Phono Stylus/Needle Cross-Reference Database: Match by Phono Cartridge

This page focuses solely on replacement styli. Some cartridges (especially moving-coil designs) don't have user-replaceable styli. In those cases, this tool lists retipping/rebuild options and notes instead of plug-in replacements.

Select a cartridge manufacturer and model to see compatible replacement styli (OEM + aftermarket) and any compatibility notes. Use the model filter to quickly narrow the list.

About this phono stylus/needle cross-reference database

This page is a phono stylus / turntable needle cross-reference database built for one specific job: match by phono cartridge and quickly see which replacement styli are commonly listed as compatible. If you’ve ever tried to replace a worn stylus and run into a maze of part numbers, “fits these models…” lists, and look‑alike aftermarket options, this tool is meant to shorten that whole scavenger hunt.

Here’s the basic idea: you select a cartridge manufacturer and cartridge model, and the tool returns a grouped list of replacement paths, typically OEM (original manufacturer) styli when they exist, plus aftermarket replacements from third‑party makers and retailers. For designs that don’t have a user‑replaceable stylus, most commonly many moving‑coil (MC) cartridges, you’ll usually see retip / rebuild or factory exchange programs instead of a simple “buy a stylus, snap it in” option.

A few things make stylus matching tricky (and why a cross‑reference helps):

• Family sharing: Cartridge “families” often accept multiple styli that differ in cantilever, suspension, and tip shape (conical, elliptical, line‑contact, MicroLine, Shibata, etc.).
• Model suffixes matter: Small letters or regional variants can change the correct stylus assembly, even when the cartridge body looks identical.
• Aftermarket quality varies: “Compatible” can mean anything from excellent to risky; verifying fit, compliance, and user reports is worth the extra minute.
• Vintage naming drift: Older cartridges are frequently re-labeled, resold, or cataloged inconsistently across sources.

Think of this database as a starting point, not a guarantee. Whenever possible, confirm with the manufacturer documentation or a reputable original source. If the output includes a tracking-force note (VTF), use it as a sanity check against your cartridge’s spec. Mismatched VTF can be a sign you’re looking at the wrong stylus or a questionable listing.

If you want the best results, try searching with the exact model name printed on the cartridge (or in the manual), then compare what you see here against at least one independent source (datasheet, manual, trusted vendor listing, etc.). That extra cross-check is especially important for expensive line‑contact styli and for any MC “stylus replacement” claim, since true user‑replaceable MC styli are relatively uncommon.