Mono Cartridge Database
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| Top Row (L to R): Audio-Technica VM610MONO and AT-MONO3/LP, Denon DL-102, Dynavector XV-1s, Grado ME+, Lyra Kleos Mono, Miyajima Kotetu Bottom Row (L ro R): Miyajima Zero, Ortofon OM 5E with D25M stylus, 2M Mono, Quintet Mono, CG 25, and MC Cadenza Mono |
Updated December 2023
Please note: This database focuses on cartridges intended for LP (microgroove) playback and does not include 78 (standard groove) options.
| BRAND | MODEL | MM/MC | COILS | VERTICAL COMPLIANCE | STYLUS SHAPE | STYLUS SIZE (mils) | TRACKING (grams) | WEIGHT (grams) | PRICE (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica | VM610MONO* | MM | Dual | Yes | Conical | 0.6 | 1.8-2.2 | 6.4 | $140 |
| Audio-Technica | AT-MONO3/LP | MC | Dual | Yes | Conical | 0.6 | 1.5-2.5 | 6.8 | $200 |
| Audio-Technica | AT33MONO | MC | Dual | Yes | Conical | 0.65 | 2.3-2.7 | 6.9 | $300 |
| Denon | DL-102^ | MC** | Single | Yes | Conical | 0.7 | 2.0-4.0 | 13.0 | $275 |
| Dynavector | XV-1s | MC | Dual | Yes | Line contact | 0.3 x 1.2 | 2.6-3.2 | 12.6 | $5,850 |
| Grado | MC+ | MM | Dual | Yes | Elliptical | 0.3 x 0.7 | 1.5 | 5.5 | $100 |
| Grado | ME+ | MM | Dual | Yes | Elliptical | 0.3 x 0.7 | 1.5 | 5.5 | $185 |
| Hana | SL Mono | MC | Dual | Yes | Line contact | Shibata | 2.0 | 5.0 | $750 |
| Lyra | Kleos Mono | MC | Dual | Yes | Line contact | 0.1 x 2.8 | 1.65-1.75 | 8.8 | $4,400 |
| Lyra | Etna Lambda Mono | MC | Dual | Yes | Line contact | 0.1 x 2.8 | 1.65-1.75 | 9.2 | $11,000 |
| Lyra | Atlas Lambda Mono | MC | Dual | Yes | Line contact | 0.1 x 2.8 | 1.65-1.75 | 11.6 | $14,300 |
| Miyajima | Kotetu Mono | MC | Dual | Yes | Elliptical | 0.4 x 0.7 | 3.0-4.5 | 6.4 | $675 |
| Miyajima | Spirit Mono | MC | Single | No | Elliptical | 0.4 x 0.7 | 2.0-4.5 | 9.0 | $750 |
| Miyajima | Zero A^ | MC | Single | No | Conical | 1.0 | 2.0-4.5 | 11.8 | $2,250 |
| Miyajima | Zero B^ | MC | Single | No | Conical | 0.7 | 2.0-4.5 | 11.8 | $2,250 |
| Miyajima | Infinity A^ | MC | Single | No | Conical | 1.0 | 2.0-4.5 | 14.8 | $3,650 |
| Miyajima | Infinity B^ | MC | Single | No | Conical | 0.7 | 2.0-4.5 | 14.8 | $3,650 |
| Nagaoka | MP-MONO | MM | Dual | Yes | Elliptical | 0.4 x 0.7 | 1.5-2.0 | ? | $275 |
| Nagaoka | JN-PMONO 1.0E stylus◊ | MM | Dual | Yes | Elliptical | 0.5 x 1.0 | 2.0-2.5 | N/A | $90 |
| Nagaoka | NMP1.0 stylus‡ | MM | Dual | Yes | Conical | 1.0 | 1.5-3.0 | N/A | $115 |
| Ortofon | OM D25M*** | MM | Dual | Yes | Conical | 1.0 | 2.0-3.0 | 5.0 | $145 |
| Ortofon | 2M Mono | MM | Dual | Yes | Conical | 0.7 | 1.6-2.0 | 7.2 | $425 |
| Ortofon | 2M Mono SE | MM | Dual | Yes | Line contact | 0.2 x 2.0 | 1.4-1.7 | 7.2 | $600 |
| Ortofon | Quintet Mono | MC | Dual | Yes | Elliptical | 0.3 x 0.7 | 2.1-2.5 | 9.0 | $600 |
| Ortofon | SPU CG 25 Di MkII^ | MC | Single | No | Conical | 1.0 | 3.0-4.0 | 37.0 | $1,130 |
| Ortofon | SPU Mono GM MKII | MC | Dual | Yes | Conical | 1.0 | 3.0-5.0 | 30.0 | $1,130 |
| Ortofon | MC Cadenza Mono | MC | Dual | Yes | Line contact | 0.3 x 1.6 | 2.2-2.7 | 10.7 | $1,480 |
| Ortofon | MC A Mono | MC | Dual | Yes | Line contact | 0.2 x 4.0 | 2.0-2.5 | 6.0 | $5,500 |
** Though the DL-102 is a moving coil design, its high output of 3.0 mV is suitable for moving magnet phono preamps (with manufacturer-recommended 1k ohm loading).
*** The OM is a stereo cartridge that needs to be summed to mono (the reason it is in this list is because the removable D25M stylus is 1-mil)
^ The low lateral (dynamic) compliance of these cartridges makes them best suited for custom tonearms with high effective mass ratings.
◊ 1-mil replacement stylus for stereo Nagaoka cartridges that will need to be summed to mono for the best mono playback
‡ 1-mil replacement stylus for the Nagaoka MP-Mono cartridge