The nude elliptical diamond stylus ensures precise tracking with minimal distortion and very low surface noise. It is paired with an aluminum cantilever.
The coils are made from 99.99% pure silver wire, ensuring excellent signal transmission and enhanced detail retrieval.
The cartridge body is CNC-machined from a specialized aluminum optimized for resonance control. With a compliance of 15 and a weight of 12.6g, it is well suited for medium to high-mass tonearms.
Acoustic Signature MCX-3: installation
The wiring follows a standard color code, and the channel pins are positioned in the same layout as most MC cartridges.
Installation is straightforward thanks to precision-threaded inserts. The MCX-3 comes with two sets of screws:
- 5 mm screws for headshells up to 3.5 mm thick
- 7 mm screws for thicker headshells
Azimuth adjustment is essential for optimal channel separation. This can be checked using a thin mirror placed on the platter, ensuring the cartridge is perfectly perpendicular when viewed from the front. During this process, the tonearm must remain parallel to the record surface.
The cartridge is designed so that the cantilever angle matches the standard 20° cutting angle when the recommended tracking force is applied and the cartridge body is parallel to both the tonearm and the record surface.
Acoustic Signature MCX-3: sound performance
The MCX-3 is designed for demanding audiophiles. It delivers a rich sound with exceptional finesse and nuance.
Its presentation is open and highly dynamic, with a slight touch of warmth that gives it a very natural and pleasing tonal balance. It also offers outstanding high-frequency resolution, along with a level of transparency and detail significantly superior to the MCX-2.
The sound is neutral, lively, and supported by a wide soundstage, delivering striking realism, especially on live recordings.
Naturally, it pairs perfectly with the brand’s NEO tonearms, but it also matches very well with compatible turntables and tonearms from other manufacturers.
FranckDesign: Moving coil (low-output MC)
Stylus: Nude Fine Line
Coils: 99.99% silver
Chassis: Aluminium, optimised for resonance reduction
Output voltage (at 1 kHz, 5 cm/s): 0.35 mV
Channel balance at 1 kHz: < 1.2 dB
Channel separation at 1 kHz: > 24 dB
Frequency response at -3 dB: 20–25,000 Hz
Compliance: 15 m/mN
Tracking force: 2.1 to 2.5 g
Recommended tracking force: 2.3 g (23 mN)
Impedance: 5 Ω
Recommended load: 100 Ω
Cartridge weight: 12.6 g
