The Pick it MC3 is a moving-coil design that combines an aluminium body, a Hyper-Spherical stylus and a cryogenically treated cantilever. It is a 0.4 mV all-round MC with a powerful, dynamic sound, voiced for pop, rock and large-scale orchestral works.
Pick it MC3: how it is built
It belongs to the MC range with which Pro-Ject has widened the Pick it line. The intention was to have cartridges technically matched to the company's own tonearms and consistent with its idea of sound: each model has a character of its own, but all aim for precise and musical reading of the record. The MC3 is the one with the sturdier, more energetic temperament.
The Hyper-Spherical stylus is a Pro-Ject-specific profile, with 5 x 250 μm radii, meant to retrieve the micro-information in the groove. The cantilever undergoes a cryogenic treatment that realigns its crystal structure and makes signal transfer smoother. The cross coil has an ARMCO pure-iron core wound with 6N linear-crystal copper. Output is 0.4 mV and the optimum tracking weight is 2.0 g, into a load between 100 and 220 Ohm.
The body is entirely anodised aluminium, chosen for rigidity and build quality, and weighs 9.6 g. Fixing follows the half-inch standard with threaded holes, so the screws go in from above without nuts; a transparent stylus guard slides on from underneath when required. Components are Japanese, while assembly and quality control take place in Europe. Screws and a hex key come in the box; the stated run-in is 30 hours and for set-up Pro-Ject suggests its Measure it gauge and Align it protractor.
Specifications
- Principle: moving coil (MC)
- Output at 1 kHz: 0.4 mV at 3.54 cm/s
- Separation between channels, 1 kHz: 30 dB
- Compliance, dynamic: 12 μm/mN
- Trackability, 315 Hz: 70 μm
- Bandwidth: 20 Hz - 20 kHz, within 1 dB
- Stylus: Hyper-Spherical, 5 x 250 μm radii
- Cantilever: cryogenically treated
- Coil: cross type, ARMCO pure iron and 6N linear-crystal copper
- Tracking weight: 1.8 to 2.2 g, 2.0 g suggested
- Tip to mounting face: 17.5 mm
- Vertical tracking angle: 20°
- Suggested resistive load: 100-220 Ohm
- Run-in: 30 hours
- Body: anodised aluminium, 1/2 inch fixing
- Supplied: screws, hex key, stylus guard
- Mass of the cartridge: 9.6 g
