An introduction to vinyl

Cartridge design
with Leif Johannsen

What makes
a cartridge good?

Get down to the details as Leif Johannsen, Ortofon's Chief Officer of Acoustics and Research, takes you on a journey through cartridge design. In this four-part video series, you will learn everything there is to know about how a cartridge works, what cartridge technologies are used, what materials go into a cartridge, and finally what types of styli are there, and how they differ.

Introduction video

A deep dive
into vinyl playback

Get down to the details as Leif Johannsen, Ortofon's Chief Officer of Acoustics and Research, takes you on a journey through cartridge design. In this four-part video series, you will learn everything there is to know about:

  • How does a cartridge work?
  • What technologies do we use in our cartridges?
  • What materials go into a cartridge?
  • What types of styli are there, and how do they differ?

Cartridge technologies

What are cartridge technologies?

In this video, you will learn about four cartridge technologies, how they work, and how they can improve the listening experience. Leif Johannsen, Ortofon's Chief Officer of Acoustics and Research, will take you through the physics of:

1) Split Pole Pins, which is about magnetics, and how to reduce the loss of energy and, as a result, reduce the loss of the musical signal. 

2) Selective Lazer Melting, which is about making houses with no unwanted vibration. 

3) Field Stabilizing Element, which is about improving the properties of the magnetic field in the moving coils and, finally

4) Wide Range Damping, which is about enhancing the properties of the rubber suspension system in the cartridge.

Cartridge principles

How does a phono
cartridge work?

In this video, Leif Johannsen introduces you to two main cartridge principles: Moving Magnet and Moving Coil. Both principles have advantages and open up different possibilities for the design of the cartridge, including the use of material, implementation of technologies, and the choice of styli.

You will learn how the two systems work differently, how the music is conducted from the groove and travels true the cartridge, and how each principle benefits differently.

The power of materials

What materials
go into a cartridge?

Chapter three delves into the power of materials used in the different parts of a cartridge and their significant impact on its performance. The chapter covers the following:

  • Cartridge housing and the different benefits of the materials used.
  • The magnetic system, where you will learn about Neodymium Magnets and their high energy density.
  • The differences in the damping properties of the rubber.
  • The magnet, semi non-magnetic, and non-magnetic armatures.
  • The cantilever and the various materials used for cantilevers, including aluminum, boron, and diamond.

The world of styli

What are the
different styli?

In this final video, Leif Johannsen guides us through the fascinating world of styli - a delicate yet indispensable part of the cartridge that plays a crucial role in translating the microscopic waves extracted from the groove into captivating musical moments. Leif will take us on a comprehensive exploration of seven distinct styli variations. From tipped to nude diamonds, he will delve into the intricate nuances of diamond shapes and contact areas, unveiling the advantages of each design.