MC-44

About the MC-44

The Fidelity Research MC-44 is a low output moving coil phono cartridge produced in the early 1980s by Fidelity Research and designed by Yasuo Ozawa, who later founded Shelter. It features a 'refined-contact' super-elliptical nude diamond stylus that is 67% thinner than conventional styli, allowing for precise tracking and detailed sound. The cartridge was designed to deliver high fidelity analog sound with a slim and lightweight design, making it compatible with a variety of tonearms without requiring heavy or large setups. It outputs approximately 0.2 mV and uses an S-mount. The MC-44 is positioned below the higher-end FR MCX-3 and MCX-5 models in Fidelity Research's lineup and is distinct from the earlier Ikeda-designed FR cartridges. It is well-regarded for its sound quality and remains sought after by audiophiles and collectors.