VPI MC-One Special Cartridge

Superb Detail Retrieval, Luscious Detail, Soulful Overall Performance: Hand-Built van den Hul MC-One Special Moving-Coil Phono Cartridge Delivers Riveting Vinyl LP Playback

Superb tracking, along with luscious detail and fast speed that'll have you gripping your armrests, are all part of the van den Hul MC-One Special moving-coil phono cartridge experience. This unique analog instrument has been continually refined and hand-built by Dutch master designer A. J van den Hul himself. From the solid boron cantilever to its Type 1 (3x85 micron) patented stylus, MC-One Special distinguishes itself from run-of-the-mill cartridges with exceptional information retrieval and clear performance that puts you in the center of your favorite musical performances.
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Delivering 35.9 dB of channel separation, MC-One Special mines LP grooves with superb precision, leading to three-dimensional imaging and instrumental bloom. Its thick front pole and small magnet contributes to its propensity to expertly convey subtle ambient cues and a sense of space. In addition, its matched crystal silver-wire coils (rarely seen at this price point) provide a tonal purity that helps wring out the realistic instrumental timbre necessary for convincing reproduction. And since its stylus has light tracking-force requirements (1.35 to 1.5 grams), using a properly aligned MC-One Special will result in less record surface wear – making it a wise choice for protecting your vinyl investment.
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Once assembly is completed, every MC-One Special is re-inspected by Mr. van den Hul, who applies more than 40 years of experience and expertise to the task. In addition to employing a high-powered microscope and testing equipment, the highly trained physicist uses his ears to troubleshoot any potentially problematic areas and ensure each MC-One Special gets even the smallest details just right. What's more, van den Hul's cryogenically frozen proprietary elastomer formula controls unwanted vibrations like no other solution in the industry.
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Find out why Mr. van den Hul's meticulous craftsmanship has gained the attention of countless audiophiles for decades with an aptly named cartridge that is special in every facet, from its build to technology to architecture to sound.
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"[MC-One Special] plugs you into the heart of the performance. Yes, there is plenty of detail on offer here for audiophiles but, in many ways, that benefit is less important. It's as if the Special connects you to the soul of the music which, to many music fans out there, is far more important."
– Paul Rigby, The Audiophile Man
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"The MC-One Special's almost total lack of groove noise and distortion was proof that it is a well-designed cartridge. With lesser cartridges, these irregularities are particularly noticeable when playing classical records that have a large chorus, especially on the second half of the side when the grooves get closer to the spindle."
– Tom Lyle, SoundStage!

Cartridge Specs:
Stylus shape: VDH - I
Stylus radii: 3 x 85 Micron
Frequency range: 5 - 50.000 Hz
Tracking force: 13.5 - 15.0 mN
Static compliance: 28 Micron/mN
Tracking ability: 70 - 80 Micron
Output voltage: 0.65 mV RMS
Channel unbalance: < 0.5 dB
Channel separation: > 35 / > 30 dB
Stylus tip mass: 0.35mg
System weight: 8.2g
Vertical tracking angle: 22 Degrees
Load impedance: 200 Ohm
Effective tone arm mass: 8g - 12g
Moving coil resistance: 9 Ohm +/- 10%