phono cartridges

Audio: Phono Cartridges

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.

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

model	mount	stylus	$ list	street pricing	notes
AT120ET	H	.3 x .7	$110
AT150MLX	H		$500
AT250		listed together with the AT301EP, which may be a replacement
AT301EP	P/U	.4 x .7	$80	GaR:$35
AT311EP	P/U	.3 x .7	$90	GaR:$45	same as AT301EP except smaller stylus
AT320		listed together with the AT311EP, which may be a replacement
AT3482P	P	.6 diamond
AT3482U	U	.6 diamond	$40	GaR:$20
AT440ML			superceded by AT440MLa
AT440MLa			$220
AT70L	H	.6 diamond	$60	GaR:$30	entry-level
AT71ELC	H	.4 x .7 diamond	$70	GaR:$35	entry-level
AT92E			may not be available anymore
AT95E		.4 x .7 diamond
CN5625AL	1/2"	.7 diamond

• P = P-mount
• /U = with universal adaptor for other type of mount

Goldring

Very little specific information is available about this brand.

model	mount	stylus	$ list	street pricing	notes
1006		(D06)
1022GX		diamond (GD22GX)	$300	GaR:$240	image
Eroica		non-replaceable	$400	GaR:$320	moving-coil; image

Grado

model	mount	stylus	$ list	street pricing	notes
Prestige 78C	1/2"	.3		GaR:$80	for 78s
Prestige 78E	1/2"	.3 elliptical (?)		GaR:$130	for 78s
Prestige MC+	1/2"	.1		GaR:$80	for mono 45s/LPs
Prestige ME+	1/2"	.1 elliptical (?)		GaR$130	for mono 45s/LPs
Prestige BLACK	1/2" or P			GaR$40	the better units of this line become Greens
Prestige GREEN	1/2" or P			GaR$60	same production as Black, but higher test standards
Prestige BLUE	1/2" or P			GaR$80	the better units of this line become Reds
Prestige RED	1/2" or P			GaR$110	same production as Blue, but higher test standards
Prestige SILVER	1/2" or P			GaR$150	approx. the best 5% of this line become Golds
Prestige GOLD	1/2" or P			GaR:$180	same production as Silver, but higher test standards

Ortofon

model	mount	stylus	$ list	street pricing	notes
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
magnetic
M15	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
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"		$40	GaR:$35
OMP-3E	P
OM-5E	1/2"		$45	GaR:$40
OMP-5E	P
OM-10 SUPER	1/2"		$70	GaR:$55
OMP-10	P

Shure

model	mount	stylus	$ list	street pricing	notes
M25C	H	.7	$40	GaR:$30
M35S	H	.7	$75	GaR:$50	"DJ mix"
M44-7	H	.7	$115	GaR:$74	"DJ competition"
M44G	H	.7	$100	GaR:$64	"DJ professional"
M78S	H	2.5 mm	$90	GaR:$55	for 78s; specs
M92E	U	.4 x .7	$40	GaR:$35	specs
M97xE	H	.2 x .7	$140	GaR:$90	specs
SC35C	H	.7	$31	GaR:$25	"DJ standard spin"
V15VxMR	discontinued

Stanton

model	mount	stylus	$ list	street pricing	notes
500EMKII	H	.4 x .7	$50	GaR:$35	image
680HiFi	H	.3 x .7	$100	GaR:$70	image
681 EEE/MKIII	H	.3 x 2.8 (8x7)	$147	GaR:$130	image
881 Mk IIs	H	.3 x .7	$200		image
L720EE	U	.3 x .7	$50	GaR:$35