ALVA MC
High-Output Moving Coil Cartridge
4.7
(8)
  • High-Output Moving Coil – For outstanding musical detail
  • Exposed Cantilever Design – Reduces unwanted resonance and vibration.
  • Elliptical Stylus – Improved frequency response and lower distortion.
  • Designed and Engineered in the UK – Bespoke Cambridge Audio design.
Colour
  • person lowering a record onto alva tt v2 turntable

    Alva MC High-Output Moving Coil Cartridge

    With its exposed cantilever design and elliptical stylus, our engineers custom-designed Alva MC, a high-output Moving Coil cartridge for Alva TT to deliver stunning levels of musical detail. The 68° angled cantilever is a call-back to our founding year of 1968 and a celebration of over 50 years of innovation.

    close-up of alva mc cartridge on an alva tt v2 turntable

    High-Output Moving Coil

    Moving Coil cartridges are known for high-precision and detailed music reproduction during playback.

    close-up of alva mc cartridge side rear view

    Exposed Cantilever Design

    Alva MC utilises an exposed cantilever design. This cuts down on unwanted resonance and vibration that can be a downside of conventional enclosed designs.

    close-up of alva mc cartridge and corner of alva tt v2

    Elliptical Stylus

    We chose an elliptical stylus for Alva MC, to give a large contact area within the groove of your records. This offers outstanding frequency response and low distortion figures. 

    close-up of alva mc cartridge on alva tt v2 playing blue record

    Lightweight and Fast

    Compared to many of its Moving Magnet (MM) counterparts, Alva MC is lighter and faster to respond to the record’s grooves, therefore able to unlock more of the musical detail contained within. 

    side angle image of alva tt v2 turntable, tonearm and MC cartridge

    Designed and Engineered in London

    Finished in our custom lunar-grey to compliment Alva TT V2, the bespoke Cambridge Audio design adopts the patterned knurling found on our premium Edge hi-fi. The 68° angle seen running top to bottom is a call-back to our founding year of 1968. A playful touch that reminds us of our roots. 

  • Technical Specifications

    Cartridge Type High-output Moving Coil
    Frequency Response +/- 1dB 30Hz-20kHz
    Stylus Elliptical
    Cantilever Aluminium
    Output Level 2mV @1kHz
    Tracking Force 2g
    See all tech specs See less tech specs
  • Alva MC Reviews

    4.7

    4.7
    (8)

    6 Reviews

    Great Service and Support

    Great Support and Service, many thanks to your Helpdesk team for assisting me and lovely follow up emails to make sure all was well with the purchase I had made. A big thank you to Dan for his efforts in making sure I was well looked after. ! would Definitely recommend using CA!

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    Magnetic moving coil cartridge

    This is the best turntable cartridge ever! The sounds reproduced are concert like and like and true. It is so worth the investment!

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    Response from Cambridge Audio

    Dear Customer

    Thank you for such a positive review and more importantly thanks for your trust in choosing a Cambridge Audio product.It‚'s always nice to hear that the product has surpassed people‚'s expectations. We hope that it continues to bring you many hours of listening happiness.Kind Regards

    Cambridge Audio Customer Support

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    Exposed cantilever is too fragile

    So the positive for this product is, the sound is amazing. I've listened to the same LP on the same stereosystem, and the only difference was the phono cartridge, and the difference was immense. This cartridge adds an amazing depth and clarity to the sound of both classic and new vinyl. The downside is, it's easy to bend or break off the needle due to the exposed cantilever design. I've broken four of these! That's $2,000 worth of busted stereo equipment! I've also used a lower end cartridge from a competitor, which doesn't sound as crisp or clear but which isn't as fragile, so it's useful to have around so I can re-install it while I wait for the replacement Cambridge part to arrive. I LOVE the Cambridge ALVA TT, and the CXA80 that I runallmy home audio through,, but going forward I will stick with non-Cambridge cartridges which won't break when you sneeze in their general direction.

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    Alva MC -- The Moving Coil Moves the Music !!

    Purchased this cartridge as part of the ALVA TT package and, as a cartridge it stands well in its own right. Oftentimes, high-end manufacturers sell a turntable with a inexpensive, mediocre cartridge and/or no cartridge at all.
    The fact that Cambridge Audio put a $500.00 (hi-output) moving coil cartridge on a $1,200.00 makes this package a great deal. However, it also provided the vehicle to promote an excellent, musical sound stage. Compared to higher priced cartridges (the Exact 2 comes to mind), it is a no-brainer.

    High quality, decent price and excellent sound.....

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    Response from Cambridge Audio

    Dear Customer

    Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this wonderful review. It's nice to know that you are satisfied with the build quality of the ALVA and the sound quality that it provides.Hope you enjoy hours of listening happiness.Kind Regards

    Cambridge Audio Customer Support

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