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Goldring Goldring 1012GX
Low Mass Pocan® Body
The 1000 series uses a strong one piece body which holds the fixed parts securely in place. Made from a special type of ultra-rigid, glass reinforced polyester called Pocan, the body can be tightly bolted to the head shell for maximum efficiency and optimum sound quality. The user replaceable stylus carrier slots tightly into the body with a locating pin preventing unwanted vibrations which would otherwise colour the sound. An integral mu-metal can keeps the generator parts shielded from hum-inducing stray magnetic fields. Because Pocan has a high strength-to-mass ratio, the overall mass of the G1000 series cartridges is kept below 6.5 g. Low mass and moderate compliance keep the natural arm/cartridge resonance within safe limits for easy matching to a wide range of tonearms.
High Efficiency Magnetic Circuit
Finely etched mu-metal is laminated to form the pole pieces around which are fitted two formerless coils of four thousand turns each. This unique design reduces mass and also makes for a very efficient magnetic circuit producing a higher than average output. This construction also reduces the loss at high frequencies inherent in conventional designs, making for a smooth and extended frequency response.
Reduced Moving Mass
The 1000 series uses a unique ultra-low-mass, micro-miniature Alnico V magnet made to a tolerance that can be achieved by no other manufacturer worldwide. Welded to the magnet is a gold plated nickel tie-bar which provides an earth path for vinyl static charge build up and stabilses the cantilever in unwanted vibrational modes. The whole ultra-low-mass assembly is then mounted in a special butyl rubber polymer with optimised damping characteristics.
Expert Adjustment
The correct setting of stylus azimuth (or horizontal tracking angle) is essential for the maintenance of a proper stereo sound stage. Azimuth is the term used to describe the angle that the vertical centre-line of the stylus makes with the record surface and this must be exactly perpendicular to the record groove. This is not usually a user adjustable parameter on most budget decks and so it is vital that the cartridge leaves the factory with the azimuth precisely set. Badly adjusted azimuth can cause uneven channel balance and increased crosstalk between channels which would severely degrade the stereo image.
This hand-built cartridge uses the acclaimed Gyger II nude diamond stylus. A fine-line elliptical type with a 6 m small radius it gives smooth, extended highs, low distortion and reproduces a highly detailed and dynamic sound. Advanced diamond tip polishing ensures excellent tracking ability and reduces record wear. Because it fills the record groove more completely due to its larger major radius, the Gyger II represents a major upgrade over normal elliptical stylus types.
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Professional Reviews 93/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
87/100
Features Usability
93/100
Value for Money
96/100
The Goldring 1012GX brings explosive dynamics, low-noise tracking and finely etched detail to moving-magnet playback, while retaining an inviting analogue flow. Positive Feedback found its Gyger II stylus especially adept at retrieving texture, locking images into place and driving bass drums with live-wire impact. Broad tonearm compatibility and a replaceable stylus complete a remarkably accomplished design.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptional dynamics, with forceful bass and rapid swings from silence to high impact.
Very low groove rush, surface noise and sibilance, paired with secure tracking at 1.7–1.8g.
Gyger II stylus delivers precise, natural detail retrieval and orderly instrument placement.
Compatible with a wide range of tonearms; visible cantilever and replaceable stylus aid setup and long-term ownership.
&
Cons
Its highly revealing balance can expose worn, dirty or poorly pressed records, and may occasionally sound taut rather than full-bodied.
Soundstage depth and ambient air are good but not class-leading.
Closed mounting holes make installation more fiddly, particularly on tonearms without removable headshells.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
The 1012GX is described as combining digital-like precision with an unmistakably analogue ease, bringing forceful dynamics and unusually low background noise. Its presentation is highly controlled and detailed, with precise image placement, although depth layering is not portrayed as flawless.
Overall Sound
94/100
Positive Feedback found the 1012GX "awesomely modern" in sound, with digital-like precision that still remained pleasantly analogue rather than clinical. Dynamics were a particular strength: bass drums, guitars and brass were said to leap from silence with striking force and speed.
Tracking Retrieval
95/100
The Gyger II stylus was reported to track securely and without vices at 1.7-1.8g. The review also praised its tenacious yet natural detail retrieval, very low surface noise, little groove rush, and near-imperceptible sibilance.
Soundstage Imaging
89/100
Instrument positions were described as exceptionally precise and orderly, giving the cartridge a clearly defined stereo picture. Front-to-back organisation was commended, though the reviewer stopped short of calling the depth presentation fully complete.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
Tonearm compatibility / system fit.
Tonearm Compatibility
93/100
Its medium mass and compliance were specifically described as suitable for a wide range of current tonearms, and Goldring specifies compatibility with 5-25g effective-mass arms. The standard 5mV moving-magnet output works with conventional 47k-ohm MM phono inputs, while the square body and visible cantilever make setup more approachable.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
87/100
The rigid Pocan body and competitive specification suggest a thoughtfully engineered moving-magnet design, while the visible cantilever aids careful alignment. The replaceable stylus assembly is easy to remove and refit, although the review considers the styling somewhat dated beside more visually elaborate modern turntables.
Value for Money
96/100
At roughly $549, the reviewer called the 1012GX state-of-the-art at its price and said it "simply doesn't get much better overall" for the money. Its combination of advanced-profile stylus tracking, low noise, dynamic impact and a replaceable stylus was presented as unusually compelling among similarly priced cartridges.
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Authorized dealers for Goldring Goldring 1012GX
- Absoulute Audio plus Video — in-store — Aiken, South Carolina, United States (website)
- Holt Hill — online and in-store — Andover, Massachusetts, United States (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- ALAIN CHOUKROUN — online and in-store — Paris, Île-de-France, France (website)
- All That Audio — in-store — Anaheim, California, United States (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
- Altitudo Audio — online and in-store — Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (website)
- American Audio & Video — in-store — Southaven, Mississippi, United States (website)
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