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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
| 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superceded by AT440MLa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
|
