Audio-Technica introduces its finest phono cartridge ever: the AT-MCD1 featuring unified diamond stylus/cantilever
Shibata
Stow, OH, June, 2026 — Setting a new standard in phono cartridge design, Audio-Technica announces the introduction of its AT-MCD1 Dual Moving Coil Stereo Cartridge, the finest phono cartridge Audio-Technica has ever produced. The AT-MCD1 features a unified diamond stylus/cantilever, a newly developed Shibata stylus, a dual moving coil design and other refinements to offer an extraordinary level of musical realism.
“The AT-MCD1 builds upon the acclaim of our limited-edition 60th anniversary AT-MC2022 cartridge to achieve even greater sonic performance,” said Bob Peet, Audio-Technica Global Product Manager – Analog Products. “It combines our latest advancements in design and materials technology with expert hand craftsmanship by our artisans in Japan.”
Delivers Natural Quality
Every aspect of the AT-MCD1 is created to deliver the finest in vinyl playback, with an inviting, natural quality for vocals and instruments, offering remarkable resolution, spaciousness, tonal quality and dynamic impact. The AT-MCD1’s integrated diamond stylus/cantilever is formed from a single lab-grown diamond, with a newly developed Shibata stylus that has a smaller minor radius than previous shapes, sporting an r2.7 x R0.08 tip radius. The 0.22 mm-square cantilever is formed using a CVD (chemical vapor deposition) process, for extreme precision and manufacturing consistency.
This allows more precise transmission of the most delicate musical signals, and more accurate tracing of the record groove. The seamless stylus/cantilever structure enables the mechanical vibrations to be converted into electrical signals with exceptional accuracy.
Dual Moving Coil
Audio-Technica’s exclusive dual moving coil design ensures superior channel separation and wide frequency response. Its powerful magnetic circuit and PCOCC copper coils provide efficient signal transfer and higher output voltage. The AT-MCD1’s multilayer cartridge body is crafted from an aluminum base, titanium housing and an elastomer undercover to dampen unwanted resonances and enable accurate reproduction of the most delicate musical signals.
Each cartridge has an individualized serial number and comes in a cherry wood presentation case. The Audio-Technica AT-MCD1 Dual Moving Coil Stereo Cartridge will be available on June 4, 2026 from selected specialist retailers at a suggested retail price of $11,000 usd/ $15,275 cad.
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