Here is a detailed guide on the various types of cartridges and needles for turntables, their differences, and how to choose the best one for your specific turntable model:
The two main types of phono cartridges are moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC).
MM cartridges are more popular, less expensive, and have user-replaceable styli.
MC cartridges are pricier and often considered higher-end, with the stylus permanently attached.
An important point to consider
Upgrading just the stylus on your existing cartridge can be a cost-effective way to improve sound before buying a whole new cartridge. Spending more on speakers and phono preamp can often make a bigger difference than an expensive cartridge. Demoing cartridges on your own system is the best way to determine your personal preferences.
Some popular MM cartridge options to consider for various turntable models:
For the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO:
- Ortofon 2M Blue or 2M Bronze – a step up from the stock 2M Red, with more detail and dynamics[2]
- Sumiko Moonstone or Olympia – preferred by some over the Ortofon 2M series for their sound[2]
For the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB:
- Upgrade stylus for the stock AT-VM95E cartridge to elliptical (AT-VM95EN) or micro-linear (AT-VM95ML) for better tracking[3]
- AT-VM540ML – highly regarded for its sound quality on this turntable[3]
For the Rega Planar 3:
- Rega Exact – Rega’s moving magnet cartridge designed for the Planar 3[4]
- Nagaoka MP-200 – a popular high-end MM option known for warm, dynamic sound
- Dynavector 10×5 – a well-regarded high-output MC cartridge that works well with Rega tonearms[4]
For the Technics SL-1200MK7:
- Ortofon 2M Black – a pricey but high-performing MM cartridge
- Nagaoka MP-500 – another top MM option with great tracking and detail retrieval
- Audio-Technica AT33Sa or AT-OC9XML – MC cartridges that pair well with this turntable
Key factors when choosing a cartridge:
- Compliance – match the compliance to your tonearm’s effective mass to avoid resonance issues
- Output voltage – make sure your phono preamp provides enough gain, especially for MC cartridges
- Stylus shape – elliptical and microlinear shapes offer better tracking than conical
- Sound signature – consider whether you prefer a warm or analytical sound, strong bass, etc.
Citations:
[1] https://www.painfulpleasures.com/community/blog/tattoo/your-complete-guide-to-tattoo-needles/
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/turntables/comments/177acee/pro_ject_debut_carbon_evo_cartridge_upgrade/?rdt=37070
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/turntables/comments/16iuqxh/best_cartridge_for_audio_technica_lp120xusb/?rdt=40334
[4] https://youtube.com/watch?v=CgNh7d2BxCk
[5] https://www.cnctattoo.com/blogs/news/tattoo-needles-size-usage-complete-guide
[6] https://forums.whathifi.com/threads/pro-ject-debut-carbon-evo-cartridge-upgrade-sweet-spot.130449/
[7] https://vinylrestart.com/best-cartridge-upgrade-for-audio-technica-at-lp120/
[8] https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/rega-planar-3-cartridge-recommendations.1035084/
[9] https://www.barberdts.com/uk/advice-hub/tattoo-needle-guide/
[10] https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php
[11] https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/best-cartridge-upgrade-option-for-at-lp120x.901544/
[12] https://www.reddit.com/r/turntables/comments/txaele/cartridge_recommendations_for_rega_planar_3/?rdt=55480
[13] https://sumikophonocartridges.com/turntable-cartridge-types/
[14] https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=104872
[15] https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at-lp120xusb
[16] https://www.stereonet.com/forums/topic/339113-rega-planar-3-cartridge-suggestions/
[17] https://ultimatetattoosupply.com/blogs/news/the-ultimate-tattoo-needle-guide
[18] https://www.audioadvice.com/videos-reviews/upgrade-your-pro-ject-debut-series-turntable
[19] https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/support/audio-solutions-question-of-the-week-what-cartridges-and-styli-does-audio-technica-offer-for-playing-78-rpm-records/
[20] https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/a-suitable-cart-and-possible-practical-tweaks-for-a-rega-planar-3
[21] https://truegenttattoosupplies.com/blogs/news/mastering-the-needle-a-guide-to-understanding-different-tattoo-cartridge-types
[22] https://www.avforums.com/threads/suitable-cartridge-upgrade-for-pro-ject-debut-pro.2394459/
[23] https://www.woosteraudio.com/best-cartridge-for-audio-technica-at-lp120-turntable/
[24] https://vinylrestart.com/best-cartridges-for-rega-planar-three-p3/
[25] https://recordhead.biz/stylus-and-cartridge-basics/
[26] https://vinylrestart.com/best-cartridge-upgrade-for-pro-ject-debut-carbon/
[27] https://www.audio-technica.com/en-gb/press/upgrading-your-cartridge
[28] https://www.inkeeperstattoo.com/post/tattoo-needles-vs-tattoo-cartridges
[29] https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/mc-cartridge-for-pro-ject-debut-carbon
[30] https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=119389
What are the differences between elliptical and spherical cartridges?
Here are the key differences between elliptical and spherical (conical) cartridge styli:
Shape:
- Spherical styli have a rounded tip, like a ballpoint pen. This gives them a larger radius.[1][5]
- Elliptical styli have a dual radii design with a more tapered shape, allowing them to sit deeper in the record groove.[1][7]
Tracking ability:
- The broader spherical tip tracks less of the finer high-frequency groove modulations, missing some details.[1][5]
- The narrower elliptical shape makes contact with more of the groove wall, enabling more precise tracking of subtle details, especially in harder-to-track inner grooves.[1][5][7]
Sound quality:
- Spherical styli provide good overall sound but can miss some higher frequency details and subtleties.[5]
- Elliptical styli offer richer frequency response, improved phase response, lower distortion, and more detail retrieval, for a more lifelike sound.[1][5][7]
Record wear:
- Spherical styli track less of the groove, picking up less debris. This can mean less surface noise and gentler playback if tracking force is under 2g.[4][5]
- Elliptical styli sit deeper in the groove. While this improves sound, it can cause faster stylus wear and may be less forgiving of record imperfections.[5][7]
Ease of use:
- Spherical styli are easier to align properly and more forgiving of alignment issues.[5][7]
- Elliptical styli are more finicky, requiring very precise alignment for optimal performance.[1][5][7]
Cost:
- Spherical styli are generally the least expensive option.[1][6]
- Elliptical styli are pricier than spherical, with higher-end fine line and Shibata profiles costing even more.[7]
In summary, spherical suits those prioritizing affordability, durability, and ease of use, while elliptical is ideal for listeners seeking optimal sound quality and detail retrieval. Spherical is better for DJ use with frequent back-cueing, while elliptical suits hi-fi listening.[2][3][5] Owning both for different applications can be beneficial.[5]
Citations:
[1] https://blog.fluance.com/conical-stylus-vs-elliptical-stylus-on-a-turntable/
[2] https://youtube.com/watch?v=tSUOMU3Q3bc
[3] https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/blog/dj-gear/the-differences-between-spherical-and-elliptical-needles/
[4] https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=91699
[5] https://www.yoursoundmatters.com/conical-vs-elliptical-stylus-for-your-turntable/
[6] https://arstechnica.com/civis/threads/spherical-vs-elliptical-needles-major-differences-pros-cons.445662/
[7] https://www.projectaudio.com.au/blogs/vinyl-life-blog/what-difference-does-a-stylus-make
[8] https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/support/audio-solutions-question-week-question-week-can-explain-different-types-styli/