A phono cartridge is a small device attached to a turntable that converts the mechanical vibrations of a vinyl record into electrical signals. It typically contains a stylus, or needle, that tracks the grooves of the record, picking up the sound information encoded in them. The electrical signals produced by the phono cartridge are then sent to a phono preamp, which amplifies the signals for playback through speakers. There are various types of phono cartridges, including moving magnet and moving coil, each with its own characteristics and sound quality.