The Cartridge Files: Part I - First Cuts
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As one of Audio T’s resident “turntablistas”, I’m often asked about what cartridge to pair with what deck, or tonearm, or phono stage/preamp, either with a view to an upgrade or simply to appoint a synergistic cartridge for a new or pre-loved turntable setup. With very few exceptions, it’s often not the case that one cartridge fits all – the choice of turntable cartridges is so vast that it can quickly become confusing or frustrating. If you’ve found yourself at a similar cartridge crossroads, or even if you haven’t, please do read on – it would be great to take you on a voyage to help you find your very own record needle in a haystack…
The aim of this mini-series is to hand-pick a selection of highly performing cartridges at different price points, tell you a little bit about how they sound or present, and put forward cases in which the cartridge is likely to shine or synergise with your record-playing equipment. This is based on my own experience of having fitted more of these little electromechanical generators than is considered healthy – I really do need to get out more.
The suggestions made here aren’t intended to be the last word in cartridge coupling – there are many other permutations that will work exceedingly well, and each of the fabulous vinyl techies at our Audio T stores has established their own pairings that truly shine. For anyone wishing to find out what personally works for them, at Audio T Reading we are happy to entertain you with a cartridge demo. But for now, grab yourself a cuppa and get comfy – whether it’s to help with making a shortlist or making a final choice, here are three phono pickups (from a nerdy cartridge-phile) to kick off Part I of The Cartridge Files (cue curious sci-fi music).
AUDIO-TECHNICA VM95EN AND VM95ML
These first cuts will focus solely on MM cartridges, better suited to someone looking for a first upgrade. Of course, every upgrade is relative to what your starting point is, but let’s presume we are coming from a phono pickup that came as standard with an entry-level turntable – say a Rega Carbon or an Audio-Technica VM95E, etc. – then the Audio-Technica VM95EN (the orange one) or the VM95ML (the red one) represent a first genuine step up in performance. A very neat feature of the VM95 cartridges is that their styli are interchangeable, facilitating an upgrade pathway that can be fitted by the user, as long as their hand is steady (and they haven’t slurped on too many coffees).
The Orange One: The VM95EN has an engaging presentation with a finely judged tonal balance. There’s enough detail to keep you interested, and it never leans into being too analytical – this is good news as it’s more forgiving of poorer recordings, and it softens the harsher edges on thrashier music genres. It genuinely imbues musicality, which makes for an enjoyable listen, but where the orange falls short of its bigger red brother is its stylus lifespan – an average of 400 hrs vs the red’s 1000 hrs – and it may become more susceptible to record surface noise as it wears, as well as inner groove distortion on the tighter vinyl tracks nearing the centre of the record. While at around £120*, it’s cheaper to buy than the red, the main reason to pick the VM95EN is its peppy, easy-going and musical sonic nature.
The Red One: The VM95ML is also tonally well judged, but a more incisive beast compared to the orange. The red’s stylus tracks deeper and truer than the orange, bypassing any record surface noise whilst yielding a more precise rendition from each record. This cartridge really shines when the music (and therefore the corresponding cut in the record) gets busier or more complex, breezing through those passages without losing traction. If you like a cleaner and leaner presentation, or perhaps want to balance out a thicker sound from your turntable, then this red one may well be for you. While the VM95ML can veer into sounding analytical at times, with careful system matching and setup, the detail plus high and low frequency extension on offer can be rewarding, especially at the price of around £155*. A little secret – it can truly astound on suspended higher-end turntable designs, such as the venerable Linn LP12. It’ll last longer than most cartridges too, without suffering the ill effects of inner groove distortion.
GOLDRING E4
The Goldring E4 has an interesting mix of virtues; it presents with a refinement and maturity that is hard to find at the price point of around £200*, but one of its key strengths is how well it dovetails with many manufacturers’ turntables. Pair it with a Rega Planar 2 or Planar 3 and it takes forward the pace, rhythm and timing strengths that the Rega decks are well known for. But then partner the E4 with a Pro-Ject T2 or Debut EVO 2 and the cartridge neatly showcases the neutral, clean, and precise nature of the Pro-Ject vinyl spinners. This chameleon-like feature is a very neat party piece.
In addition to the aforementioned strengths, the Goldring E4 is a competent groove tracker, largely steering clear of any surface noise that may be on the vinyl and capable of riding those inner grooves free from distortion within its average 450 hrs stylus lifespan. It’s a natural and controlled sounding pickup, which might verge on being too polite for some. But its refined way of retrieving detail in a more subtle manner makes for a fatigue-free listening experience. If your deck is a little bright or explicit in its delivery, the refinement of the E4 could well be a good counterpoint.
ORTOFON 2M AND 2MR BLUE
Is there a more universally recognised line of cartridges than Ortofon’s 2M series? Many turntables ship with an Ortofon 2M Red as standard, a none-too-shabby phono pickup to get your vinyl spinning journey underway, but certainly not the beating heart of accomplished high-fidelity performance. One of the coolest features of the Ortofon 2M Red is that, by way of a simple stylus swap, you can turn it into a hot-rodded 2M Blue. Or if you don’t have a 2M series cartridge to start with, you can make a direct beeline for an Ortofon 2M Blue or 2MR Blue, priced at £169*.
The main significant difference between Ortofon’s 2M and 2MR series is the height of the cartridge, where the ‘R’ denotes a ‘Reduced’ height, with no difference in sonic performance between the 2M and 2MR. This makes the 2MR more suitable for a Rega (or Rega iteration of) turntable, where its vertical dimensions mimic that of Rega’s typically less-tall cartridge bodies.
With the 2M and 2MR Blue, detail retrieval and dynamics come across as key attributes, especially relative to the 2M and 2MR Red. It cuts straight to the chase with a forward and unflabby performance, foregoing a warmer, more rounded delivery for a neutral, more edgy and spotlighted presentation. If you value a more hi-fi-focused, detail-oriented approach, or if you have a system or deck that lacks sparkle or extension in the highs, then the 2M and 2MR Blue may well be a transformative step forward. On the other hand, to prevent the risk of listener fatigue, implementing this cartridge with an already bright system is largely not advised. While the Blue might not be the most tolerant of any surface noise that exists on your records, and while it might not match the VM95ML in those pesky inner grooves, its overall energy and impact will delight the thrill-seekers among us during its approximate 1000 hrs stylus life.
REACHING THE RUN-OUT GROOVE
As we arrive at the dead wax on Part 1 of this cartridge series, it’s worth mentioning that because cartridge matching depends on your turntable setup as well as your personal requirements, there is no particular order or hierarchy to the featured cartridges here. It’s also worth pointing out that the highlighted pickups comprise at least a nude elliptical stylus profile; not to be confused with how Homo sapiens once roamed the earth, nude in this case refers to the stylus being firmly gripped in place rather than glued or bonded in place, which more often leads to auditory improvements across the board (for present-day fully clothed humans, hopefully). This ensures you are getting a true advancement from an entry-level conical or elliptical bonded stylus, which can’t dig as deep or transfer its vibrational energy quite as adeptly.
There are, of course, excellent cartridges that just missed out on being featured here, such as the Rega Nd3 or Sumiko Olympia, to name two. It’s not because they aren’t of the required performance or quality – far from it. There are many scenarios where these phono pickups fit the bill perfectly, and it’s worth having a chat with us about your requirements so that we can appoint the right cartridge for you. The ones that are featured, however, embody a mix of high value, versatility across a number of applications, stylus replaceability and interchangeability, along with sonic improvements that many will appreciate when making a first upgrade.
That said, watch this space and stay tuned to upcoming parts of this series dedicated to cartridges; many of the manufacturers that haven’t grabbed the limelight just yet may well have some little music-making generators that come into their own further up the ladder.
Thanks for reading, Rishi
Rishi, Gareth and Dan – Audio T Reading
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*All prices, credit terms and interest rates quoted are correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change. E&OE
