phono cartridges

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audio: phono cartridges

Types of Cartridge

 * Needle type:
 * Conical/Spherical: least expensive; tip sizes have only one number
 * Elliptical: tip sizes have two numbers, one for each axis (minor axis is side-to-side ("side radius"), long axis ("front radius") points along direction of travel). The smaller the side radius, the better the sound
 * In general, smaller tip sizes give better sound and create less wear on records due to less contact. Lower tracking pressure also improves "compliance", which reduces record wear and improves channel separation and fidelity.
 * Mount types:
 * P-Mount
 * Half-inch
 * direct mount to S-shaped tonearm

Available Models
This list of cartridges was gleaned in part from Garage-a-Records (phono cartridge page), an online retail site with horrible html layout but good service. If anyone knows of any other sources, please feel free to add links/information. Note: GaR's "buy now" links have the price embedded, so any links placed here would not accurately reflect their latest prices.

2007-07-10 Added a short list of Numark cartridges from Musician's Friend

Audio Technica

 * Prices have generally been rounded up to nearest $1 or $5
 * Where only one stylus measurement is given, shape is conical; two measurements indicates elliptical
 * P = P-mount
 * /U = with universal adaptor for other type of mount

Goldring
Very little specific information is available about this brand.

Numark
Apparently intended for dance club use

Ortofon
{| ! model || mount || stylus || $ list || street pricing || notes
 * colspan=6 bgcolor=#ffffcc |
 * colspan=6 bgcolor=#ffffcc |

moving-coil
styli are not replaceable
 * X1-MCP || P || bonded elliptical || $150
 * X1-MC || $1⁄2$" || bonded elliptical || $150 || GaR:$110
 * X3-MC || $1⁄2$" || nude fine line || $330 || GaR:$230
 * colspan=6 bgcolor=#ffffcc |
 * X3-MC || $1⁄2$" || nude fine line || $330 || GaR:$230
 * colspan=6 bgcolor=#ffffcc |
 * colspan=6 bgcolor=#ffffcc |
 * colspan=6 bgcolor=#ffffcc |

magnetic

 * M15 || colspan=5 | Ortofon's first mag cartridge, introduced 1969; presumably discontinued
 * OM78 || $1⁄2$" || 3.0 mm || $70 || GaR:$60 || for 78s
 * OMD25M || $1⁄2$" || 1.0 mm || $70 || GaR:$60 || for mono 45s/LPs
 * colspan=6 bgcolor=#ffffcc |
 * OMD25M || $1⁄2$" || 1.0 mm || $70 || GaR:$60 || for mono 45s/LPs
 * colspan=6 bgcolor=#ffffcc |
 * colspan=6 bgcolor=#ffffcc |
 * colspan=6 bgcolor=#ffffcc |

Super OM Series

 * OM = "Optimum Match"
 * magnetic
 * all models in OM series have the same body, construction and magnetic circuitry; the only difference is the interchangeable stylus unit
 * OM-20 SUPER || H || || $150 || GaR:$130 ||
 * OM-30 SUPER || H || || $250 || GaR:$190 ||
 * OM-3E ||$1⁄2$" || rowspan=2 | || rowspan=2 | $40 || rowspan=2 | GaR:$35
 * OMP-3E || P
 * OM-5E || $1⁄2$" || rowspan=2 | || rowspan=2 | $45 || rowspan=2 | GaR:$40
 * OMP-5E || P
 * OM-10 SUPER || $1⁄2$" || rowspan=2 | || rowspan=2 | $70 || rowspan=2 | GaR:$55
 * OMP-10 || P
 * }
 * OM-5E || $1⁄2$" || rowspan=2 | || rowspan=2 | $45 || rowspan=2 | GaR:$40
 * OMP-5E || P
 * OM-10 SUPER || $1⁄2$" || rowspan=2 | || rowspan=2 | $70 || rowspan=2 | GaR:$55
 * OMP-10 || P
 * }
 * OMP-10 || P
 * }
 * }