The Pick it MC9 is the moving-coil cartridge at the head of the Pick it MC range, with a Special Elliptical stylus, a coil on a Telar 57 core and an aluminium body. It is voiced for highly dynamic music such as jazz and classical.
Pick it MC9: the engineering
Within the family of MC cartridges that Pro-Ject developed to match its own tonearms, the MC9 is the model that aims for the greatest accuracy. The maker describes it as having a finely detailed soundstage, plenty of dynamics and a good sense of rhythm, and claims a flat frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 1 dB. Channel separation reaches 35 dB at 1 kHz.
The stylus has a Special Elliptical profile of Pro-Ject's own, with 5 x 150 μm radii, chosen to read every particular in the groove. Its cantilever receives a cryogenic treatment, a process that realigns its crystal structure and makes the passage of the signal smoother. The cross coil is wound in 6N linear-crystal copper on a Telar 57 pure-iron core. Output is 0.35 mV, the optimum tracking weight is 1.8 g and the suggested load runs from 100 to 470 Ohm.
The anodised aluminium body provides solidity and long life, measures 17 x 12.5 x 21 mm without pins and stylus, and weighs 9.6 g. It is fixed from above thanks to threaded holes on the half-inch pitch, and the transparent stylus guard slides into place from below. Parts are of Japanese origin, assembly and quality control are European. The box holds screws and a hex key; about 30 hours of run-in are needed and for adjustment Pro-Ject suggests its Measure it gauge and Align it protractor.
Specifications
- Principle: moving coil (MC)
- Voltage at 1 kHz: 0.35 mV at 3.54 cm/s
- Stereo separation, 1 kHz: 35 dB
- Compliance, dynamic: 12 μm/mN
- Tracking capability, 315 Hz: 70 μm
- Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz, within 1 dB
- Stylus: Special Elliptical, 5 x 150 μm radii
- Cantilever: cryogenic treatment
- Coil: cross type, 6N linear-crystal copper on Telar 57 pure iron
- Tracking weight: 1.8 g suggested, 1.6-1.9 g span
- Stylus tip to mounting face: 17.5 mm
- Tracking angle, vertical: 20°
- Suggested load: 100-470 Ohm
- Run-in: about 30 hours
- Body: anodised aluminium, 1/2 inch fixing pitch
- Size (width, height, depth): 17 x 12.5 x 21 mm, pins and stylus excluded
- Mass: 9.6 g
