Editing Phonograph (section)

==Pickup systems==<!--[[Phono cartridge]] and [[Phonograph cartridge]] redirect here-->
[[File:NadelAufPlatte.JPG|thumb|right|Typical magnetic cartridge]]
The pickup, or cartridge, is a [[transducer]] that converts mechanical vibrations from a stylus into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is [[Amplifier|amplified]] and converted into sound by one or more [[loudspeaker]]s. Crystal and ceramic pickups that use the [[piezoelectric effect]] have largely been replaced by [[magnetic cartridge]]s.

The pickup includes a stylus with a small [[diamond]] or [[sapphire]] tip that runs in the record groove. The stylus eventually becomes worn by contact with the groove, and it is usually replaceable.

Styli are classified as spherical or elliptical, although the tip is actually shaped as a half-sphere or a half-[[ellipsoid]]. Spherical styli are generally more robust than other types, but do not follow the groove as accurately, giving diminished high frequency response. Elliptical styli usually track the groove more accurately, with increased high frequency response and less distortion. For DJ use, the relative robustness of spherical styli make them generally preferred for back-cuing and scratching. There are a number of derivations of the basic elliptical type, including the Shibata or fine line stylus, which can more accurately reproduce high frequency information contained in the record groove. This is especially important for playback of quadraphonic recordings.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Everything you need to know about cartridges: Stylus types | url=https://www.ortofon.com/media/14912/everything_you_need_to_know_about_styli_types.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419181035/http://www.ortofon.com/media/14912/everything_you_need_to_know_about_styli_types.pdf | archive-date=2016-04-19}}</ref>

=== Optical readout ===
A few specialist [[laser turntable]]s read the groove optically using a laser pickup. Since there is no physical contact with the record, no wear is incurred. However, this advantage is debatable, since vinyl records have been tested to withstand even 1200 plays with no significant audio degradation, provided that it is played with a high-quality cartridge and that the surfaces are clean.<ref>Loescher, Long-Term Durability of Pickup Diamonds and Records, Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, vol 22, issue 10, pp 800</ref>

An alternative approach is to take a high-resolution photograph or scan of each side of the record and interpret the image of the grooves using [[computer software]]. An amateur attempt using a flatbed scanner lacked satisfactory fidelity.<ref>[http://www.cs.huji.ac.il/~springer/ Digital Needle – A Virtual Gramophone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031229221243/http://www.cs.huji.ac.il/~springer/ |date=2003-12-29 }} URL accessed March 31, 2007</ref> A professional system employed by the [[Library of Congress]] produces excellent quality.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11851842 You Can Play the Record, but Don't Touch] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812180736/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11851842 |date=2007-08-12 }} URL accessed April 25, 2008</ref>