Phono Cartridge Reviews

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Denon DL-103 phono cartridge

J. Gordon Holt, Others Jun 08, 2017 First Published: Sep 01, 1975 0 comments

This low-output moving-coil cartridge can be fitted with different styli. The basic DL-103 has a 0.5-mil spherical tip, the DL-103S a Shibata tip. As of the spring of 1975, the '103S is being imported by American Audioport, Inc., in Columbia, MO. the '103 is being brought in directly from Japan by a few dealers. Our '103 was loaned by Music & Sound of California, the '103S came from Audioport.

They are not too similar in sound. The DL-103S is incredibly clean-tracking, with a light, airy high end, a subtle zizz on string tone, and a very slightly withdrawn quality similar to the sound of the Supex 900E, but not as overly rich-sounding as the Supex.

J. Gordon Holt Phono Cartridge Reviews

Shure V15-III phono cartridge

J. Gordon Holt May 09, 2017 First Published: May 01, 1974 0 comments

The Shure V15-III is the latest of Shure's top-of-the-line "Super-track" pickups, earlier versions of which we scorned because of their dished-down response in the 6kHz range and their consequent "dead" sound. (We were unimpressed with Shure's suggestion that the pickup cable capacitance be increased to a total of around 300pF, since few audiophiles are equipped to measure either cable capacitance or frequency response).

J. Gordon Holt Phono Cartridge Reviews

Ortofon M15 Super phono cartridge

J. Gordon Holt Jun 01, 2017 First Published: May 01, 1974 0 comments

The M15 Super is the first high-output pickup to come from Ortofon. Previous ones required either step-up transformers or a booster preamp, and it is only fairly recently that either kind of step-up device was available with high-enough quality to avoid a noticeable degradation of the sound. Early step-up transformers muddied the bass, and previously-available booster preamps added noise or hardness or both to the sound. Now that there are excellent transformers available from Ortofon and other sources, and at least one extraordinarily good booster preamp (the Mark Levinson, at an extraordinarily high price$170), Ortofon's latest and best pickup doesn't require the use of either.

J. Gordon Holt Phono Cartridge Reviews

Decca Mark V phono cartridge

J. Gordon Holt Jun 08, 2017 First Published: May 01, 1974 0 comments

The Decca Mark V is the latest version of that English firm's unique "tip-sensing" stereo-matrix-ing pickups. The "matrixing" apellation refers to the fact that the Decca pickups do not use 45°45° sensing coils, but use instead a combination of vertical and lateral-sensing coils. There is a single coil for lateral sensing, with its pole pieces brought down next to the tip. This is the tip-sensing feature, whose major attribute is that the stylus motions don't have to be conveyed along the length of an armature before reaching the transducing pole pieces. Thus there is virtually no possibility of the stylus vibrations being modified through flexing of the armature prior to their transduction into audio signals.

J. Gordon Holt Phono Cartridge Reviews

Three Pickups: Which is the Best?

J. Gordon Holt Jul 05, 2017 First Published: May 01, 1974 0 comments

If you have read my reviews of the Ortofon M-15, the Shure V15-III, and the Decca Mark V, you have probably formed a pretty firm impression of which of the three contenders for the title "Best Pickup" is the winner. In case you haven't, though, here's a capsule wrap-up of our reactions to the three phono cartridges reviewed in May 1974.

J. Gordon Holt Phono Cartridge Reviews

Stanton 681EE & 681A phono cartridges

J. Gordon Holt May 11, 2022 First Published: Jun 01, 1970 0 comments

Superb tracking ability, very good imaging and extremely smooth frequency response, plus unusual freedom from mounting problems make this one of the best pickups available and, quite possibly, the best all-around performer we have encountered.

J. Gordon Holt Phono Cartridge Reviews

Shure M75E phono cartridge

J. Gordon Holt May 02, 2017 First Published: Feb 01, 1968 0 comments

This is one of Shure's new generation of pickups with "trackability" that grew out of research on the Type II V-15 pickup.

At first glance, the V-15-II and the M75E are physically identical. They're the same size, the same shape, and almost the same weight (the M75E weighs 0.8 grams less); and both of them have the same neat little hinged cover that flips down to protect the stylus when the pickup's not in use.

Historical J. Gordon Holt Phono Cartridge Reviews

Grado Model A phono cartridge

J. Gordon Holt Nov 13, 2020 First Published: May 01, 1966 0 comments

One of the best pickups we've heard to date, the Grado A was introduced with some fanfare in the fall of 1964 (footnote 1) and then, for no apparent reason, was withdrawn just one year later. It is probably still available, though, either used or, discounted, as new stock at some dealers.

Historical J. Gordon Holt Phono Cartridge Reviews

Audio Dynamics ADC-1 phono cartridge

J. Gordon Holt Aug 06, 2019 First Published: Aug 01, 1963 0 comments

We tested two samples of the ADC-1 phono cartridge, both of which were taken from a dealer's stock. One was a demonstrator that had been in use for some months. The other was brand new, right off the shelf. Both were tested in an Empire 98 tonearm and in a Gray 108-C tonearm with its damping lightly adjusted, but results with both cartridges were for all intents and purposes identical in both arms.

Historical J. Gordon Holt Phono Cartridge Reviews

Empire 880P phono cartridge

J. Gordon Holt May 30, 2019 First Published: Mar 01, 1963 0 comments

The 880P is a moving-magnet stereo cartridge for use in transcription arms and the few high-quality record changers now available, such as the Garrard Model A and the Lesa units. It has standard ½" mounting centers, and the pickup requires the 47k ohm termination provided by most preamplifiers. The 8mV output, too, is about ideal for nearly all preamps.