Stanton 500ALII Heavy-Duty Broadcast Cartridge

Thick wall, large diameter cantilever. Sturdy grounded cartridge body.

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Stanton 500.V3 Spherical Standard Cartridge

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    • 2 people rate: 5 out of 10

The 500.V3 is an updated version of the classic Stanton 500AL. With more years spent on the decks than any other cartridge in the world, the 500 series has earned a reputation as a standard. The 500.V3 represents a perfect balance between economy, reliability, ruggedness and optimum performance. Learn More...

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Stanton 500ALII Heavy-Duty Broadcast Cartridge reviews

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41 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

 

3 People wrote reviews

Read all Stanton 500ALII Heavy-Duty Broadcast Cartridge reviews...
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

"Stanton 500AL Mk II--best cartridge regardless of cost?"

Feature:
We're talking about an inexpensive cartridge here, so the only included accessory to note is the mounting hardware. The black pieces that fit over the "wings" of the cartridge are self-threading plastic that simply don't allow for an adequately tight coupling of the cartridge to the headshell. I use good quality, stainless steel screws and nuts. On a positive note, the cartridge can be fitted with a number of alternative styli, from a lighter-tracking elliptical to Stanton's own 78 stylus and a number of specialty styli from after-market suppliers for the vintage record collector.

Quality:
I've owned or installed a fair number of 500 series cartridges over the last 25 years and find them a consistent, reliable product. The only thing that degrades over time is the tightness of fit between the stylus assembly and the cartridge body. It's a friction-fit design that simply becomes looser with repeated stylus changes. Of course, the same can be said for several other user-replaceable stylus designs. It takes a lot of stylus changes for this to happen, and is not something I worry about at this price level since the complete cartridge with stylus is only about $10.00 more than the stylus alone. See also comments under "Support."

Value:
Performance far exceeds its price point.

Desirability:
Not much in the way of "sex appeal" here, either aesthetically or technically. The 500AL Mk II is just a reliable, practical tool for getting great sound at a very attractive price.

Sound:
If I could own only one cartridge, this would be it. It is possible to find a competing model that bests it in one performance parameter or another, but its balance of strengths aren't matched by any other cartridge I've owned. There is good separation of instrumental lines, pitch and timing cues are faithfully retained, instruments sound natural with easily distinguishable timbres, there is decent width and depth to the soundstage, it tracks heavily modulated grooves very well at its recommended 3 grams of tracking force with no tendency to overemphasize sibilants, and it is remarkable in its ability to play less-than-pristine records with reduced noise and distortion.

Support:
Not that I've had much need for product support from Stanton, and never for this particular product, but I did have a very good experience with them concerning a 981LZ. That was one of their higher-end cartridge models, and its stylus assembly/cartridge body interface became loose and wiggly. I contacted Stanton, sent my cartridge back to them, and, for just the price of a new stylus assembly (which was due anyway), they repaired the unit and sent back a tight, great-sounding cartridge.

Overall:
Having a couple decades of searching behind me already, I expect this product to be a permanent fixture in my record playback equipment. Nothing else offers its particular balance of strengths or its superb price/performance ratio.

Submitted: 12/6/2003

Style of Music: not applicable

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* * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10 zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.

"Am tellign u, if u need a cartidge qucik come and get this 1."

Feature:
Really, it doesn't come with anything since its a cartidge, except the parts neccesary for putting it together.

Quality:
Everything is sturdy and well put together.

Value:
Probably the ebst price, because it sounds porfessional.

Desirability:
Already have it

Sound:
I love the product. THis cartidge has lasted longer than I thought it would. It brings the full-level out of my vinyl records. It sounds just as great as any other cartidge.

Ease of Use:
Very easy to install. Just connect the lead wires to the cartidge out lines and everyhting is wifey.

Overall:
I like that it last's so long.

Submitted: 2/25/2006

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About This Product!
Description
The Stanton 500 AL II is the latest generation professional industry standard cartridge. From studio use to the mobile scene, it is built for the most discriminating professional. This cartridge provides the perfect blend of economy, reliability, ruggedness, and optimum performance. The 500 AL II is ideal for the DJ who is very demanding on his equipment. The diamond on the 500 AL II is designed to fit firmly in the record groove, minimizing miscuing while backcueing, scratch-mixing, and even mishandling. Its thick wall, large diameter cantilever has a sturdy suspension that permits high tracking forces. Its sturdy grounded cartridge body is designed to minimize hum and deliver good sound quality.

Technical Info

Frequency Response: 20 to 17 kHz
Output @ 1kHz: 4.6mV
Channel Separation @ 1 kHz: 28dB
Channel Balance @ 1 kHz: within 2 dB
Tracking Force: 2 to 5 grams
Stylus Tip: Spherical .7 mil Special High Polish
DC Resistance: 535 ohms
Inductance: 400 mH
Cartridge Weight: 5.5 grams
Tracking Ability: 80ยต @ 3 grams
Recommended Load: 47k ohms and 275 pF
Replacement Stylus: D5100-AL-II
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