Goldring 1042 MM Catridge Turntable

Goldring 1042

Best cartridges 2020: budget and premium options for your turntable

This is a cartridge for the audiophile who demands the ultimate sonic performance from their system, together with the convenience of a user replaceable stylus. The 1042 uses a nude, natural-diamond stylus with a Gyger S profile. This is a revolutionary line-contact type which is shaped to more closely resemble the record cutting head than any previous design. The stylus profile is the main factor governing overall sound quality in a cartridge and the shape of the Gyger S with its 6 µm radius allows it to trace the smallest groove detail with complete fidelity. Mid-range tonality is incredibly accurate and precise with high frequency sibilance banished. The extended side wall contact of the Gyger-S diamond also gives the 1042 unsurpassed resolution of the fine groove modulations, producing an exceptionally detailed, smooth and musical sound.

SPECIFICATIONS
Moving Magnet: Yes | Moving Coil: No | Cartridge weight: 7.6g | Nominal tracking weight: 1.70g | Tracking weight: 1.5–2.0g

Reasons to Buy =
Great sense of timing
Good levels
Easy to replace

Britain's oldest cartridge company doesn't disappoint with this model. The 1042 has been around since the 90s, and is still one of the best cartridges of its type. It's made of Pocan, a glass-reinforced plastic material that’s high in rigidity, so it's definitely built to last. It might be tricky to fit, but once in place it will reward you handsomely: the sound is incredibly detailed, letting you deep into the recording, with next to no noise in the background. Well worth the effort.