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The Great Under $100 Phono Cartridge Showdown!Apr 24 '05 (Updated Apr 20 '07) Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Think again if you feel that Analog restoration is too expensive or out of reach! There are some good low cost cartridges and styli currently available.
The phono cartridge is to Analog what a laser is to Digital. It can also be likened to a camera lens. The higher quality the lens...the more the resolution! Subtle details will be picked up resulting in emotion...either in the photograph or phonograph! Since the advent of the compact disc in the early 80's...phono cartridge manufacturers have had to rethink their priorities and sadly enough...more than a few have disappeared completely from the analog scene. This shift in priorities also reflects public appeal...which is considerably less than what it was in 1985. However...more than a few audiophiles are rediscovering just how good Analog can be let alone realize its superiority! With many people including myself returning to vinyl...the LP record...to find a decent low cost pickup is perceived as not so easy...at least not like it was thirty years or so ago! However...in reality it is not as difficult as one might believe! In the interest of raising the awareness level for those seeking low cost turntable restoration...I recently pitted no less than sixteen under $100 magnetic phono cartridges both classic and current in nature against each other using my vast vinyl resources including the "Professor Johnson" audiophile test record. For a complete list of what I actually used...see the bottom of this page. My reason for doing so is that I am very much aware that more than a few of you have managed to somehow hang on to your old Shure Hi-Tracks and Stantons from yesteryear and maybe thinking that a replacement stylus is not available for these classics as Shure has dropped many of them from production. My study of the situation proved that in many cases...generic styli are available and perform admirably well! Without further ado...let's introduce the players. They are as follows: audio-technica A-T 440ML, A-T 3482P, Stanton L720EE, Shure M110HE, Shure M97xE, Shure M75C, Shure M75ED Type II, Shure M70B, Shure M92E {post 1972 ver.}, Shure M25C, Ortofon OM3E, Pickering EP-HiFi, Pickering XV-15 PAC, Ortofon OM5E, Grado Prestige Blue and Stanton 500AL. Now here is how they rated in overall performance! Shure M25C...Std. Mount Only Tracking Ability=C Detail=D High Frequency/Sibilants=F Separation/Inner Groove Distortion=C Hum Rejection=B Ease Of Installation=A Durability=A Composite Score=D Price=$25 at www.musiciansfriend.com Remarks: way too warm sound quality. Looks really cool though...with its wide black body and big red stylus! Ideal for backcuing and DJ applications. Conical stylus tracks decently at 2 grams. Stanton L720EE...Universal P/S Mount Tracking Ability=C Detail=C HF/Sibilants=D Separation/IGD=C Hum=B Installation=A Durability=B Score=C Price=$35 Remarks: Classic entry level elliptical cart made available again thru www.kabusa.com for under $35. Stylus is $18 to $22. Ideal for Technics P-Mount Linear Tracking turntables where its high frequency brilliance won't be overshadowed by slightly harsh sibilants as it is when mounted in pivoting arms. KabUSA is a great internet phono cartridge store! Pickering XV-15 PAC...Std. Mount Only Tracking Ability=B Detail=C HF/Sibilants=C Separation/IGD=C Hum=C Installation=A Durability=A Score=B Price=$20 Remarks: A classic indeed with unusually high output rendering it ideal for restoring older changers. Stanton 500AL...Std. Mount Only Tracking Ability=B Detail=B HF/Sibilants=B Separation/IGD=B Hum=C Installation=A Durability=A Score=B Price=$30 Remarks: Classic enjoying a rebirth ideal for DJ use and record changer restoration. Available at www.musiciansfriend.com. Shure M75C...Std. Mount Only Detail=D High Frequency/Sibilants=F Separation/Inner Groove Distortion=D Hum Rejection=B Ease Of Installation=B+ Durability=F Composite Score=F Price=$15 Remarks: This classic radio station cart is no longer available but all M75 carts are compatible. A generic stylus manufactured by Electronic Services {Part # ES3004} was used for testing here and fell pretty well short of Shure's OEM type. The original actually sounded quite good and was very forgiving of inner groove distortion. Although it was originally designed with a stiffer compliance by Shure in the 60's & 70's...this generic replacement needle had little compliance at all with poor VTA causing the original TTF of 3 grams to force the stylus cantilever up into the body. NG!! Shure M70B...Std. Mount Only Tracking Ability=B Detail=B HF/Sibilants=B Separation/IGD=B Hum=B Installation=C Durability=B Score=B Price=$15 for conical generic replacement only as this cart is no longer available. Remarks: Tracks at 2 grams. Flourishes in classic Dual/PE changers of the 60's and 70's! Surprisingly good mids! A great replacement that can be used in many Radio Shack Realistic/Shure models! Stylus also can be used in M72 & M74 carts. Stylus is manufactured by Electronic Services...Part # ES3003 audio-technica A-T 3482P...P-Mount only Tracking Ability=B Detail=B HF/Sibilants=B Separation/IGD=B Hum=B Installation=A Durability=B Score=B Price=$30 Remarks: Conical stylus that tracks ideally at 1 1/4 grams force. Surprisingly good performance for the money. Widely available on Ebay! Grado Prestige Blue...Std. Mount Only Tracking Ability=A Detail=A HF/Sibilants=B Separation/IGD=B Hum=F Installation=F Durability=C Score=B Price=$60-$80 Remarks: This high performing cart is notorious for "Hum" problems in various turntables. In my Dual/PE the problem existed in full force while it was all but eliminated in my Pioneer PL-518. A word to the wise is sufficient! The cart did reproduce the "Professor Johnson" percussion and bells track flawlessly however...when mounted in the Pioneer. Overall sound is a bit too warm for my liking. Installation should be left to only the pro. Shure M92E...P/S Universal Mount Tracking Ability=B Detail=B HF/Sibilants=C Separation/IGD=C Hum=B Installation=A Durability=B Score=B Price=$27 Remarks: This widely available current model is not to be confused with the original Hi-Track cart of yesteryear. Tracks well at 1 1/4 grams. Shure M75ED Type II...Std. Mount Only Tracking Ability=A Detail=A HF/Sibilants=A Separation/IGD=A Hum=B Installation=C Durability=B Score=B Price=$18 stylus only Remarks: Tracks at 2 grams with generic replacement as opposed to 1 gram with OEM. Do not be put off by this as the performance in my Dual/PE 3048 was nothing short of superb! Cartridge performs exceedingly well in classic Duals, PE's, BIC's and Benjamin/Miracords of the 60's & 70's. This best selling economical classic is no longer available but a Phanstiehl generic replacement {Part # 4760-DE} featuring an elliptical .003 x .007 stylus IS available thru www.kabusa.com. This web site is easy to order from and its sales people are wonderful! Ortofon OM5E...Std. Mount Only...but P-Mount ver. is avail Tracking Ability=A Detail=A HF/Sibilants=A Separation/IGD=A Hum=A Installation=A Durability=B Score=A Price=$57 Remarks: A must for post 1982 lower priced Dual CS Series "ULM" turntables! This first-rate easily mounted 8 x 18 micron elliptical model tracks superbly at 1 3/4 grams in just about any tonearm you can think of! This cartridge has the unique ability to depict acoustical differences from one recording to the next! You'll see what I mean. The OM5E also works very well in basic belt drive turntables such as the Technics SL-B1 or Sansui 1020...although the lower cost OM3E may be a better choice for these. A P-Mount version...OMP-5E is also available. Nice output at 4mv. Available from "The Speaker Clinic" on Ebay!...http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=64620&item=5761035953&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V Ortofon OM3E...Std. Mount Only Tracking Ability=B+ Detail=B+ HF/Sibilants=B+ Separation/IGD=A Hum=A Installation=A Durability=B+ Score=B+ Price=$45 Remarks: Particularly well-suited for inexpensive classic Dual "ULM" {post 1982} & Japanese turntables w/S-shaped tonearms that sport slight bearing friction such as the American DJ 2010. Also recommended for classic AR turntables. Unusually flat extended frequency response! Available on line from www.needledoctor.com. Shure M110HE...P/S Universal Mount Tracking Ability=A Detail=B HF/Sibilants=B Separation/IGD=B Hum=B Installation=A Durability=B Score=B Price=$55-$70...replacement stylus only Remarks: This is one of the two carts featured here with an advanced stylus...Hyperelliptical in this case...that tracks precisely at 1 1/4 grams. The longer footprint of the stylus is supposed to render superior high frequency response but in reality only offers slightly above average performance. This classic cart is no longer available but a genuine Shure stylus is! My main criticism of the M110HE and its Dynamic Stabilized brother M111HE is that the cart lacks that special emotion that would otherwise place it at the very top. Pickering EP-HiFi...Std. Mount Only Tracking Ability=B Detail=C HF/Sibilants=B Separation/IGD=C Hum=B Installation=B Durability=B Score=B Price=$69 Remarks: A worthy performing modern day elliptical low mass model by Pickering with a blue stylus assembly that somewhat resembles the Ortofon OM5E but falls short of latter's performance. Lacks somewhat in subtlety and emotion. Shure M97xE...Std. Mount Only Tracking Ability=A+ Detail=B HF/Sibilants=B+ Separation/IGD=B+*****w/absolute perfect alignment only Hum=B+ Installation=A Durability=B+ Score=B+ Price=$57 thru www.amazon.com. Remarks: Although it does feature super great looks with a chrome-like body that sports a unique dustbrush...this cart only approaches first rate sound. It may very well be the most neutral sounding cartridge ever made! The cart certainly is a great cure for the harsh sound that other brighter units sometimes embrace. It needs to be pampered a bit with dead accurate "overhang adjustment". This is necessary for lower inner groove distortion and extracting the special emotion that lies within the groove walls. A free stylus protractor is available from www.enjoythemusic.com. Make no mistake though...it is a bargain! It mounts easily in just about any tonearm you can think of. The Dynamic Stabilizer/brush renders top rate warp tracking in any tonearm with low bearing friction in both planes making it suitable for both low mass straight types or medium massed "S" designs. Mates perfectly well in Rega RB-250, Dual 1200 Series, AR EB and Pioneer PL-518 tonearms. Might very well be the sleeper in this group! audio-technica A-T 440ML...Std. Mount Only Tracking Ability=A Detail=B+ HF/Sibilants=A Separation/IGD=B+ Hum=B+ Installation=B Durability=C+ Score=B+ Price=$93-$100 Remarks: This cart features the most advanced stylus of the group...Microline. It also sports a thin alloy tube cantilever that while still rendering superior high frequency reproduction is also more HD compared to earlier Beryllium versions that were somewhat brittle and snapped easily. Beautiful first-rate sound quality superior to most others in the group except for one! Use only in the finest tonearms out of reach from little tykes! Excellent performance at 1.6 grams in the Rega Planar 2 w/RB-250 arm. Available thru high end dealers such as www.audioconnect.com. Remember that the best results were experienced by yours truly when mating each cart to the right arm. The Dual/Shure and Pioneer/Grado combos are classic examples. Use good judgement! Well...I've given you the basic rundown of how my tests went with these cartridges mounted in either my classic Dual/PE 3048, Technics SL-230, Rega Planar 2 or Pioneer PL-518 turntables. So let's see who our medal winners are! Bronze: Shure M97xE Silver: audio-technica A-T 440ML Gold: Ortofon OM5E Honorable Mention: Ortofon OM3E Whatever you choose...have fun in the process as that is exactly what audio should be! Just remember to also pickup a good record cleaning brush. I personally use a Hunt EDA MK 6 Brush that can be purchased for around $20. Enjoy!!!...Peter Series II Thanks for your time and please see my full report on our "Gold Medal Winner"....http://www.epinions.com/content_326180703876 Please also see this article on turntable restoration...http://www.epinions.com/content_4304773252 My Vinyl Sources For This Review Were: "Khachaturian-The Gayne Ballet" with Loris Tjeknavorian conducting The National Philharmonic Orchestra...RCA Red Seal # CRL2-2263 {Circa 1977} "Vangelis-Heaven And Hell"...RCA # PL1-5110 {Circa 1975} "Linda Ronstadt-What's New"...Elektra-Assylum/Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Master Recording "Frederick Fennell-The Cleveland Symphonic Winds-Holst/Handel/Bach"...Telarc # Stereo 5038 {Circa 1978} "Professor Johnson's Astounding Sound Show"...Reference Recordings # RR-7 {Circa 1979} "Witches Brew"-Alexander Gibson conducting The New Symphony Orchestra Of London...RCA # LSC-2225 {Circa 1958 Reprint Under License from Polygram Special Markets} "Orff-Carmina Burana"-Robert Shaw conducting The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra And Chorus With The Atlanta Boy Choir-Soloists Judith Blegen, Hakan Hagegard and William Brown...Telarc # Stereo DG 10056/57 {Circa 1981} "Mussorgsky-Ravel-Pictures At An Exhibition"-Herbert Von Karajan conducting The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra...Deutsche Grammophon # 139010 SLPM {Circa 1972} "Mussorgsky- Pictures At An Exhibition"/"A Night On Bald Mountain"-Leonard Bernstein conducting The New York Philharmonic...CBS Great Performances # 36726 {Circa 1981-Previously released on CBS Masterworks # 6080, 6943, 7165,7014 & M31844} "Rimsky-Korsakov-Cappriccio Espagnol"-Kiril Kondrashin conducting The RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra...RCA Red Seal # LSC-2323 {Circa 1959} "Dukas-The Sorcerer's Apprentice"-Walter Weller conducting The London Philharmonic Orchestra...London FFrr # CS 6995 {Circa 1975} "Sibelius-Symphony # 2"-Andre Previn conducting The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra...Angel # S-37444 {Circa 1977} "Stokowski Spectacular"-Leopold Stokowski conducting The National Philharmonic Orchestra...Pye # 12132 {Circa 1976} "Prokofiev-War And Peace"-Werner Janssen conducting The Vienna State Opera Orchestra & The Vienna Kammerchor with soloists of The National Opera Of Belgrade...Heliodor # HS-25039-3 {Circa 1967 originally released on MGM # 3-GC2} "My Fair Lady"-Lerner/Lowe Original Cast Stereo w/Rex Harrison, Julie Andrews and Stanley Holloway...Columbia Masterworks # PS 2015 {Circa 1959} "On Your Toes"-Rogers/Hart Original Cast w/Philip Arthur Ross, Natalia Makarova and Christine Andreas...Polydor 813667-1Y1 {Circa 1983} "Classic Rock"-The London Symphony Orchestra {LSO} and The Royal Choral Society...RSO/K-Tel # NU 9580 {Circa 1979...Originally on London/Decca Records} "Children Of The Future"-The Steve Miller Band...Capitol # SN-16262 {Circa 1968} "Away We A Go-GO"-Smokey Robinson And The Miracles...Tamla/Motown # M5-136V1 {Circa 1966}.  |
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