Half-Inch Mount Cartridges

The newly redesigned Statement Platinum1 has had its coil design reconfigured, and the effective moving mass of its generating system has been reduced by 17%. All this is hand-assembled within a machined, new processed, Australian Jarrah wood housing. The Statement Platinum1 model uses a modified four piece OTL cantilever technology achieving a 10% tip mass reduction over the Prestige series and ultra-high purity long crystal (UHPLC) oxygen free copper wire in the coils. The Statement Platinum 1 model uses Grado's specially designed elliptical diamond mounted on a brass bushing.

Grado Statement Platinum1 Cartridge Specifications
- Type: MI
- Output voltage: 0.5mV
- Frequency response: 10Hz-60kHz
- Load impedance: 47k ohms
- Channel separation: 40dB
- Stylus type: Grado specially designed elliptical diamond
- Stylus replacement: Factory replaceable
- Inductance: 2mH
- Resistance: 2
- Mounting: 1/2 inch
- Compliance: 20mm/N
- Recommended tracking force: 1.5 g
- Weight: 6.5g

The Grado Statement Reference1 retrieves all manner of musical detail lost in the long winding coils of many other cartridges. Records well known and played often in the past sound fresh and deliciously new. With its tonally complete and harmonically natural sound quality, the Grado Statement Reference1 offers astonishing wonderment and long-lasting joy.

Grado Statement Reference 1 Cartridge Specifications
- Type: MI
- Output voltage: 0.5mV
- Frequency response: 10Hz-60kHz
- Load impedance: 47k ohms
- Channel separation: 4-dB
- Stylus type: Elliptical
- Stylus replacement: Factory replaceable
- Inductance: 2mH
- Resistance: 2
- Mounting: 1/2 inch
- Compliance: 20mm/N
- Recommended tracking force: 1.5 g
- Weight: 6.5 g

The newly redesigned Statement Sonata1 has had its coil design reconfigured, and the effective moving mass of its generating system has been reduced by 17%. All this is hand-assembled within a machined, new processed, Australian Jarrah wood housing. The Statement Sonata1 model uses a modified four piece OTL cantilever technology achieving a 10% tip mass reduction over the Prestige series and ultra-high purity long crystal (UHPLC) oxygen free copper wire in the coils. The Statement Sonata 1 model uses Grado's specially designed nude elliptical diamond mounted on a brass bushing.

Grado Statement Sonata1 Cartridge Specifications
- Type: MI
- Output voltage: 0.5mV
- Frequency response: 10Hz-60kHz
- Load impedance: 47k ohms
- Channel separation: 40dB
- Stylus type: Grado specially designed elliptical diamond
- Stylus replacement: Factory replaceable
- Inductance: 2mH
- Resistance: 2
- Mounting: 1/2 inch
- Compliance: 20mm/N
- Recommended tracking force: 1.5 g
- Weight: 6.5g

Reviews

"...the Sonata does a great job in reproducing the bass?Yes, the midrange was excellent. The upper octaves of the Grado Sonata did extend to the limits of my test records and sound very smooth. Very nice indeed!"
Anthony H. Cordesman - Audiophile Voice

"And though the Sonata showed consistent excellence with stereo staging and imaging, one always sensed a truth to the recording, without exaggerated effect."
Wayne Garcia - The Absolute Sound

KOETSU BLACK GOLDLINE PHONO CARTRIDGE

Ships to US only

Throughout time, the Koetsu Black has maintained its dual role as Koetsu's entry-level model and Koetsu's best-known cartridge. In 2002, the torch was passed from Yoshiaki Sugano, the founder of Koetsu, to his son, Fumihiko Sugano - who was especially trained to take over. Thus the Koetsu Black's legacy continues and endures. Reviewers and listeners marvel and kvell the Koetsu Black as relevant and exceptional.

Koetsu Black Goldline Phono Cartridge Specifications
- Frequency response: 20Hz-100kHz
- Output voltage: 0.4mV
- Channel balance @ 1kHz: 0.50dB
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: 25dB
- Stylus type: Proprietary
- Cantilever: Boron
- Tracking force: 1.8-2.0 g
- Compliance: 5 x 10-6 cm/dyne @ 100 Hz
- Coil Wiring: Copper
- Magnet: Somarium cobalt
- Body: Anodized aluminum
- Stylus color: Red
- Weight: 10.8 g

Reviews
"Its sound was lovely: smooth, textured, exceptionally colorful, and just a little rolled off in its treble range."

"The Koetsu Black phono cartridge is a lovely, musical product..."

- Stereophile Class B Recommended Component Vol. 31 No.10 October 2008

"The Koetsu's timbral richness and realism were a joy..."

- Art Dudley, Stereophile, July 2007

The Koetsu Bloodstone Platinum cartridge is a work of art technically and artistically. Each is handmade. Each coil is likewise hand wound. It is designed to visually and sonically deliver music as artfully, technically and artistically as the record artist meant it to be.

Koetsu Bloodstone Platinum Phono Cartridge Specifications
- Body: Bloodstone
- Type: Moving coil
- Coil wiring: Silver-plated copper
- Magnet: Platinum
- Stylus type: Proprietary
- Cantilever: Diamond
- Output voltage: 0.3mV
- Frequency response: 20Hz-100kHz
- Channel balance @ 1kHz: >0.5dB
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: >25dB
- Inner impedance: 5 ohms
- Recommended impedance: 30 ohms
- Weight: 12.5 g
- Compliance: 5 x 10-6 cm/dyne @ 100 Hz

The Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum is a remarkable cartridge. It changes your perception of what a cartridge can do as it lifts the performance of the entire system's sound quality. It does an exceptional job of melding lushness, harmonic fullness, sweetness, and musicality with today's quest for linearity, extension, air, focus, palpability, and openness. Once you experience this celestial level of natural sound quality reproduction, there is no going back.

Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum Phono Cartridge Specifications
- Frequency response: 20Hz-100kHz
- Output voltage: 0.3mV
- Channel balance @ 1kHz: 0.50dB
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: 25dB
- Stylus type: Proprietary
- Cantilever: Boron
- Tracking force: 1.8-2.0 g
- Compliance: 5 x 10-6 cm/dyne @ 100 Hz
- Coil Wiring: Silverplated Copper
- Magnet: Platinum
- Recommended Impedance: 30 Ohms
- Body: Rosewood with clear lacquer
- Weight: 9 g

LP GEAR AL3600LE CARTRIDGE

As part of our continuing enhancement roadmap, we research materials that could be used to improve the sound quality of cartridges and styli. We think that panzerholz is an investigative possibility. BUT there is no manufacturer of panzerholz cantilevers. So for now that is a dead-end. The next best and proven material is Aluminum. You can see the result of an investigation at: https://www.lessloss.com/page.html?id=80. Given this information, we decided to follow this path, and the result is the AL3600LE cartridge you see here. After numerous sound quality testing and comparisons using aluminum alloy, various dampers, and magnets, we surmised the made in Japan AL3600LE is superior to the CF3600LE in its ability to delineate music more naturally than Carbon Fiber clad plastic (cantilevers) across the listening spectrum.

● Aluminum alloy cantilever technology for timbre fidelity
● Harmonically exquisite, refractive, large multidimensional soundstage
● Alloy cantilever for musically authentic response to grooves
● Spectra elliptical diamond for excellent tracing accuracy
● Diamond tip r/R radii: 8 × 18µm (.0003 x .0007 inch)
● LP GEAR® — above and beyond originals, copies, types, and generics

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 LP Tunes AT95C phono cartridge is designed for the fastidious turntable owner who aspires for extraordinary musical results, minimal price and an easy upgrade path towards further musical discovery. In this manner, one can have instant gratification and when the listener is ready for further musical enjoyment, all that needs to be done is to upgrade the stylus. You can save from the start and in the future. With the LP Tunes AT95C phono cartridge, you can hear high fidelity captured right from the record grooves. Start listening to what you've been missing!

LP Tunes AT95C Phono Cartridge Specifications
- Output voltage @ 1kHz,5cm/sec.: 4mV
- Channel balance: within 2dB
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: > 20dB
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Load resistance: 47k ohms
- Load capacitance 100-200 pf
- Stylus type: Polished conical diamond stylus
- Tracking force range: 2.0-3.0 g
- Tracking force recommended: 2.5 g (25 mN)
- Vertical tracking angle: 20°
- Coil impedance @ 1kHz: 2.8k ohms
- Coil inductance @ 1kHz: 400 mH
- Color: Black/Red
- Weight: 6.6 g
- Dimensions (mm): 30.5l x 17w x 17.20h
- Stylus replacement: LP Tunes ATN95C

With the new AT95CE, LP Tunes envisioned a phono cartridge that would set a new and higher benchmark for sound quality, musicality and value. The LP Tunes AT95CE delivers. It is a cartridge that an avid LP listener and audiophile can enjoy and recommend with confidence to friends and family who can and would like to appreciate great sound quality so long as it is not expensive.

The LP Tunes AT95CE cartridge offers natural sound quality, detail, dynamics, solid bass, high frequency extension, clarity and very high fidelity. It will humble cartridges from established brands many times its price.

We use the same exact and proven AT95 cartridge body. A highly polished special conical diamond stylus with .0005 x .0006 inch scanning radii bonded to a thin wall Zualum cantilever enables the cartridge to resolve record groove information with more fidelity and dexterity.

LP Tunes AT95CE Phono Cartridge Specifications
- Output voltage @ 1kHz,5cm/sec.: 3.5mV
- Channel balance: Within 2dB
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: > 20dB
- Frequency response: 20Hz-21kHz
- Load resistance: 47k ohms
- Load capacitance 100 - 200 pf
- Stylus type: Special conical diamond .0005 x .0006 tracing radii
- Tracking force range: 1.5 - 2.5 g
- Tracking force recommended: 2 g (20 mN)
- Vertical tracking angle: 20°
- Coil impedance @ 1kHz: 2.8k ohms
- Coil inductance @ 1kHz: 400 mH
- Color: Black/Yellow
- Weight: 6.5 g
- Dimensions (mm): 30.5l x 17w x 17.20h
- Stylus replacement: LP Tunes ATN95CE

Imported and packaged by LP Tunes, the AT95E phono cartridge has a very distinguished and colorful lineage. On its own, it has been a multiple recipient of Best Buy ratings in the UK. Its lineage is intertwined with the classic and musically acclaimed Linn Basik, K5 and K9 phono cartridges. Unlike these cartridges however, the AT95E is delightfully affordable and available. Since October 2004 and up to the present, the AT95E is included in the Stereophile Recommended Components List. It is the only inexpensive phono cartridge to be included in this highly selective recommended list! The review summarized the performance of the AT95E with the following words: "Makes music for 50 bucks!"

Paul Szabady in Stereotimes March 2007 had this to say about the LP Tunes AT95E phono cartridge:

LP Tunes AT95E Phono Cartridge Details
- Output voltage @ 1kHz, 5cm/sec.: 3.5mV
- Channel balance: Within 2dB
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: > 20dB
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Load resistance: 47k ohms
- Load capacitance 100-200 pf
- Stylus type: 0.4 x 0.7 mil elliptical diamond stylus
- Tracking force range: 1.5-2.5 g
- Tracking force recommended: 2 g (20 mN)
- Vertical tracking angle: 20
- Coil impedance @ 1kHz: 2.8k ohms
- Coil inductance @ 1kHz: 400 mH
- Color: Black/Green
- Weight: 6.5 g
- Dimensions (mm): 30.5l x 17w x 17.20h
- Stylus replacement: LP Tunes ATN95E

Note: Details are subject to change without notice.

Awards
Stereophile Recommended Component: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011 & April 2012 (Vol. 35 No. 4)

Renowned as the best buy in cartridges and probably 10x better than the AT95E¹, the LP Tunes AT95SA phono cartridge delivers pinnacle performance offering discerning listeners musical bounty impeccably graced from the record grooves by its highly polished Shibata diamond stylus. The LP Tunes AT95SA is designed for audiophile quality listening and for converting records to digital when the intent is to listen to digitized music as you would the original record or LP.

Developed by LP Tunes, the AT95SA phono cartridge is the culmination of over a year's research, development and testing of many styli and designs from various manufacturers. The critical and comparative advantage is the use of a newly reincarnated Shibata diamond each exquisitely polished with precision and then carefully mounted on a thin wall Zualum tubular cantilever for natural sound quality, long playing life and exceptional tracing of record grooves. Due to the Shibata's exceptional extractive capability, it was recommended for quadraphonic, quad, CD-4 audio systems and was used in highly acclaimed phono cartridges such as the Grace F9L, Stanton 881S, and Audio-Technica AT20SS. (In 2008, the Shibata diamond was employed by another cartridge manufacturer and is offering a cartridge of similar stature in excess of $700.00.)

The result supreme musical accuracy, harmonic purity and faithfulness to the original recording. While there are newer designs under different nomenclatures promising better parametric performance, we believe based on our ears and many others we trust that the Shibata-based LP Tunes AT95SA divines music with faithful accuracy, coherence and elegance.

Paul Szabady in Stereotimes March, 2007 had this to say regarding the LP Tunes AT95SA phono cartridge.

LP Tunes AT95SA Phono Cartridge Details
- Output voltage @ 1kHz, 5cm/sec.: 3.0mV
- Channel balance: Within 2dB
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: > 22dB
- Frequency response: 20Hz-22kHz
- Load resistance: 47k ohms
- Load capacitance 100-200 pf
- Stylus type: Shibata diamond
- Tracking force range: 1.5-2.5 g
- Tracking force recommended: 2 g (20 mN)
- Vertical tracking angle: 20
- Coil impedance @ 1kHz: 2.8k ohms
- Coil inductance @ 1kHz: 400 mH
- Color: Black/Gray
- Weight: 6.6 g
- Dimensions (mm): 30.5l x 17w x 17.20h
- Stylus replacement: LP Tunes ATN95SA

Note: Details are subject to change without notice.

_______________________________________
¹ Michael Fremer, "Nine Cartridges Reviewed, Compared and File Identities Revealed!", Analog Planet, August 22, 2013.

The new LP Tunes AT95SE phono cartridge improves on the sonic achievement of the best inexpensive cartridge, the AT95E, by offering a higher level of natural sound quality with more fidelity, clarity and harmonic richness graced from the record grooves.

We use the same exact and proven AT95E cartridge body. The difference is the highly polished special elliptical diamond stylus with .0003 x .0007 inch scanning radii bonded to a thin wall Zualum cantilever which enables the rejuvenated unit to recover more fidelity and natural sound quality from the record grooves.

LP Tunes AT95SE Phono Cartridge Details
- Output voltage @ 1kHz, 5cm/sec.: 3.5mV
- Channel balance: Within 2dB
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: > 20dB
- Frequency response: 20Hz-21kHz
- Load resistance: 47k ohms
- Load capacitance 100 - 200 pf
- Stylus type: Special elliptical diamond .0003 x .0007 tracing radii
- Tracking force range: 1.5-2.5 g
- Tracking force recommended: 2 g (20 mN)
- Vertical tracking angle: 20
- Coil impedance @ 1kHz: 2.8k ohms
- Coil inductance @ 1kHz: 400 mH
- Color: Black/Dark Green
- Weight: 6.6 g
- Dimensions (mm): 30.5l x 17w x 17.20h
- Stylus replacement: LP Tunes ATN95SE

Note: Details are subject to change without notice.

The LP Tunes AT-95VL AT 95VL AT95VL phono cartridge elevates the sound quality achievement of the best inexpensive cartridge, the AT95E, to a much higher level of musical grace thus giving the listener more discernment, more music to enjoy and audiophile fidelity captured from the record grooves. The LP Tunes AT95VL is recommended for higher quality listening and for converting records to digital when the intent is to enjoy digitized music as you would the original recording.

A brand new development by LP Tunes, the AT95VL AT-95VL phono cartridge is the culmination of over a year's research, development and testing of many styli from various manufacturers. We use the same exact and proven AT95E cartridge body. The critical difference is in the newly designed ViVid Line diamond stylus carefully mounted on a thin wall Zualum tubular cantilever for natural sound quality. The result - superb fidelity captured right from the record grooves.

LP Tunes AT95VL Phono Cartridge Details
- Output voltage @ 1kHz, 5cm/sec.: 3.0mV
- Channel balance: Within 2dB
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: > 20dB
- Frequency response: 20Hz-21kHz
- Load resistance: 47k ohms
- Load capacitance 100-200 pf
- Stylus type: Vivid-Line Contact
- Tracking force range: 1.5-2.5 g
- Tracking force recommended: 2 g (20 mN)
- Vertical tracking angle: 20
- Coil impedance @ 1kHz: 2.8k ohms
- Coil inductance @ 1kHz: 400 mH
- Color: Black/Blue
- Weight: 6.6 g
- Dimensions (mm): 30.5L x 17W x 17.20H
- Stylus replacement: LP Tunes ATN95VL

Note: Details are subject to change without notice.

Please note:
The LP Tunes AT95VL phono cartridge is upgradeable to the LP Tunes AT95SA phono cartridge by simply replacing its stylus with the LP Tunes ATN95SA stylus.

LP Tunes CARBON FIDELITY CF3600LE 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. Codeveloped and designed with LP Tunes by the same Audio-Technica team that developed their lofty cartridges, the new Carbon Fidelity (CF) 3600LE harnesses carbon fiber technology to advance the state of existing Audio-Technica AT3600 cartridges and all of its versions. 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. Higher fidelity from carbon technology.

"This is an amazing cartridge for the money. This cartridge digs into the grooves and gives a musical presentation with very good detail, excellent bass and natural midrange. I have had super pricey cartridges and I don't miss them. Not saying it's in same league as my 1k Clearaudio cartridge, but this thing just plays music that makes me want to listen. I have several pairs of high quality speakers and amps and have had same experience on all of my gear. I am playing more vinyl than ever because I am not thinking about a $500 re-tip of my pricey cartridge. Absolute no brainer purchase. Don't let price fool you. I have recommended to several friends all of whom purchased and enjoy it."¹ 

Mastered to illuminate against lofty cartridges beyond the economics of most listeners, the CF3600LE 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. It will surprise and astound.

"Well, it sounded pretty good for an mm cart. To me it sounded more like a Grado 8MR without the dreaded Grado hum. Neutral, light, pleasing and easy to listen to. These are made by Audio-Technica and rebranded LPG. Good price considering the materials used (carbon fiber). Though a different character from the ATN95E this one has a receptive and inviting tone." ² 

"The sonic improvement was noticeable in terms of high frequency clarity and extension and improved detail." ³ 

"Best budget cartridge available. I compare it with the AT-120e as far as sound quality goes." ⁴ 

You are better off replacing the cartridge, or at the very least replacing the stylus with the $29.98 LP Gear CFN-3600LE, which improves the sound and lets you track a gram lighter at 2.5 grams." ⁵ 

CF3600LE Phono Cartridge Details 
- Type: Moving Magnet VM Dual Magnet Stereo
- Output voltage @ 1kHz,5cm/sec.: 2.5 mV
- Channel balance at 1kHz: 2.5 dB or less
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: over 18 dB
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Load resistance: 47k ohms
- Load capacitance: 100 - 200 pF
- Stylus type: 0.3 × 0.7 mil Spectra Elliptical diamond
- Cantilever: Super Fidelity Carbon Fiber⁶
- Tracking force range: 1.8 - 3.5 g
- Tracking force recommended: 2.5 g (25 mN)
- Coil impedance at 1kHz: 2.8k ohms
- Recommended load resistance: 47k ohms
- Recommended break-in duration: 30 hours
- Color: Black, Silver, Indigo
- Weight: 5.0 g
- Dimensions (mm): 30.0L × 16.9W × 17.0H
- Accessories included: Brass screws × 2, and nuts × 2
- Stylus replacement: LP Tunes CFN3600LE stylus

____________________________________ 
Footnote 1: Customer Review, "LP Tunes CF3600LE phono cartridge". 
Footnote 2: Customer Review, "LP Tunes CF3600LE Cartridge Set". 
Footnote 3: Michael Fremer, "Pioneer PL-30-K Automatic Single Play Turntable", Analog Planet, June 10, 2015. The esteemed reviewer compared, evaluated and found the LP Tunes CFN3600LE stylus to offer obvious sonic and tracing improvement as well as lower tracking force for record preservation. 
Footnote 4: Customer Review, loc.cit. 
Footnote 5: Michael Fremer, "Onkyo's CP-1050 Direct Drive Turntable", Analog Planet, July 21, 2015. The esteemed reviewer recommends the CF3600LE cartridge or CFN3600LE stylus depending on customer preference. 
Footnote 6: 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". 

LP Tunes Music listening equipment: Graham Slee Reflex M phono preamp, Graham Slee Elevator EXP headamp, Denon AU-300LC Step-up transformer, Graham Slee Proprius mono amps, Quicksilver Silver 88 mono amps, Roadrunner Digital Turntable Tachometer, Sota Sapphire turntable, Audience SE Phono Cable, Audience Ohno speaker cables, Rogers LS3/5A speakers, Audience ClairAudient 1+1 Loudspeakers, Krell LAT 2 speakers, Yamaha NS1000M speakers, LP Tunes CF3600LE cartridge, Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge, Rega Carbon, Supex SD 901 Super cartridge, Denon DL-103 cartridge, Denon DL-110 cartridge, Grace F-9E cartridge.