ABCD-2 MC Cartridge Demagnetizer
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Every MC cartridge owner should have an ABCD-2 and use it regularly. As an MC cartridge plays a record, those moving coils are undulating back and forth in a very strong magnetic field. Over time, the coils will develop a magnetic charge and that's when sound quality suffers. The top octave loses its sparkle, the midrange sounds dull, muddy and bland. Bass becomes tubby, bloated, even flatulent. However, because this happens slowly over time, it can be hard to hear this happening, until that one day you sit down to listen to your favorite record and you realize your analog rig sounds dead. Lifeless. Boring.
Enter the ABCD-2. This small box plugs into the RCA connectors on your tonearm and with a push of a button runs a 30 second series of frequencies through the cartridge's coils, eliminating the Gaussian buildup and restoring the cartridge to its natural state. The effect can be jaw dropping, especially if you've never degaussed your MC cartridge before!
For best results, we recommend using the ABCD-2 about once a week. If you're spinning a ton of records, perhaps every few days. Also, if the cartridge has been sitting for a long time, use the ABCD-2 to precondition your coils before starting a listening session!
Based on the legendary ABCD-1, the ABCD-2 fits into a smaller, lighter and more attractive package. Operates on a pair of easily accessible AA batteries instead of the larger heavier and more expensive 9V batteries. The ABCD-1 used 2 buttons & LED's (1 for power and the other to activate the demagnetizing process) whereas the ABCD-2 handles both functions with a single button press and needs only one LED. Reducing complexity has greatly improved manufacturing efficiency and thus the ABCD-2 delivers more performance at a substantially lower price than its predecessor.
Text from the original ABCD-1:
The first American designed and manufactured cartridge demagnetizer, the ABCD-1, keeps your analog front-end sounding its best. Once a week, simply plug in your turntable leads to the ABCD-1, then activate the gently ramped, up-and-down cycle of the ultra-pure demagnetizing signal.
The Aesthetix ABCD-1 was designed to meet a specific need in today's marketplace: an affordable MC cartridge demagnetizer which restores your cartridge's potential without residual sonic signature. Periodically demagnetizing a moving coil cartridge removes the "veils" which creep up as you enjoy your record collection. Simply put, these veils are the result of compromised electromagnetic performance of your phono cartridge. The Aesthetix ABCD-1 eliminates these veils, recovering the dynamics, nuance and emotion of your favorite LPs.
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To better understand how the ABCD-1 works, remember that a moving coil phono cartridge is basically a coil of wire wound around a piece of iron (or ferrous material) suspended within a magnetic field. This electrical generator is activated by the phono stylus in the record groove, moving the wire coil and thus generating a signal to be amplified and reproduced by your loudspeakers. Think back to a simple science experiment placing a pin against a strong magnet for a few minutes. Afterwards, the pin, which is made of ferrous material, becomes magnetized enough to actract another pin.
Today's best moving coil phono cartridges use powerful magnets such as neodymium and samarium cobalt. As the moving coil absorbs some of the magnet's charge, the sound becomes murky and less defined. This is because the magnetized coil does not generate as great a variation as it moves within the magnetic field of the phono cartridge.
The ABCD-1 neutralizes the unwanted magnetic charge of the moving coil, restoring full performance in a matter of minutes. Demagnetizing your moving coil cartridge with the Aesthetix ABCD-1 every week or so will prolong the life of your phono cartridge, increasing your enjoyment and appreciation of the music.