Goldring 1012GX Moving Magnet Cartridge

The Goldring 1012GX sits in the upper tier of Goldring's acclaimed 1000 series of moving magnet cartridges — a hand-built line that has earned a strong reputation among vinyl enthusiasts for musicality and engineering quality. Positioned above the entry-level 1006 and the mid-range 1012, the 1012GX shares the same body and magnetic circuit architecture but upgrades the stylus to the Gyger II nude diamond — a fine-line profile with a 6 µm contact radius that extracts significantly more groove detail than the standard elliptical fitted to the 1012.

Construction

The 1012GX uses a one-piece ultra-rigid Pocan body — a glass-reinforced polyester compound chosen for its low mass (6.3 g total) and high structural damping. The body integrates mu-metal shielding to reject hum from nearby transformers and motors, and accepts a user-replaceable stylus carrier so the Gyger II diamond can be swapped without disturbing the cartridge alignment on the headshell.

The magnetic circuit employs finely etched mu-metal pole pieces wound with formerless coils, a topology that delivers higher-than-average output for a moving magnet design. An ultra-low-mass Alnico V magnet is fitted to reduce the effective tip mass (0.45 mg equivalent), and a gold-plated nickel tie-bar dissipates static charge build-up. Azimuth is factory-set to ensure accurate stereo imaging and channel balance out of the box.

The Gyger II Stylus

The defining feature of the 1012GX is its Gyger II nude diamond stylus. This fine-line elliptical profile makes more intimate contact with the groove wall than a standard elliptical, resulting in smoother high-frequency extension, lower distortion, and improved tracking of complex passages. The nude mounting — where the diamond is bonded directly to the cantilever without an intermediary shank — further reduces moving mass and improves transient response.

Performance

Output is a healthy 6.5 mV (±1.5 dB at 1 kHz), comfortably above the threshold for most integrated amplifier phono stages. Channel separation exceeds 25 dB at 1 kHz. The 1012GX requires standard 47 kΩ loading with 150–200 pF recommended capacitance, making it compatible with the vast majority of MM phono inputs. Tracking force is adjustable between 1.5 and 2.0 g, with 1.7 g nominal.

Compatibility

Standard half-inch (12.7 mm) mounting fits the majority of tonearms. The 1012GX is a popular upgrade cartridge for turntables from Rega, Pro-Ject, and similar manufacturers, offering a meaningful step up in detail retrieval and refinement over budget cartridges without requiring a dedicated MC phono stage.