phono cartridges

Navigation

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

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AT440ML			superceded by AT440MLa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

Numark

Apparently intended for dance club use

model	mount	stylus	$ list	$ street	notes
CC-1			$109	MF
CS-1
CX-1			$119	MF

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