RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
For Sale: Pickering XV-15 Moving Magnet CartridgeOffered for sale is a Pickering XV-15 Moving Magnet (MM) cartridge, a highly respected classic from the golden age of analogue audio.Fitted with a brand new stylus, it delivers the warm, detailed and engaging sound that made the XV-15 one of the most popular cartridges of the 1970s.Closely related to the legendary Stanton 680/681 family, the Pickering XV-15 is renowned for its excellent tracking ability, low record wear and superb musicality. Even today, it remains a favourite among vinyl enthusiasts and collectors of vintage hi-fi equipment.The advertised price is for the cartridge and stylus only and does not include the headshell. The headshell shown in the photographs can be supplied if required and purchased separately.For more information, please visit my website:VintAudio.comSpecificationsType: Moving Magnet (MM)Model: XV-15Output Voltage: Approx. 3.5mVFrequency Response: 10Hz to 20kHzLoad Resistance: 47kΩCartridge Weight: Approx. 6.3gReplaceable Stylus AssemblyA classic American cartridge from the 1970s, the Pickering XV-15 offers outstanding musicality, excellent tracking performance and a rich analogue sound that continues to impress decades after its introduction. An ideal choice for vintage audio enthusiasts and discerning vinyl collectors.
Should you grab it at US$178, or are you paying too much for the comfort of a known-good vintage Pickering? It’s a bit above the 75th percentile of recent comps at US$154, so this is an ambitious ask rather than a bargain.
That said, the XV-15 line is well liked for a lively, balanced presentation and strong compatibility with a wide range of arms, so a clean example can still be worth paying up for if it’s complete and properly working. The upside is in condition and accessories: original stylus, headshell, box, or a documented low-mileage cartridge can justify the premium. If those aren’t there, I’d want the price lower.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Pickering is an American hi-fi name, founded in the 1940s by engineer and inventor Norman C. Pickering. Norman Pickering was a major audio figure and co-founder of the Audio Engineering Society, and his work helped shape the modern phono cartridge during the postwar rise of high fidelity. The company grew out of his earlier pickup and cartridge development work in New York, where Pickering & Company was established to serve both broadcasters and the emerging consumer market.
The brand is primarily associated with phono cartridges and pickup systems, not with a broad modern electronics lineup. In other words, Pickering is known for turntable-related analog front-end products rather than amplifiers, speakers, DACs, or headphones. Its reputation is tied to classic moving-magnet cartridges and the vinyl era, which makes the name especially familiar to collectors, archivists, and vintage-turntable enthusiasts.
In the market, Pickering sits more as a vintage-collector and specialist analog brand than as a current high-end or mass-market hi-fi player. Among knowledgeable buyers, it carries historical credibility for cartridge design and broadcast use, but it is not usually discussed alongside today’s active premium audio brands. For many listeners, Pickering is a respected legacy name whose value now lies in its classic cartridges, replacement styli, and its place in hi-fi history.
See all Pickering listings on RADAR.
