Audio-Technica VM670SP Dual Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge for 78 rpm Records

I upgraded from a VMN95SP and the difference in sound is amazing on these old records. Being designed specifically for monotone records makes the difference. More music and less noise. Others are saying the installation is tricky. It's the same for any other cartridge I've setup.

I use an ancient Garrard Type A record changer to play 78's - a necessity if you don't want to jump up every 3 minutes. (BTW: this is one of the only changers that is safe for prewar 78s.) It requires higher tracking force than any other modern 78 mono cartridge allows. The VM670SP tracks at 4.5g to 5.5g, while other cartridges have an upper limit of 2.5g. The increased force eliminates skipping, handles even badly records, and most importantly, brings out the sound from the bottom of the grooves. Prewar 78's were designed to played with steel needles, so the possibility of VM670SP increased wear with the higher tracking force of this cartridge is not a concern. I've compared with a Grado 78e - also $150. For a single-play turntable and less-worn records the Grado might have an edge, but for changers or for worn records, go with the VM670SP. Either is vastly better than the Shure M78S.

Works as intended, setup was not as easy as it could be, but once properly installed it does what it needs to do.

I have lots of old 78 rpm records (I'm old too!) and quite a few shellac records from the early 20th century. My current turntable offered that speed but did not come with a stylus or cartridge that would properly play them. After doing research the cheaper solution would be just purchasing a 78 rpm stylus and stick it in my current stereo cartridge. The problem is that to listen to them with better fidelity and less background noise, the cartridge should be wired for mono as the VM670SP is. This cartridge isn't cheap but I'm hearing my 78's with more clarity that ever before. With my Audio-Technical turntable it's a breeze to remove the headshell with my stereo cartridge, pop this one in, adjust the counterweight for more stylus pressure (about double the pressure for my stereo cartridge) and I'm good to go.

I was an idiot and had a 78 stylus hooked up to a standard stereo cartridge... It sounded terrible! With this cartridge, my 78s now sound better than CD releases of the same music!FYI, with the tracking force and anti-skate set to 5, I was experiencing a great amount of distortion on louder passages. I dropped the tracking force to 4.5 (the cart's lower recommendation) and the anti-skate to 4.25. The distortion disappeared completely! Operating a AT-LP120.

I love this cartridge, it has great sound. You get less noise because it's mono like 78s are. Playing 78s with a stereo cartridge just gives you much more noise. I do wish they also made a 2.5 mil and 3.5 mil stylus for different era 78s and for getting more music out of very worn records.

I use this product exclusively to play 78rpm records. I find this cartridge to reproduce the music within the record grooves smoothly and effortlessly.

Awesome cartridge for the $!Sounds great on my 1982 Pioneer PL 7 with a DJpre 2 phono preamp