I've got a Dual 505 that is running an old Astatic MF series cartridge. Doesn't sound bad at all, but the stylus is pretty worn and I'm wondering if it's worth trying to dig up a replacement or not.

The stylus that's on it now is a MF 400 which I can't find a single thing about anywhere. But I'm guessing it's a lower level stylus based on the little bit of info I've found about the other MF series offerings. The cartridge database lists an MF300, MF200, MF200H, and a MF100 with the 100 being the highest quality and the 300 being the lowest. So the 400 would be ranked below the 300 if this holds true.

Even if it's worth trying to salvage, I'm not sure anyone carries the replacement stylus anymore. I've run across one on an auction site that's NOS, and I've found a reference to a repair guy/supplier that may still have some stock of these. But before I dig too long and/or deep I wanted to see if this was worth the effort and cost.

So does anyone know much about these cartridges? Is this worth the effort or should I stick my money into a decent AT, Ortofon, or Shure?

Oh, here's a pic...

Good question! As an owner of (2) Astatic MF-200s, I can vouch that this alternative cartridge technology (moving flux) is worth hanging on to. It has two things going for it: 1- It is totally immune to EMI (electro-magnetic interference) and therefore will be devoid of hum in any application, and 2- they sound every bit as good, if not better than the coveted Micro-Acoustic series – another alternative cart technology that saw its apogee, like Astatic come to fruition in the 1980s.
You’re absolutely right about the hierarchy in model numbering running counter intuitive with the MF-100 being the TOTL. I’d say it’s worth contacting this NOS supplier to see whether your MF-400 can be upgraded with an MF-200 stylus.
- Mario