Cambridge Audio ALVA MC High-Output Moving Coil Cartridge

Perfect MC Cartridge for ALVA Turntable

Cambridge Audio's engineers designed the ALVA MC High-output Moving Coil cartridge to perfectly compliment Cambridge Audio's ALVA TT. With its exposed cantilever design, elliptical stylus, and ability to deliver stunning levels of musical detail, it will delight any vinyl enthusiast.

By using a High Output Moving Coil cartridge, Cambridge Audio is able to deliver superior detail and a higher gain during playback. The ALVA MC uses an exposed cantilever design. This cuts down on unwanted resonance and vibration that can be a downside of enclosed designs. The elliptical stylus offers improved frequency response and lower distortion.

Lightweight and Fast

Compared to many of its Moving Magnet (MM) cousins, the ALVA MC is lighter and faster to respond to the record groove. It is therefore able to reproduce more of the musical detail of the recording.

Design Details

Adopting visual cues from both the ALVA TT and Cambridge Audio's Edge series, the ALVA MC features patterned knurling and is finished in lunar grey. The 68-degree angle seen running top to bottom serves as a call back to Cambridge Audio's founding year of 1968, as the company celebrates 50 years of audio innovation.

Product Features

High-output Moving Coil
Outstanding musical detail
Exposed Cantilever Design reduces unwanted resonance and vibration
Elliptical Stylus
Designed and Engineered in the UK
Bespoke Cambridge Audio design

Product Specs

Cartridge type: High-output Moving Coil
Frequency response: +/- 1dB 30Hz-20kHz
Stylus: Elliptical
Cantilever: Aluminum
Output level: 2mV @1kHz
Tracking force: 2g
Recommended load: 47kΩ

Product Warranty

Parts & Labor

2 Years | 3 Years With Registration

Cambridge Audio Warranty Information

"The Alva is a very fine sounding affordable modern moving coil cartridge. That's not wholly surprising considering its provenance, but you don't really expect this sort of performance at this price – close your eyes and you'll hear something that gets closer to moving coils at twice the cost, in some respects. It's grippy, punchy, fast and engaging – making it loads of fun to listen to."

"Cambridge Audio's new Alva isn't the world's best moving coil cartridge but is splendid value for money all the same. It sits a price point that's largely populated by moving magnet designs, yet shows them a clean pair of heels in so many ways. It is more engaging and less opaque sounding than all of its opposition, I think. In other words, you get a taste of analogue esoterica for a relatively affordable price. If you're looking for moving coil thrills in a user-friendly moving magnet package, then hear this if you can."

- Mark Gusew, SteroNET™ UK, February 4, 2021