Load Capacitance (MC)
The capacitance presented by the phono stage’s moving-coil input, expressed in picofarads.
Capacitance is one part of the electrical load seen by a cartridge. It is separate from the input resistance stated in ohms.
Load Capacitance (MC) — Phono Preamp
On a Phono Preamp, MC input capacitance describes the stage’s own contribution to that load. The cable and tonearm wiring also contribute capacitance, so the input figure alone is not the total presented to the cartridge.
A single value describes a fixed input capacitance. Several values indicate selectable settings, while a range can describe a continuously adjustable control. Keep the value associated with the MC input; an MM-only specification should not be substituted.
Compare the available settings with any guidance supplied for the cartridge and phono stage. More capacitance is not inherently better, and the figure does not describe gain or noise performance. A capacitance value elsewhere in the product, such as a power-supply capacitor, has a different purpose.