Grado DJ200 cartridge and stylus

I only just found out about these Grado DJ cartridge and stylus combination, the DJ 200i. Actuallly, there seems to be two models…the afore-mentioned one and the DJ100. My gosh. First it was Shure…now it is Grado. This DJ market was always dominated by Stanton but it looks like the others have decided that it is their time to throw their hat in the ring. I am truly astounded and according to their website:

Grado Labs announces the release of their new DJ series of professional phono cartridge. Built and designed to meet the demanding needs of the professional DJ musician, these cartridges deliver performance never known before in the pro DJ market. The Grado specially engineered transmission line cantilever allows for the ideal transfer of music signal and for safe and effective stylus back-cueing. The DJ series can track from 2 to 5 grams, and delivers the warm musical Grado sound the audio industry has embraced and enjoyed for 50 years. The DJ series incorporates our newest Flux-Bridger generator systems for lower effective tip mass and lower electrical inductance. Each DJ series cartridge is hand assembled to Grado’s high standards, which contributes to the unchallenged consistency of performance, and the Grado guarantee of reliability. The DJ series of cartridges are the most advanced phono pickups ever offered to the professional DJ market, without exception. Cartridges are packed by themselves. Stylus replacements are packages with two replacements.

Wow. I must say that I am mightily impressed by that. You know, back in the day, it was almost sacrilegious to find a DJ stylus on an audiophile turntable. DJs and their equipment were seen as red-headed step-children of audiophile equipment. Now, the audiophile brands are making equipment for the DJ industry. Wharfedale Pro is one solid example as well. All I can say is I am stoked! Can I see myself adorning my old SL1200s with these? I sure can…if they do not cost half the earth!

Shure M75ED cartridge/stylus

I remember buying a new cartridge and stylus to replace the old one on my dad’s old turntable. It cost me a pretty penny but the sound from this Shure M75ED was absolutely fantastic. It was only later, when I got full-on into DJ’ing, I replaced this cartridge with a Stanton 500AL because they were tougher. But I still love this stylus as the sound was more accurate than the Stantons. I wish that I had still kept this cartridge. I do not know what became of it. Maybe I will find it one day in my junkbox