01 CARTRIDGE GUIDE
Your music starts at the stylus. The cartridge turns groove motion into signal — so the wrong match wastes detail, or asks too much of your arm and phono stage.
Most listeners start with Moving Magnet — higher output, simpler setup, works with most built-in phono stages. Moving Coil rewards a compatible MC stage and careful setup, often with finer detail. Match mass to your arm, output to your electronics, then choose stylus profile by how you listen.
Arthur Khoubesserian
A short guide from the bench.
02 THE DECISION
Moving Magnet and Moving Coil are not good vs bad — they are different engineering trade-offs. Start with what your arm, phono stage, and listening habits actually support.
Best for First serious upgrade, everyday listening, and decks with standard MM phono inputs.
See MM picksBest for Refined systems, careful setup, and listeners ready to match gain and loading properly.
See MC picksMM needs millivolt-level gain. MC often needs dedicated MC input or a step-up — check your amplifier or streamer first.
Cartridge compliance must suit your arm. Too stiff or too soft and tracking suffers before you hear the cartridge's character.
Elliptical is the sensible default. Fine line and microline dig deeper into worn grooves — rewarding on well-kept records.
Warm and forgiving for mixed collections, or analytical for quiet pressings and acoustic material — match the stylus to your shelves.
| Factor | Moving Magnet | Moving Coil |
|---|---|---|
| Output level | Higher (typically 2.5–5 mV) | Lower (often under 1 mV) |
| Phono stage | Standard MM input on most amps | MC input, external MC stage, or step-up |
| Stylus wear | Often user-replaceable | Usually factory service or new cartridge |
| Setup tolerance | More forgiving for first installers | Rewards careful alignment and VTA |
| Typical budget | Entry to reference under one roof | Higher entry cost; detail scales with system |
Always confirm cartridge mass and compliance with your tonearm manufacturer. When in doubt, ask — we are happy to help.
03 CURATED PICKS
Three tiers per path — entry, enthusiast, reference. These are the cartridges we recommend most often; swap any pick in the theme editor as your range evolves.
Strong value, replaceable styli, and a clear step-up path as your system grows.
£169.99
Best for First serious step up from a bundled or worn stylus — clear, balanced, and easy to live with.
Elliptical nude stylus; replaceable when the miles add up.
View cartridge
£229.99
Best for Listeners who want finer groove contact without jumping to MC gain requirements.
Microlinear profile — strong detail on well-kept pressings.
View cartridge
£369.99
Best for High-resolution collections and systems where you have alignment and isolation sorted.
Shibata stylus — among the most resolving MM options we stock.
View cartridgeConfirm MC gain and loading before you order — we can advise on arm match too.
£309.99
Best for A first MC on a capable stage — slim body fits many arms.
Confirm MC gain and loading before you order.
View cartridge
£529.99
Best for Refined systems where setup discipline is already in place.
Microlinear on boron — excellent balance of detail and musicality.
View cartridge
£1,349.99
Best for Top-tier rigs with excellent phono stage, arm match, and mechanical isolation.
Shibata on boron — for when the rest of the chain is ready.
View cartridge04 BEYOND THE STYLUS
A better cartridge exposes everything — including vibration you could not hear before. These Funk upgrades address the mechanical path from groove to ear.
Decouple the arm from airborne and structure-borne vibration so finer cartridges can do their job.
Learn about Isolation BubbleRepeatable geometry and azimuth — the setup work that keeps a good cartridge honest.
View alignment toolsStable, level support for the deck itself — the foundation before you chase the last detail.
View supportsNo — mounting (half-inch vs P-mount), effective mass, and phono gain all matter. Match the cartridge to your arm and electronics, not the other way around.
Listen for dullness, sibilance, or tracking issues on clean records. Many listeners replace after roughly 1,000–2,000 hours, but groove condition and tracking force matter more than the calendar.
If your amplifier has a standard phono input and you want replaceable styli, start with MM. Consider MC when you have compatible gain and want to invest in setup precision.
We can advise on alignment and compatibility remotely. For hands-on installation, contact us with your location — we will point you to the best option.
Tell us your turntable, tonearm, and amplifier. We will suggest a short list — no pressure, just engineering-minded advice.
