Needles & Cartridges

If you're a vinyl DJ, then you know how important it is to replace your turntable's needle after you begin to notice a degradation in sound. Of course, certain factors definitely come into play, including how often you clean your records and how often you perform. Whether you're a club performer or simply a music lover with a massive vinyl collection, you'll have no problem finding top-rated cartridges and styli on today's market. Companies like Numark, Shure and American DJ are dedicated to helping you maintain the playability and sound quality of your vinyl, and this catalog is loaded with cartridges and styli for both personal and performance applications.

With that being said, the right cartridge or stylus for you will depend on how often you play your records. For example, casual hobbyists don't necessarily need the most expensive cartridge currently available, and thankfully there are plenty of affordable options in these pages. Need some suggestions? Check out the Shure SSS35C Stylus for SC35C Cartridge, the Numark CC01 Stylus or the Ortofon Spherical Pro S Stylus - all three of these models are best sellers.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with wanting the best of the best - especially if you take your DJ performance seriously. For a needle that's tailored specifically for club environments, turn your attention to the Shure WHLB Whitelabel Party/Club DJ Record Needle. From its high skip resistance to its very high output and low record wear, this needle puts a huge emphasis on sound, and it's obvious when you hear the solid drop bass, detailed mids and accented highs.

And there are plenty of other exceptional cartridges and styli here as well - including a wide range of generously priced twin packs from Ortofon. Generally, most audiophiles agree that home record enthusiasts should change their needle after about 1,000 hours of use and about 1/3 of that time applies for DJs. Think you're there? If so, then there's no better time than now to swipe out your cartridge or stylus for one of the models in this section.