I've been having a hard time finding a cartridge that I like and that isn't too expensive. The two I have now have been pissing me off. I have an old Stanton MK V, but as I tried to adjust it on its ADC headshell, I somehow screwed everything up so the screws are stuck and I can't get the cartridge out. I can't find a replacement stylus online either, and I've looked everywhere

Then I have a bottom of the line Audio Technica cartridge on another headshell, and for some reason the cantilever is so fragile that it always bends out of shape and I get paranoid I'm ruining my records. I've replaced the stylus twice now, and every time I get bad luck

So since I dread having to mount a cartridge on a headshell and doing all the adjustments, I figured I'd look into getting a "Concorde" style cartridge, which seems like the easiest way out

The one I've been looking at is the Stanton Diablo, because it's pretty cheap, and the red would look good with my turntable. I know they are generally made for DJ use, but would they be ok for just casual listening?

Thanks

The "concorde - type" of cartridges are generally referred to as "integrated cartridges". They can be used, but:

- As sold today, they generally come with a conical stylus which is fine for professional applications, but sounds only so - so for home use, when compared to most cartridges intended for home use that have elliptical styli.
- Kabusa.com carries a couple of different models of integrated cartridges intended for home use with elliptical styli from both Stanton and Ortofon. I'd suggest you start there. However, most of these cartridges come pre-set for use with Technics 1200 series tonearms. If you have, for example, a Pioneer turntable, you can use these cartridges, but the alignment won't be exact.
- The older "vintage" integrated cartridges that you might find on that big auction site are typically adjustable, so you can achieve correct alignment on any S-shaped tonearm. Examples include the original Ortofon Concorde - if you find one, be sure to only get it if it has the replacement counterweight, since it is too light for most tonearms to be used with the tonearm's standard counterweight. Also, the Shure M97HE-AH, and ADC Integra XLM III are examples of "vintage" integrated cartridges. Replacement styli are still available for all of these.

Well, I currently have a technics SL-D2, so I'm assuming that if they are made to work for the 1200, they would be fine on my TT, right?

Well, I currently have a technics SL-D2, so I'm assuming that if they are made to work for the 1200, they would be fine on my TT, right?

I own a Technics SL-B3 and don't think I'd use an integrated cartridge on that turntable simply because I've gotten such good results using a standard mount cartridge in a headshell. I understand your reservations about using one of the real compliant Audio Technica's on that arm. I had a similiar concern when using my Shure V15Mk.V on my Technics. The Technics arm just seems to have too much mass for those high-compliance cartridges. Since then I've had good results with an entry level Grado cartridge and from what I've heard an entry level Ortofon or maybe one of the nicer Stanton's might be a real good choice as well. One very nice feature of those Technics 'tables is that they use a standard headshell, so you could eventually have several nice cartridge/headshell combinations to use.

I have an early Concorde 10 integrated cartridge (with the alternate counterweight and an older 20 stylus) that sounds great on my SL-1700MkII. Unlike the heavier currently-produced Concorde models, this LM-era Concorde has adjustable overhang and azimuth.

Turntableneedles.com has a NOS Audiotechnica AT-52E integrated cartridge which looks like it might be adjustable for overhang and azimuth; I think I see a set screw for adjustment.

The integrated cartridges for the 1200 also work on the SL-D2. Same geometry. The Concordes are quite good for DJ cartridges. You can upgrade the Ortofons to OM hi-fi styli for even better performance and light tracking. I used to own a SL D-2 and never had issues with light cartridges in it in daily use. They do require careful attention.