Numark Groove Tool Cartridge & Stylus

This cartridge came in a Numark TTUSB Turntable I recently bought when the prices came down on this item. As many of my 45 RPM Records I bought back in the 50's and 60's do exhibit a lot of playing wear ( especially on the Big Hit favorites ) I was not expecting too much from this cartridge.

Unfortunately any kind of published specifications on this cartridge are not easily found. My first reaction was to remove this cartridge from the TTUSB and replace it with one of my Shure M44-C Cartridges that I have used for many years. For the older and somewhat worn records I like to track at 4 to 5 grams as that is what they were always played on with a conical .7 mil Diamond stylus. The .5 to 2 gram limitations on many of todays cartridges just dont track well in a worn record groove and a higher rate of distortion in the playback is evident.

When I saw this cartridge and it's low price, I ordered one primarily to have it for the replacement stylus and also in hope that it would include some kind of electrical and mechanical specifications on the package, which it did.

For those of you who are also wondering what the specs are before you buy it, here is what was written on the back of the blister pak it comes in ( Mounting Hardware is also included ).

Standard half inch mounting

0.6 Mil spherical Diamond Tip

Tracking Force 2.5 to 3.5 Grams

Channel Separation 26Db @ 1 Khz

Output 2.4 Mv

a Pin Out diagram is also shown and it states " Designed in the USA, Made In Japan

While setting up the TTUSB Numark Turntable, I maxed out the stylus pressure ( as measured on a calibrated Neuses Guage ) to 3.5 Grams. I tried some well worn 45's that just didn't make it on a 1.5 gram pressure stylus on one of my Ortofon Cartridges. These records did sound OK on a Shure M44-C and a Pickering V15ATE both tracking at just a little over 4 Grams. The sound from the Numark Groove Tool Budget Cartridge was compatible with the Shure M44-C and the Pickering V15ATE for playing older records " with Wear " . I was pleasantly surprised to say the least.

I also tried playing some of my high quality " Command Records " ( Remember those ? ) and I am still quite impressed.

I have now ordered a bunch of replacement stylii for this cartridge as I think I will just leave it in the Numark TTUSB.

Yes, the stylus " grip " does get somewhat close to the playing surface of the record as an earlier reviewer pointed out. If you are not playing severely warped records this should not be a problem, and remember I am tracking at the Maximum specified tracking weight. I am not using this in a " DJ " situation so back queing does not concern me.

I have not yet been able to find any published spec for the frequency response of this cartridge although it does put a smile on my face when playing many of my original 50 and 60 year old 45's as I transfer them to digital format.

I have had many Record Changers ( remember those ? ), Turntables, cartridges and stylii over the years made by well known manufacturers . Although I would never call myself an " Audio Purest " by any means, I know what I like to hear and I do hear that from this cartridge.

For the price of the cartridge and for replacement stylii I would consider at this price point a very worthwhile item if it will suit your requirements. I am quite surprised and very well pleased with its performance.

This cartridge rides way too low on the deck and the cartridge will scrape against the vinyl, which can easily damage the vinyl.

Got the product quickly, and didn't even need the whole cartridge, just sled the needle off the new cartridge and on to the one on the turntable. Works great.

I picked this up as a replacement for one headshell and got another for backup, these are nice and loud but the needle is EXTREMELY sensitive, if you want to try out scratching I do not recommend buying these, but you need a cheap replacement/backup for regular club/party mixing these are perfect, the GT on the top gives it a pretty cool look too.

like the cartridge, what to start with a lower value 1st, and then in time see what the others ar about.

Thank you