JAN ALLAERTS MC 1 ECO-N

The Jan Allaerts MC 1 ECO-N immediately stands out for its compact, gold-plated metal body, crafted with artisanal precision, evoking the image of an elegant and minimalistic small cube. The understated yet refined gold finish gives the cartridge a discreet, sophisticated look that enhances even the most essential turntables, making it appear as a perfectly integrated element alongside the tonearm and headshell.

This cartridge is designed with an output of 0.5 mV and an internal impedance of 22 ohms, making it easier to match compared to higher-end Jan Allaerts models, which are known for their very low output voltages and extremely high load impedances. In the case of the MC 1 ECO-N, the recommended load of 100 ohms allows for use with medium-impedance step-up transformers without particular difficulty. However, pairing it requires careful attention: a transformer with excessive gain or incorrect loading can easily emphasize sibilance and compromise tonal balance. With precise matching, the sound opens up and reveals its full harmonic richness.

The recommended tracking force for the MC 1 ECO-N is around 2.0 grams, but small variations can interestingly influence the final result. At slightly lower pressures, the sound becomes brighter and airier, with silky and particularly pleasant highs, while slightly increasing the value to around 2.2 grams yields a firmer sound, with a lowered sonic center of gravity and a more stable, deeper image. This dynamic balance makes the MC 1 ECO-N a cartridge highly responsive to adjustments, able to adapt flexibly to listening preferences.

Overall, the Jan Allaerts MC 1 ECO-N offers a sound experience that combines definition and naturalness, with always controlled tonal balance and the ability to express details and nuances without ever sounding excessive or fatiguing. Its handcrafted construction, along with the care in material selection and specifications, makes it a valuable option for those seeking a refined MC cartridge that remains relatively easy to use while consistently delivering high performance.

Technical specifications:

• Body: manually milled and drilled aluminum
• Coating: 0.3 mm thick 24 ct. gold foil
• Color: anodized gold-colored finish, scratch-resistant
• Terminals: soft iron shaped by grinding and milling
• Connector pins: 1.3 mm x 20 mm, 8 Kt solid gold
• Screw bushes: 2.5 mm brass threaded bushes mounted into the casing
• Magnets: rechargeable principle; max. power BH (Kj/m³°) 41
• Coil: 2 mm x 2 mm, soft iron type C 1003, handwound
• Coil windings: 15 micron copper hand-winding wire
• Stylus tip: FG II high-tech diamond, Swiss-made; rounded radius 4 microns
• Shock absorption: high-tech rubber, 100 Schor hardness
• Tension wire: steel wire spring, code 1007
• Coil impedance: 22 Ohms
• Load impedance: 100 Ohms
• Load capacity: 150 pF
• Tracking force: 2 grams; max. tolerance 0.2 grams
• Output voltage: 500 µV
• Maximum tracing capacity: 120 µm
• Channel separation: 35 dB at 100 Hz; 25 dB at 1 kHz; 25 dB at 20 kHz
• Frequency range: 10 Hz to 30 kHz
• Total harmonic distortion (THD): 1.5%
• Total unit weight: 10 grams (including socket screws)