mV

Output Balance (1 kHz): 0.5 dB

Stylus Shape (Integrated Cantilever Type): Shibata

Stylus Curvature Radius: 2.7 x 0.08 mil

Cantilever: 0.22 mm square diamond

Static Compliance: 21 x 10^-6 cm/dyne

Dynamic Compliance (100 Hz): 15 x 10^-6 cm/dyne

Threaded Hole: M2.6 x 2

Dimensions (WHD): 17.7 mm x 17.3 mm x 26.7 mm 

Weight: 9.5 g