Cartridges

DENON DL-160 DL 160 DL160 PHONO CARTRIDGE
- Discontinued, see Related Products for replacement.

Developed using Denon's state of the art moving coil manufacturing facility and know-how, the Denon DL-160 phono cartridge was designed to enable more people to enjoy the exquisite sound quality of Denon's low-output moving coil cartridges. To that end, the Denon DL-160 is a moving coil cartridge capable of producing a high output of 1.6mV which is equivalent to the output of moving magnet (MM) phono cartridges. The Denon DL-160 phono cartridge can thus be directly connected the MM phono input of your amplifier or receiver without the need for a step-up transformer, head amplifier or pre-preamp.

The moving coil cartridge provides a more sensitive transition from the physical record grooves to an electrical signal. By using a tapered cantilever design, the Denon DL-160 phono cartridge ensures a smooth accurate response while reducing the total tracking weight. Its elliptical stylus is designed for optimal performance, creating a vibrant sound stage and extremely realistic nuance. The Denon DL-160 phono cartridge will provide its fastidious owner with many precious listening hours of tracking and replaying your favorite music.

Denon DL-160 Phono Cartridge Specifications
- Type: Moving coil
- Output voltage: 1.6mV
- Frequency response: 20Hz-50kHz
- Recommended load impedance: over 47k ohms
- Channel balance @ 1kHz: Within 1db
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: > 25dB
- Stylus tip: 0.07 x 0.14mm special elliptical solid diamond
- Compliance: 10 x 10-6 cm/dyne
- Recommended tracking force: 1.6g +/- 0.3g
- Color: Blue swirl
- Weight: 4.8 g

Reviews
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?ranlg&1031089600&read&d7&zzlFerrari&&
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/analog-sources/cartridges/denon/PRD_337122_5823crx.aspx

"BTW, the Denon 160 high output moving coil cartridge has surpassed my expectations. It out performs anything I've owned in the past, including Grado and Ortofon moving iron/magnets.Thanks again." - DH, Ocean View, DE, USA

THE VESSEL A3SE ULTIMATE PRE-MOUNT

"LP Tunes's The Vessel A3SE cartridge is an absolute world-beater at $99. To say I was wowed is a huge understatement, and I very clearly preferred The Vessel A3SE to a lot of $400 cartridges I have tried before. The presentation is slightly forward in perspective, with sound that is silky-smooth, rich, clean, precise and detailed, with beautiful tonality from deepest bass to highest treble. The superlatives just flow when describing it, just as beautiful music flows from this exceptional cartridge." - Don Lindich, Sound Advice Q&A Newspaper Column"¹ 

"Experiencing the Vessel A3SE and its performance at the price is probably the most shocking experience I have had in 15 years of reviewing audio. There is a complete line of The Vessel cartridges and they can also be upgraded by changing the stylus, so it can grow with you when you upgrade to a new turntable. Given how great the A3SE sounds, I can only imagine what the more expensive models are like!"² 

"Once again, I don't stop listening to my dear old vinyls (and I've got many 100s). The quality of sound with this cartridge is UNSURMOUNTED! (That is not English, is it?). Anyway, you catch my drift. I am 62 and have been through more than a few record players in my life, but this is "unheard of" (sorry for the silly pun). In short: WOW!"³

The Vessel A3SE is a wonderfully disruptive cartridge. Its generous, organic and natural Full Spectra Sound complements any type of music on your list. ⁴ The beautiful, natural tonal balance, richly harmonic presentation and spatial resolution convey sentience the energy beyond hearing, beyond listening hiding in the grooves of your vinyl. It's more than just the sound, The Vessel cartridge communicates the emotional content in the groove. You'll hear it, you'll feel it and experience it. The A3SE features a beautifully-made Super Elliptical diamond and uprated parts and materials handcrafted in Japan. Upgrading is as simple as swapping the stylus.

The Vessel A3SE Cartridge Specifications 
- Type: Moving Magnet 
- Frequency range: 20-25,000 Hz 
- Output voltage @ 1kHz: 3.0 mV 
- Channel balance @ 1kHz: <1.5dB 
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: 22dB 
- Dynamic compliance (100Hz): 8 × 10^-6 cm/dyne 
- Tracking ability at 2.0g : 60 µm 
- Cantilever: Special type aluminum pipe 
- Stylus type: Super elliptical 
- Stylus tip radius: 7.6µm × 15.5µm 
- Tracking force: 2.0 g 
- Internal impedance @ 1kHz: 670 ohms 
- Internal inductance: 270 mH 
- Recommended load resistance: 47 kOhm 
- Cartridge color, body/stylus: Black/Gold/Sky Blue 
- Weight: 6.0 g 
- Mounting hardware included: 2 × Screws, 2 × Nuts 
- Stylus replacement: A3SE stylus

The Sansui SV-101 cartridge was discontinued decades ago and is no longer available. It was made by Audio-Technica for Sansui as a private label. As latest replacement of the SV-101 cartridge, we offer the Audio-Technica AT70 cartridge which is what you will receive when you order this item. It is the same exact cartridge with stylus sans the drop down stylus guard.

For replacement styli see Relate Products.

Mono True Cartridge
The AT-MONO3/LP is a true mono cartridge - one of a select few in the world! A true mono cartridge is designed, wired and built only to retrieve signals from the record grooves in the horizontal plane. The groove of a monaural recording is modulated only in the horizontal plane. Stereo recordings, on the other hand, are cut into the vinyl at a forty-five degree angle with a separate channel of information on each of the grove walls, thus requiring the stylus to pick up signals in both the horizontal and vertical plane. As a stereo cartridge sums the channels internally, it picks up noise from the vertical plane of the record grooves. Interestingly, in a mono record much of the surface noise is in the vertical plane, so avoiding this plane is beneficial. By not even picking up or amplifying this information you eliminate a lot of the noise from mono records that you hear when played back through a stereo cartridge.

High Output Moving Coil Mono Cartridge
The Audio Technica AT-MONO3/LP cartridge a joy to hear. A high output moving coil cartridge of excellent production quality and wound with PCOCC coil for signal purity, it is designed to deliver excellent fidelity and superb clarity when playing monaural (mono) records. With its high output of 1.2mV, it can be used without additional pre-preamplification or a MC transformer in the signal path.

Our listening experience with this fine specimen of monophonic reproduction has been left us with a deeper appreciation and enjoyment of mono recordings. The Audio Technica AT-MONO3/LP capably renders the detail, sound stage, harmonic layering, dynamic contrast, low frequency response and musical verity that seemed lacking or constrained in others. Maybe it's because it's a Moving Coil mono cartridge? It's a distinction that is well-founded - along with its superior design and execution.

Proven in use for many years in Japan, the Audio-Technica AT-MONO3/LP cartridge in now available in the U.S. It brings back the pure joy of discovery and listening pleasure for mono record playing.

Audio-Technica AT-MONO3/LP Cartridge Specifications
- Tonearm mount: 1/2 inch
- Type: Moving coil, mono cartridge
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Output voltage @ 1kHz,5cm/sec: 1.2mV
- Tracking force: 1.25-2.5 g
- Recommended load: 40k - 47k ohms (determine best value by listening)
- Cantilever: Aluminum alloy
- Stylus type: Conical
- Dynamic compliance: 7 x 10-6 cm/dyne
- Static compliance: 20 x 10-6 cm/dyne
- Dimensions (mm): L26.5 x W16.6 x H16
- Weight: 6.8 g
- Accessories included: Screwdriver, screws, washers, nuts, spacer/weight, stylus brush

The Audio-Technica ATP-2XN cartridge is the perfect cartridge for disco and professional use. It was developed specifically to meet the needs for professional record playing. With its rigid, tapered tube for the stylus cantilever, records can be safely back-cued without harm. A high visibility paint dot on the stylus tip eases cueing, even in poor light. The cartridge is designed to track at practical pressures preferred for most professional tonearms. The Audio-Technica ATP-2XN cartridge comes with an extra stylus.

Audio-Technica ATP-2XN Phono Cartridge Specifications
- Output voltage @ 1kHz,5cm/sec: 5.3mV
- Frequency response: 15Hz-22kHz
- Channel balance @ 1kHz: 1.5dB
- Channel separation @ 1kHz/10kHz: 27/17dB
- Tracking force: 3 - 5 g
- Stylus type: 0.4 x 0.7 mil elliptical diamond
- Cantilever construction: Alloy tube
- Stylus color: White
- Stylus replacement: Audio-Technica ATP-N2

LP Tunes CARBON FIDELITY CF95SE CARTRIDGE 
- Music that makes you want to listen.™

Listen to the new voice of music. Carbon fiber composites offer 10 times the strength of steel at half the weight. Co-developed and designed with LP Tunes by Audio-Technica's best engineers, the new Carbon Fidelity 95 Spectra Elliptical (CF95SE) cartridge benefits from the latest quality parts and materials technology featuring a super carbon fiber cantilever that respond to the most complex high amplitude attacks and transients as well as the most heavily recorded passages. The updated design, tight specifications, Twin-Flux™ magnets, high-quality moving system fulcrum and radial damping ring allied with a Spectra elliptical diamond tip produce music that makes you want to listen.

Mastered to illuminate in comparison to lofty cartridges beyond the economics of most listeners, the CF95SE touches and endears the more you listen. You won't want to go back to your underperforming or pricey cartridge. You'll hear, feel and sense the music exquisitely rendered — harmonically full-bodied, refractive and refreshingly crystal clean with luminous detail spatially radiating with realness. You'll experience remarkable note clarity, projection and nuanced tonal complexity previously unheard and unappreciated.¹

CF95SE Phono Cartridge Details 
- Type: Moving Magnet VM Dual Magnet Stereo
- Output voltage @ 1kHz,5cm/sec.: 2.5 mV
- Channel balance at 1kHz: 2.0 dB or less
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: 20 dB
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Dynamic compliance (x10-6 cm/dyne): 6.5
- Load resistance: 47k ohms
- Load capacitance: 100 - 200 pF
- Stylus type: 0.3 × 0.7 mil Spectra Elliptical diamond
- Cantilever: Super Fidelity Carbon Fiber²
- Tracking force range: 1.5 - 2.5 g
- Tracking force recommended: 1.8 g (18 mN)
- Coil impedance at 1kHz: 2.8k ohms
- Phase polarity: In-phase, positive polarity 
- Recommended load resistance: 47k ohms
- Recommended break-in duration: 30 hours
- Color: Black, Silver, Indigo, white LP Tunes
- Weight: 5.7g ± 0.5g
- Dimensions (mm): 28.1L × 12.7W × 17.2H
- Accessories included: Brass screws × 2, and nuts × 2
- Stylus replacement: LP Tunes CFN95SE stylus

____________________________________ 
Footnote 1: A high resolution system allows full experience of the nuanced tonal complexity offered by the Carbon Fidelity CF95SE. 
Footnote 2: Carbon fiber composites offer 10 times the strength of steel at half the weight. Each producer's carbon fiber differs from those of its competitors, and the processing details are considered to be intellectual property. The special carbon fiber used in the Carbon Fidelity cartridges and styli is patiently and expertly considered for its signature characteristics to bring out the subtleties and finesse of music extracted from the grooves of records and LPs. For carbon fiber info see: "The making of carbon fiber".

GRADO BLUE 1 BLUE1 P-MOUNT T4P PHONO CARTRIDGE

Ships to US only

Grado P-mount T4P phono cartridges are acclaimed worldwide by experts as virtually the finest pickups at their price points. The Grado Prestige series of P-mount T4P cartridges are designed for high output and excellent stability under the most demanding conditions. All of the range uses Grado's patented Optimized Transmission Line (OTL) technology which makes your records sound quieter, improve the height, width and depth of the sound stage and offer more detail than previously achievable. Grado's OTL technology is all about delivering more music, more performance.

Grado Blue 3 P-mount T4P Phono Cartridge Specifications
- Type: Moving magnet
- Output voltage: 5mV
- Frequency response: 10Hz-55kHz
- Load impedance: 47k ohms
- Stylus type: Elliptical
- Stylus replacement: User replaceable
- Compliance: 20mm/N
- Tracking force: 1.0 - 2.0 g
- Recommended tracking force: 1.5 g
- Weight: 5.5 g

For stylus replacements, refer to Related Products:
- Standard stylus: Grado Blue Stylus
- Upgrade stylus: Grado Red Stylus

From the manufacturer: This .3 x .7 elliptical cartridge fits both Half-inch and P-Mount turntables. The AT-92E employs a special elliptical stylus with a smaller contact radius. This allows the cartridge to reproduce the highest frequencies with lower distortion for cleaner, more lifelike sound.

Audio-Technica AT-92ECD Cartridge Specifications
Frequency Response: 15-27,000 Hz
Channel Separation: 29/18 (dB at 1kHz/10 kHz
Vertical Tracking Force: 1.0-1.5 grams
Stylus Construction: Bonded round shank
Recommended Load Impedance: 47,000 ohms
Output: 3.5 (mV at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec)
Channel Balance: 1.25 dB
Stylus Shape: 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical
Cantilever: Alloy tube
Mount: Universal

GRADO GOLD 1 GOLD1 P-MOUNT T4P PHONO CARTRIDGE

Ships to US only

Grado P-mount T4P cartridges are acclaimed worldwide by experts as virtually the finest pickups at their price points. The Grado Prestige series of P-mount T4P cartridges are designed for high output and excellent stability under the most demanding conditions. All of the the range uses Grado's patented Optimized Transmission Line (OTL) technology which makes your records sound quieter, improve the height, width and depth of the sound stage and offer more detail than previously achievable. Grado's OTL technology is all about delivering more music, more performance.

Grado Gold 1 P-mount T4P Phono Cartridge Specifications
- Type: Moving magnet
- Output voltage: 5mV
- Frequency response: 10Hz-60kHz
- Load impedance: 47k ohms
- Channel separation: 35dB
- Stylus type: Elliptical
- Stylus replacement: User replaceable
- Compliance: 20mm/N
- Tracking force: 1.0 - 2.0 g
- Recommended tracking force: 1.5 g
- Weight: 5.5 g

For stylus replacements, refer to Related Products:
- Standard stylus: Grado Gold Stylus
- Downgrade stylus: Grado Silver Stylus

If you have lost or broken your stylus guard, we're selling replacements!

Compatible with all Ortofon 2M Series cartridges & styli. 

Have a question? Contact us here!

The monophonic Shure M78S phono cartridge is designed to accurately play 78 RPM records. Its N78S stylus replacement can also be used in any of Shure's existing cartridges for playing 78 RPM records.

Shure M78S 78 RPM Phono Cartridge Specifications
- Tonearm mount: 1/2 inch
- Type: Moving magnet
- Cantilever: Shure type I low mass, aluminum alloy/tubular, 1 mil wall thickness, 30 mil diameter
- Stylus tip: Spherical, 2.5 mil radius
- Tracking force: 1.5 - 3 g
- Output voltage @ 1kHz,5 cm/sec: 4mV
- Recommended load: 47kW in parallel with 250 pf
- Weight: 6.2 g
- Height: 15.875 mm
- Accessories included: User guide, mounting hardware,stylus guard
- Warranty: 1 year
- Recommended maintenance: Replace stylus after 600 - 1,000 playing hours
- Stylus replacement: User-replaceable Shure N78S

LP Tunes AT-9578 CARTRIDGE FOR 78RPM RECORD PLAYING

The LP Tunes AT-9578 cartridge is designed to deliver precision fidelity and musical clarity when playing 78 RPM mono records. It retrieves the sound lost in the grooves by tracing deficiencies of standard LP cartridges.

LP Tunes AT9578 Cartridge Details

• Tonearm mount: 1/2 inch
• Type: Moving magnet cartridge
• Frequency response: 20Hz-20kGz
• Output voltage @ 1kHz,5cm/sec: 3.5mV
• Tracking force: 2.0 - 3.0 g (2.5 recommended)
• Recommended load: 47K ohms
• Cantilever: Aluminum alloy
• Stylus: Highly polished special conical 3.0 mil diamond
• Dimensions(mm): H16.0 x W16.6 x L26.5
• Weight: 6.8 g
• Accessories included: Screws and nuts are provided underneath the foam within the packaging.

The Goldring Elektra is an inexpensive moving magnet phono cartridge which incorporates several audiophile features. It is in wide use and has enjoyed many positive reviews from both the audiophile press and end-users. The Golding Elektra phono cartridge possesses a tracking ability that is excellent and it uses an elliptical stylus tip. The low-mass cantilever assembly has a wide ranging compatibility with the best tonearms and turntables available.

The Goldring Elektra phono cartridge comes fitted as standard on the new turntable, the Goldring GR1.2 and other turntable brands. It's not only good - it has become the standard of initial excellence and reliability.

When you are ready to upgrade and appreciate finer presentation of music, the solution is quick and simple. You can simply replace the existing Goldring D152E stylus. We recommend the replacement for the Goldring D152E stylus, which can be purchased from the Related Products.

Goldring Elektra Phono Cartridge Specifications
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz 3dB
- Channel balance @ 1kHz: 2dB
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: 20dB
- Output voltage @ 1kHz,5cm/sec: 5mV2dB
- Static compliance: 16mm/N
- Equivalent tip mass: 0.7 mg
- Vertical tracking angle: 26
- Stylus radius: Elliptical .0007 x .0003 (18 x 7)
- Stylus type: Replaceable, Golding D152E stylus
- Load resistance: 47k ohms
- Load capacitance: 150-400 pf
- Internal inductance: 560 mH
- Internal resistance: 700 ohms
- Weight: 4.2 g
- Mounting: 1/2 inch (12.7 mm)
- Tracking force range: 1.5-3.0 g (2.0 g nominal)

The Grado Mono cartridges are designed for excellent replaying of monophonic recorded material - with less noise and more music. Each cartridge can be used for either archival or high fidelity listening.

The Grado ME+ cartridge uses a modified four-piece OTL cantilever technology, oxygen free wire in the coils and a specially designed, highly polished elliptical diamond mounted in a brass bushing.

Grado ME+ Phono Cartridge Specifications
- Type: Moving magnet
- Output voltage: 5mV
- Frequency response: 10Hz-50kHz
- Load impedance: 47k ohms
- Stylus type: Special elliptical diamond
- Stylus replacement: User replaceable
- Stylus part no.: Mono
- Recommended tracking force: 1.5 g
- Weight: 5.5 g