Text: Compliance describes the amount of force that must be applied to the stylus of a phono cartridge to deflect the stylus a given distance. Compliance is expressed numerically - for example, 15x10-6 cm/dyne. This means that if 1 dyne (a basic unit of force) is applied to the stylus, it will be deflected one 15-millionth of a centimeter. When comparing cartridge specifications, make the first number - the one before the multiplication sign - your basis for comparison. The higher the number, the greater the compliance. Higher-compliance cartridges can be used only in precision tone arms.

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