Turntable Needles

[_DK]

I've got a question about turntable needles. Which ones are the best? I've heard there are ceramic/crystal ones. Is there a variation in sound reproduction?

[peritus]

Depending on what you are doing things will be different...

I've heard great things about Ortofon though....

[apl]

All good needles are diamond, but not all diamond needles are good.

The Grado Prestige Black is supposed to be a tremendous value.

[altitude909]

Is this for DJ use or Hifi?

there is a big difference. Ortofons are DJ carts

[citizenkeith]

Styluses are just like any other audio component... they each have a different sound. Some people prefer one over another. I like a flat sound with good tracking, so I use the Shure M97xE cartridge. I was using a Goldring before that but it picked up more innergroove distortion, and was a little on the bright side. You can get the M97xE for less than $100, sometimes on sale as low as $50. I couldn't afford to get something like the Shure v15, which is a nice flat workhorse of a cartridge. Records you thought were in VG condition will play NM. But Shure stopped making them recently. They went for about $300.

Of course, audiophile carts can go for thousands of dollars. Do some research and you might find something that you like in your price range. I highly recommend the M97xE... it performs like a cart three times its price.

[_DK]

Thanks for your replies!
Yeah, forgot to note that, I meant hifi use, not DJ.

[peritus]

My bad... I shoulda asked that... Thanks Alt