What is the difference between a needle and a cartridge?
A5-2: The needle or stylus is the device that fits in the record groove and moves according to the impression of the music made in the vinyl. It typically consists of at least one tip (usually synthetic diamond or sapphire), a cantilever that the tip(s) is mounted to, and either a plastic or metal lever or needle body so that it can be attached to the cartridge. Please see examples of various types of needles on the Needles/Stylli page. In general, the needle is a separate, serviceable item and if all you need is the needle, best to only buy that. Please see the Needle Help! page for more information on needle tips, life expectancy, and replacement identification. The cartridge is what the needle is connected to, and its job is to take the vibrations resulting from the travel of the needle tip in the groove and translate them into electrical signals that can then be amplified and reproduced as sound through a speaker. Most cartridges are either of the crystal, ceramic or magnetic types
