Pure Fidelity Stratos MC
The Stratos MC combines fine vocal timbre, revealing inner detail and confident tracking in a poised, dynamically alive moving-coil presentation. Anthony Kershaw found it balanced across classical and rock, extracting instrumental colour and musical nuance without tipping into analytical coolness. Its micro-elliptical stylus and low-resonance duralumin body underpin a remarkably complete high-end analogue voice.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
84/100
Features Usability
84/100
Value for Money
96/100
Pros
Reveals fine vocal timbre, inner detail and subtle instrumental colour with a balanced, refined presentation.
Tracks demanding wide-groove records cleanly without audible degradation toward the label.
Delivers strong dynamics and genre-spanning balance, from nuanced classical recordings to rock.
Considered exceptional value, delivering performance associated with more expensive moving-coil cartridges.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
Audiophilia found the Stratos unusually complete in its presentation, combining fine tonal colour and inner detail with convincing dynamics. It also tracked confidently toward the label and brought instrumental shades and musical subtleties through with apparent ease.
Overall Sound
94/100
Anthony Kershaw describes a highly resolved yet balanced presentation, praising fine vocal timbre, inner detail and the ability to reveal numerous musical subtleties. He also found it dynamically capable across rock material, while saying it makes few meaningful compromises.
Tracking Retrieval
93/100
The Stratos tracked wide-groove records easily, with no audible deterioration as playback approached the label. The review also credits it with recovering fine vocal detail and subtle musical information.
Soundstage Imaging
90/100
The reviewer's listening priorities include convincing instrumental spacing and a wide, deep stage, and he found the Stratos reproduced the Concertgebouw's varied instrumental colours with apparent ease. Direct discussion of image placement and stage dimensions is limited, but the spatial presentation was clearly satisfying in context.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 84/100
Tonearm compatibility / system fit.
Tonearm Compatibility
84/100
At 8g with moderate 12cu compliance, the Stratos should suit many conventional medium-mass tonearms. Its 0.45mV moving-coil output and recommended 100–500-ohm loading still call for a capable MC phono stage and thoughtful gain/loading matching.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
84/100
The Stratos uses a lightweight duralumin-alloy body, aluminum cantilever and micro-elliptical diamond stylus, indicating a carefully specified design. The review says little about fit and finish, assembly precision or long-term durability.
Value for Money
96/100
At the reviewed $1,695 price, Audiophilia called the Stratos a “high end bargain” and explicitly described it as underpriced. The reviewer felt it delivered the kind of performance expected from a cartridge costing above $2,000, making it especially compelling against similarly priced high-end MC alternatives.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- Duralumin alloy body
- combines aluminum, copper and magnesium for low weight, minimum resonance and high rigidity
- Micro elliptical diamond stylus
- has exceptionally high precision to trace the smallest musical details. Frequency response is 20 – 40,000 Hz
- Powerful soundstage
- with 25 dB channel separation and 0.5 dB channel balance
- Samarium cobalt magnet
- combines reasonable output and low mass
- Solid aluminum cantilever
- contributes to excellent compliance: 12 x 10<sup>-6</sup> cm/dyne
- Output level
- 0.45 mV
- Impedance
- 45 ohms
- Recommended loading
- 100-500 ohms
- Weight
- 8 grams
- Tracking Force
- 2.0 grams
Manufacturer's Description — Pure Fidelity
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Authorized dealers for Pure Fidelity Stratos MC
- Afton Mountain Audio — in-store — Afton, Virginia, United States (website)
- American Sound — in-store — Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Audible Elegance — online and in-store — Cincinnati, Ohio, United States (website)
- AUDIO VIDEO TODAY — in-store — Laguna Hills, California, United States (website)
- AUDIOFI SOURCE INC. — online and in-store — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (website)
- AV Luxury Group — online and in-store — Las Vegas, Nevada, United States (website)
- Bliss Hifi — in-store — Minnetonka, Minnesota, United States (website)
- Fidelis Audio — in-store — Nashua, New Hampshire, United States (website)
- Gene Rubin Audio — online and in-store — Ventura, California, United States (website)
- Hifi Concierge — in-store — Pennsylvania, United States (website)
and 8 more verified dealers