The Pro-Ject Pick it MC1 is the entry point into Pro-Ject's Pick it MC moving-coil cartridge range, designed for music lovers who want to experience the performance advantages of MC technology without the substantial investment typically required. It sits below the Pick it MC2 in the range and is intended to be paired with entry to mid-level turntables equipped with a standard 1/2 inch headshell.
Moving-Coil Design
Moving-coil cartridges differ fundamentally from the more common moving-magnet type. In an MC design, a tiny coil wound with very fine wire is attached directly to the stylus cantilever and moves within a fixed magnetic field. Because the coil assembly is far lighter than the magnet assembly used in MM cartridges, it can respond more accurately to the microscopic modulations of a record groove. The result is enhanced transient response, a wider frequency range, and improved resolution of low-level detail. The lower source impedance of an MC design also makes it less susceptible to electromagnetic interference, reducing background noise.
Construction
The Pick it MC1 uses a neodymium N40H magnet and a square generator coil wound with 6N OFC (oxygen-free copper) wire. The stylus is a spherical diamond mounted on an aluminium cantilever, a practical choice for the entry-level price point that tracks a wide variety of records cleanly. The enclosure is constructed from resonance-optimised ABS, contributing to the cartridge's low total weight of approximately 5 grams. Threaded mounting holes are provided, simplifying installation and eliminating the need for separate nuts.
Performance and Compatibility
The Pick it MC1 produces an output voltage of 0.4 mV at 1 kHz (3.54 cm/sec), which is typical for a low-output MC cartridge. This requires either an MC-capable phono stage with sufficient gain, or an external step-up transformer ahead of an MM phono input. The cartridge has a medium dynamic compliance of 18 μm/mN, making it compatible with a wide range of tonearms from entry to mid-level turntables. The recommended tracking force is 1.9 g, with an acceptable range of 1.7 to 2.1 g. Channel separation exceeds 27 dB at 1 kHz, and the frequency response is rated at 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz within ±1 dB.