The choice of the right cartridge is crucial for the sound experience of a turntable. With a variety of options available in the market, it can be a challenge to find the perfect cartridge for your music taste and vinyl collection. In this test, we examined six different cartridges in detail to evaluate their properties and sound characteristics.
Each cartridge was tested for its performance at various tracking forces, its ability to handle vinyl contaminants, and its sound character. Additionally, a recommendation for the suitable music genre for each cartridge was provided based on its individual strengths and characteristics.
Whether you are a lover of classical music, jazz, or pop, or seeking a versatile cartridge that covers various genres – this test report offers insight into the best options on the market and helps you find the ideal cartridge for your listening experience.
National EPS 206 C analogis Japan [JC]
The “fine, traditional Japanese factory for cartridges” ([JC], distributed as analogis) delivers a fine piece of technology with foldable stylus protection. The natural diamond is bonded and spherical ground. It plays very calmly, harmoniously, and the instruments have a very realistic timbre. Errors on the vinyl are well masked. Recommended for “acoustic music” such as folk, singer-songwriter, and any kind of acoustic recordings.
National EPS 206 ED analogis Japan [JC] with needle protection or EPS207 ED analogis Japan [JC] (without needle protection)
The Japanese cartridges distributed as analogis [JC] play as calmly as they are harmonious and depict the instruments very realistically. Overall, these elliptical cartridges are very lively and offer even more detail in the upper range/high frequencies. Good – in addition to classical music – also for pop and electronic music, as these cartridges have an extended frequency range compared to the spherical variant. However, the vinyl should be in a well-cleaned condition and free from deep scratches, as the stylus will reveal this.
National EPS 207 analogis Japan [JC]
The spherical ground needle is equipped with a natural diamond and played optimally with a tracking force of 1.25g. It comes out a bit more clearly “from the center”, is soft in the foundation, and overall unspectacular in its presentation. This stylus copes very well with light contaminations on the vinyl. Recommended for quieter music genres such as jazz and classical music.
National EPS 207 Stylus Company, Switzerland
The also spherical variant from Swiss production seems to prefer a little more “pressure on the groove”. At 1.25g, it has a slight tendency towards silvery tones. Here it played perfectly at 1.5g, delivering a fresh sound with a focus on the mid-range and is excellently suited for listeners of classical music.
National EPS 207 ED analogis | BLACK DIAMOND
The BLACK DIAMOND series represents a special innovation in its price range: the diamonds are artificially manufactured and are therefore black before being “naked” inserted into the needle tube. This construction method is usually reserved for higher-priced styli. The playback characteristic is characterized by a “casual” sound signature and a very detailed representation, but disturbances on the vinyl are also more audible. The needle is suitable for a wide range of music genres, especially for pop music, but requires precise adjustment of the tracking force for optimal results. It is recommended to experiment with the tracking force, as too much can lead to a sluggish sound image, while too little can result in a silvery playback.”
