The Stylus, the Cartridge, and the Headshell, Explained

For the veteran vinyl DJ:  this post isn't exactly for you. In fact, you may find it hard to believe that we even wrote something like this. But for the newbie that's just getting started, and the ones that don't quite understand the concept of turntable needles, cartridges, etc...listen up. This is one of the most valuable lessons you may receive in making yourself look somewhat experienced in the world of turntables.

We write this article for the sake of saving the newbie from the trouble of an incorrect purchase. As with most dealers, cartridges are non-returnable unless defective, so if you make the mistake you may be out of luck.

Couple of important things to remember:

• A stylus (or styli for plural) is NOT cross compatible with another brand, and in nearly all cases, won't work on a different model. (A Stanton stylus won't work on a Shure cartridge; A Shure M35X stylus won't work on a Shure M44-7 Cartridge).
• Most DJ headshells will work with any DJ cartridge. These ARE cross compatible

• A stylus can NOT be mounted to a headshell or tonearm. You need the cartridge. 
• A stylus can NOT be mounted to a headshell or tonearm. You need the cartridge.
• A stylus can NOT be mounted to a headshell or tonearm. You need the cartridge.

• A cartridge without a tonearm element (headshell or similar) can NOT be screwed into a turntable tonearm without the headshell
• MOST cartridges come with a stylus. The stylus will eventually need to be replaced after heavy use. Always carry a spare. 

Will any needle work on my turntable?
That depends on your turntable. Most DJ turntables follow a standard for their tonearms, allowing you to mix and match brands. If you don't know if you have a DJ turntable, the easiest way to tell is if you have a pitch slider on your deck. In most cases, a pitch slider will indicate that you have a DJ turntable, and you can almost rest assured that most DJ cartridges will work for your turntable. Again, this is the simplest way to tell. If there are any instances where this is not the case, they're rare. The important thing to know is there are a LOT of consumer turntables and cartridges out there, so make sure you're buying something labeled for DJs at the very least. Click here for a list of some of the most common DJ turntables available for sale today. (Note: This link does not include the ever so popular Technic 1200's, which are no longer manufactured)

Do I really need a headshell?
Well, that kind of depends on the needles you're using. Shure cartridges like the M44-7 and the Gemini CN-15 need to be mounted to a headshell, which is then screwed in to the tonearm. Notice the screw slots on the sides of the cartridges designed to mount to the headshell. Most cartridges will come with the screws for the headshells.

 



On the other hand, the Shure Whitelabel and most Ortofon needles do not require a headshell, as the mounting element is built in to the cartridge, like so:




So which needles are best for DJing?
This is a somewhat tough question, but there are plenty of "standards" that folks will attest to, and the majority decision is usually the best one to help you at least pick something out.

Here are a couple of "budget-minded" cartridges available:

Gemini CN-15 Stereo Cartridge with Stylus - $19.99 (As of 7/15)

Numark Groove Tool Cartridge - $29.99 (As of 7/15)


Here are two of the best-selling cartridges available. These cartridges are known for their stability on vinyl, as well as their sound quality:

Shure M44-7 Turntablist Expressions Cartridge - $69.95 (As of 7/15)

Ortofon CC-PRO-S Black Spherical DJ Cartridge - $99.99 (As of 7/15)



Here are some of our favorite headshells:

Technics Replacement Headshell - $34.95 (As of 7/15)

 Numark Replacement Headshell - $18.95 (As of 7/15)





If you have a fear of mounting a cartridge to a headshell, here's a pre-mounted setup:

Ortofon OM-S120 Serato DJ Cartridge Pre-Mounted on Headshell ($104.99 as of 7/15)

Finally, you can find a killer package deal and save a few bucks when buying the headshell and cartridge together (you'll have to mount this one yourself):

Shure/Technics M44-7 Cartridge/Headshell Package