Cartridges & Stylus

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Find the Right Cartridge or Stylus for Your Turntable

Looking for a turntable cartridge or replacement stylus? At ALBEPRO, you'll find a wide range of high-quality cartridges and diamond styli, suitable for both casual listeners and dedicated analog enthusiasts.

Visit our showroom in Helmond or order online with ease. We always provide personal and expert advice.

Brands & Assortment

At ALBEPRO, we offer cartridges and styli from leading brands including:

Audio-Technica, Benz Micro, Denon, Goldring, Grado, Nagaoka, Ortofon, Skyanalog, Technics

Each brand has its own sonic character and technical features, helping you find the perfect match for your turntable and listening preferences.

➡️ Browse by brand or filter by type using the menu on the left-hand side of this page.

What Is a Cartridge and What Is a Stylus?

The cartridge converts vibrations from the groove into an electrical signal. The stylus (needle) is the contact point that moves through the groove and picks up these vibrations.

A typical cartridge consists of:

Housing with magnets and coils
Cantilever – the thin rod to which the stylus is mounted
Stylus – the diamond tip that tracks the groove

Most modern systems are modular: you can replace the stylus without having to replace the entire cartridge.

Stylus Types: Shape and Sound Differences

Type	Description	Advantages / Disadvantages
Conical (Spherical)	Rounded tip (0.7 mil)	Durable, affordable — less detail, faster wear
Elliptical	Oval-shaped tip	Better high-frequency detail — sensitive to alignment
Hyperelliptical	Advanced elliptical shape	More detail — more expensive, requires precise setup
Shibata	Long, narrow tip	Excellent high-frequency response — accurate alignment required
Line Contact	Elongated contact area	Extreme detail, long lifespan — sensitive to alignment
Special Line Contact	Optimized LC shape	Superior detail — costly, needs precision setup
MicroLine / MicroRidge	Ultra-fine polish	Maximum resolution — perfect alignment necessary
78 RPM (3 mil conical)	Broad tip	For vintage 78s — not suitable for modern LPs

Stylus Tip Size: Mil vs Millimeter

Stylus Type	Mil (0.001 inch)	Millimeter (mm)
Standard LP Stylus	0.5 – 0.7 mil	0.0127 – 0.0178 mm
78 RPM Stylus	2.5 – 3.0 mil	0.0635 – 0.0762 mm
MicroLine / Special LC	0.3 – 0.7 mil	0.0076 – 0.0178 mm

Sound Characteristics by Stylus Type

Stylus Type	Detail	Distortion	Soundstage	Tonal Quality
Conical	⭐⭐☆☆☆	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	⭐⭐☆☆☆	Warm, rounded
Elliptical	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	Neutral, clear
Shibata	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Open, spacious
Special Line Contact	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Transparent, nuanced
MicroLine	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Analytical, precise

Stylus Lifespan (Average)

Type	Average Lifespan
Conical	300 – 500 hours
Elliptical	500 – 800 hours
Shibata / Line Contact	800 – 1000 hours
Special LC / MicroLine	1000 – 1500 hours

Tips for Extended Stylus Life:

Set the correct tracking force
Keep your records clean
Clean the stylus regularly with a stylus brush or gel

Repair & Maintenance

ALBEPRO offers professional maintenance and repairs for almost all turntable models and brands. We expertly calibrate your turntable so you can enjoy optimal sound quality for years to come.

➡️ Visit our repair page for more information.

Need Personal Advice?

Feel free to contact us:

Phone: +31 492 779000
Email: info@albepro.nl
Or visit our showroom in Helmond

Start Listening Better Today

Whether you're looking for your first replacement stylus or a high-end MC cartridge, at ALBEPRO you'll find quality, expertise, and service — all under one roof.