Pro-Ject Pick It MC3

The Pro-Ject Pick It MC3 is a moving coil (MC) cartridge designed for discerning audiophiles looking to enhance their vinyl listening experience. Combining advanced technology, high-quality materials, and European craftsmanship, it stands out as an ideal solution for hi-fi enthusiasts.

A Robust and Optimized Design

The Pick It MC3 features a steel-blue anodized aluminum body, a material that ensures both rigidity and low resonance. This design minimizes unwanted vibrations, thereby improving sound accuracy. With a total weight of 9.6 grams and a medium compliance of 12 μm/mN, this cartridge is perfectly suited for mid-range and high-end tonearms.

Installation is made easy with threaded inserts integrated into the body, allowing for stable and precise mounting on turntables using the 1/2-inch standard. The Pick It MC3 also includes a transparent stylus guard to protect the needle when not in use.

Advanced Technical Features

The Pro-Ject Pick It MC3 stands out with its carefully engineered technical specifications:

• Hyper-Spherical Stylus: This stylus shape enables precise tracking of the micro-details in vinyl grooves, delivering detailed sound reproduction.
• Cryogenically Treated Cantilever: The cryogenic treatment realigns the crystalline structure of the aluminum cantilever, optimizing signal transmission.
• ARMCO Pure Iron Cross-Coil: Paired with a 6N linear crystalline copper winding, this configuration ensures excellent transient response and low distortion.
• Output Voltage: With an output of 0.4 mV at 1 kHz, this cartridge requires a compatible phono preamp to fully realize its potential.
• Recommended Tracking Force: The cartridge performs best with a tracking force of 2 grams.

These features allow the Pick It MC3 to deliver an extended frequency response (20 Hz - 20 kHz) with channel separation exceeding 30 dB, ensuring a wide and immersive soundstage.

Exceptional Sound Reproduction

The Pro-Ject Pick It MC3 excels in sound reproduction thanks to its remarkable tonal balance. It delivers natural timbres and realistic dynamics without overemphasizing specific frequencies. Music lovers will appreciate its ability to reproduce music with clarity and transparency, all while avoiding listener fatigue.

This cartridge is particularly well-suited for a variety of musical styles, from rock and pop to grand classical orchestral works. Its versatility makes it an excellent choice for those looking to explore different musical genres.

Comparison with Other Pro-Ject Models

The Pick It MC3 is part of Pro-Ject’s extensive cartridge lineup. Compared to the higher-end Pick It MC9, it offers a slightly higher output voltage (0.4 mV vs. 0.35 mV) and uses a hyper-spherical stylus instead of a special elliptical stylus. These differences make the MC3 more accessible while maintaining a high level of performance.

On the other hand, compared to the entry-level Pick It Pro MM (moving magnet), the MC3 features more advanced technologies such as the cryogenic cantilever and ARMCO cross-coil. This translates to greater sound precision and superior transient response.

Technical Specifications

Electrical Specifications

• Cartridge Principle: Moving Coil (MC)
• Output Voltage at 1 kHz: 0.4 mV (3.54 cm/s)
• Channel Separation at 1 kHz: 30 dB
• Recommended Load Impedance: 100-220 Ω
• Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz ± 1 dB

Mechanical Characteristics

• Dynamic Compliance: 12 µm/mN
• Tracking Ability at 315 Hz: 70 μm
• Cartridge Weight: 9.6 g
• Tracking Angle: 20°

Stylus

• Type: Hyper-Spherical
• Radius: 5 × 250 μm

Usage Parameters

• Tracking Force:
  • Range: 1.8 - 2.2 g (mN)
  • Recommended: 2.0 g (mN)
• Break-in Period: 30 hours