Goldring: A Century of Precision Sound

A moving magnet (MM) cartridge attaches a small magnet to the stylus cantilever, which vibrates between fixed coils to generate an audio signal. MM cartridges produce a higher output voltage (around 6.5 mV), work with any standard phono input, and feature a user-replaceable stylus.

A moving coil (MC) cartridge reverses the design: tiny coils are attached to the cantilever and vibrate within a fixed magnetic field. MC cartridges generally produce lower output (0.35–2.5 mV) but offer superior resolution, lower distortion, and better channel separation. Most require a dedicated MC phono stage or step-up transformer.

The Goldring Eroica HX is a notable exception — it is a moving coil cartridge with a 2.5 mV output, high enough to work directly with standard MM phono inputs, making it an excellent bridge for listeners stepping up from MM to MC performance.

The right Goldring cartridge depends on three factors: your tonearm's effective mass, your phono stage type, and your budget.

• Budget / Pre-fitted upgrade: E1 ($179.99) to E4 ($499.99) — works with any standard MM phono input and most tonearms.
• Audiophile MM: 1006 ($699.99) to 1042 ($1,099.99) — hand-built, nude diamond styli, for discerning listeners.
• First Moving Coil: Eroica HX ($1,479.99) — MC performance without needing a new phono stage.
• Reference MC: Eroica LX, Elite, Ethos, or Ethos SE — for systems with dedicated MC phono stages and quality tonearms.

For personalized guidance, contact Home Automation Designs at 1 (866) 423-1919 or support@homeautomationdesigns.com.

Yes — all E Series and 1000 Series moving magnet cartridges feature user-replaceable styli. Simply pull the old stylus carrier off and press the replacement on — no tools required. Available styli: E1, E2, E3, E4, D06, D12GX, D22GX, and D42. Prices range from $129.00 to $749.99.

Goldring moving coil cartridges (Eroica LX, Eroica HX, Elite, and Ethos) have non-replaceable styli and require professional re-tipping. The Ethos SE is an exception — it features a factory-replaceable stylus assembly.

Magnetic Duplex Technology™ is Goldring's proprietary dual-magnet generator assembly used across the E Series cartridges. It employs two low-mass magnets working in tandem to deliver enhanced channel separation, more accurate replication of the original recording, and improved rhythm and musical detail compared to single-magnet designs.

The technology is combined with a pre-adjusted stylus-to-groove angle, meaning no horizontal tracking adjustment is required — ideal for listeners upgrading pre-fitted budget cartridges or setting up a turntable for the first time.

The Gyger stylus is a precision-polished diamond profile engineered to closely replicate the geometry of the cutting head used when records are mastered. Two variants appear in Goldring's lineup:

• Gyger II — A fine-line elliptical profile (6 µm lesser radius) providing smooth, extended high-frequency response, low distortion, and groove tracing up to 50 kHz. Used in the 1012GX, Eroica LX, and Eroica HX.
• Gyger S — A true line-contact profile shaped to mirror record-cutting head geometry even more precisely. Delivers incredibly accurate mid-range tonality and extended side-wall groove contact. Used in the 1042 and Elite.

Goldring recommends the Extract Stylus Cleaning Kit ($99.99), a three-component system:

1. 10x Magnifying Lens — Visually inspect the stylus tip for dust, debris, or damage.
2. Anti-Static Cleaning Brush — Draw gently across the stylus from back to front with minimal upward pressure to lift dry dust and fluff.
3. Cleaning Gel Pot — Lower the stylus into the gel while the pot rests on the turntable platter. The transparent gel extracts embedded contamination and is refreshable by rinsing under water and air-drying.

The kit is compatible with all stylus and cartridge types, not just Goldring.

Yes. The Goldring GR3 Turntable ($1,299.99) is a complete, plug-and-play vinyl system. It comes pre-fitted with the award-winning E3 moving magnet cartridge, features a built-in RIAA phono pre-amplifier (±0.4 dB accuracy), a phenolic resin platter with enhanced flywheel mass, and a 24V low-noise motor.

It connects directly to any amplifier or powered speaker — no external phono stage required. QED quality interconnect cables are included. The high-gloss black plinth and Perspex dust cover deliver a modern, premium aesthetic.

Most Goldring cartridges — including the entire E Series, 1000 Series, Eroica, and Elite — recommend a vertical tracking force (VTF) of 1.5 to 2.0 grams, with a nominal setting of 1.7 grams. The Ethos and Ethos SE have an optimal setting of 1.75 grams.

Always use a stylus force gauge to set tracking force precisely. Too little force causes mistracking and distortion; too much force accelerates stylus and record wear. Goldring cartridges ship with factory-set azimuth to simplify setup.

• E Series and 1000 Series (MM): 47 kΩ — the universal MM phono standard.
• Eroica HX (high-output MC): 47 kΩ — fully compatible with MM phono inputs.
• Eroica LX (low-output MC): Requires a dedicated MC phono stage.
• Elite: 8 Ω internal resistance — requires a compatible MC phono stage or step-up transformer.
• Ethos: 100 Ω recommended load resistance.
• Ethos SE: 3.8 Ω internal resistance — reference-grade MC phono stage required.

Home Automation Designs is an authorized Canadian retailer for the complete Goldring lineup. Shop at homeautomationdesigns.com or contact the team:

• Phone: 1 (866) 423-1919
• Email: support@homeautomationdesigns.com
• Ontario: Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Hamilton
• Alberta: Edmonton, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Devon, Whitecroft