Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan | 2026 – The AT-MCD1, Audio-Technica’s flagship iron-core moving coil cartridge, is one of the finest phono cartridges ever produced, designed to surpass even the outstanding expressiveness of our limited-edition AT-MC2022 60th anniversary model.
The AT-MCD1 has been designated an Audio-Technica Excellence Product, a recognition that identifies products that meet our highest standards of high-fidelity performance.
With its unified stylus-cantilever, formed from a single lab-grown diamond, the AT-MC2022 offered exceptional responsiveness and transparency, establishing a new benchmark for analog playback. The AT-MCD1 inherits that one-piece diamond construction but further reduces the mass of the cantilever and adopts a newly developed Shibata stylus (R2.7 × r0.08 mil tip radius) that traces the record groove with extreme accuracy. This seamless, high-purity structure enhances the precision of converting mechanical vibrations into electrical signals, achieving a higher integration of detail, density, speed, and smoothness.
The cartridge’s dual moving coils provide high separation and wide response for clear sound localization with minimal distortion. Its highly efficient magnetic circuit creates strong magnetic flux density and output voltage, further enriching the presence and realism of the sound image. A carefully crafted cartridge body, consisting of an aluminum base, titanium housing, and elastomer undercover, disperses unwanted resonance, while threaded mounting holes make the cartridge easy to install to a headshell or integrated tonearm.
Built around its diamond core structure, the AT-MCD1 naturally reproduces everything from the faintest nuance to powerful dynamic expression, presenting sound in which image contours and spatial depth emerge vividly. By retrieving even the most delicate signals without loss, sound rises smoothly from silence, and the texture of instruments and the lingering resonance of harmonics are conveyed with striking realism. The unbroken purity of the AT-MCD1’s diamond construction delivers ultra-low noise and outstanding resolution while staying true to the anniversary model’s philosophy, faithfully drawing out every detail in the original recording.
Please Note: AT-MCD1’s stylus assembly is not field-replaceable, but Audio-Technica offers a fee-based Moving Coil Exchange Program to properly service your moving coil cartridge.
Unified Diamond Stylus-Cantilever
Extreme Precision / New Shibata Stylus
The AT-MCD1 features a Shibata stylus tip that’s been specially developed for this cartridge. With an R2.7 × r0.08 mil tip radius, the stylus can pick up the finest details from a record groove, resulting in stunningly lifelike audio reproduction.
Superior Sound Experience / Moving Coil Construction
The AT-MCD1 adopts the highly efficient magnetic circuit originally developed for the AT-ART20, which generates strong magnetic flux density and output voltage for exquisite sonic realism. Two independent PCOCC moving coils, positioned at the cantilever’s fulcrum, ensure pure signal transmission for each channel.
Features
Diamond-crafted audio: our flagship AT-MCD1 is one of the finest phono cartridges ever produced
Integrated stylus and diamond cantilever, formed from a single lab-grown diamond, eliminates the distortion caused by conventional bonding for pure signal transmission, fast transient response, and enhanced high-frequency expression
Lightweight integrated 0.22 mm square diamond cantilever is crafted using the CVD (chemical vapor deposition) method, ensuring outstanding precision and consistency in acoustic performance
Newly developed Shibata stylus (R2.7 × r0.08 mil tip radius) traces the intricate modulations of the record groove with extreme accuracy for a precise and lifelike listening experience
Dual moving coils provide high separation and wide response for clear sound localization with minimal distortion
Dedicated magnetic circuit, developed specifically for Audio-Technica’s high-class MC cartridges, achieves higher output voltage (without altering coil impedance) while further enriching the presence and realism of the sound image
PCOCC (Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting) coils minimize signal disturbance, providing purer and smoother transmission
The precision-machined titanium housing is remarkably lightweight and rigid, and offers exceptional acoustic performance
Hybrid body construction – titanium housing, aluminum base, elastomer undercover – reduces undesirable resonance
Threaded cartridge mounting holes allow for easy installation to a headshell or integrated tonearm
High-quality sound terminal pins have 3-micron gold-plating to reduce contact resistance and enhance sound quality
Each cartridge is engraved with a unique serial number and comes in a solid cherry wood storage case
Crafted and hand-finished by artisans in Japan
Environmentally conscious paper-based packaging
Please Note: AT-MCD1’s stylus assembly is not field-replaceable, but Audio-Technica offers a fee-based Moving Coil Exchange Program to properly service your moving coil cartridge.
| Cartridge & Stylus | |
|---|---|
| Frequency Response | 20 to 50,000 Hz |
| Channel Separation | 28 dB (1 kHz) |
| Vertical Tracking Angle | 20° |
| Tracking Force | 1.7 to 1.9 g (1.8 g standard) |
| Recommended Load Impedance | ≥ 100 ohms (when head amplifier connected) |
| Coil Impedance | 12 ohms (1 kHz) |
| DC Resistance | 12 ohms |
| Coil Inductance | 25 μH (1 kHz) |
| Output Voltage | 0.55 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.) |
| Output Balance | 0.5 dB (1 kHz) |
| Stylus Shape | Shibata (integrated cantilever type) |
| Cantilever | 0.22 mm (0.0087”) square diamond |
| Static Compliance | 21 × 10-6 cm/dyne |
| Dynamic Compliance | 15 × 10-6 cm/dyne (100 Hz) |
| Dimensions | 17.3 mm (0.68”) × 17.7 mm (0.70”) × 26.7 mm (1.1”) (H × W × D) |
| Accessories Included | Non-magnetic screwdriver Brush *Washer × 2 *Cartridge installation screws (M2.6) (5.0 mm (0.20”) × 2, 8.0 mm (0.31”) × 2, 10.0 mm (0.39”) × 2, 12.0 mm (0.47”) × 2) Protector Case (wooden box) |
| Threaded Hole | M2.6 × 2 |
| Stylus Curvature Radius | 2.7 × 0.08 mil |
| Type | MC |
| Weight | 9.5 g (0.34 oz) |
| Notes | * Washers × 2 and screws (8.0 mm (0.31”)) × 2 are used to secure the cartridge at the time of purchase. Be sure to keep and not lose these after removing the cartridge from the imitation headshell. For product improvement, the product is subject to modification without notice. |
