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Extremely rare Stanton Collector’s Series WOS 100 MM Phono Cartridge with full signature and original CS-100 stylus with clear markings retipped with a new 0.10 mm sq Orbray r/R 2/80 micron Micro Ridge diamond by Joseph Long aka Groovetickler:"Stanton CS-100 moving magnet cartridge had a broken cantilever at the angle. The effort here was to retain the distinctive orange anodized cantilever. I formed a new mounting area, drilled a hole and installed a new 0.10 mm sq Orbray r/R 2/80 micron Micro Ridge diamond preserving the original look and performance and perhaps enhancing performance a bit with a finer tracing edge radius than stock. Sounds amazing! Notice the unusually high output that is characteristic of this cartridge that sets it apart from other Stanton and Pickering cartridges"It comes mounted on a Jelco HS-20 headshell with gold Dustamatic brush, stylus guard and Storage Case. Serial Number: 1924Channel separation: 33db (above specs)Recommended Tracking Force: 1.25 gram without the brush, 2.25 gram with the brush.Probably the best Moving Magnet cartridge ever made. Extremely rare and highly sought after. WOS 100 Cartridge information:The W.O. Stanton Collector's Series 100 stereo magnetic cartridge represents the ultimate in cartridge development for playback of your record collection. It incorporates all the concepts known to Stanton from our broad background in development of Broadcast, Professional and Home Stereo cartridges.The stylus is our patented Stereohedron II diamond for improved groove tracing and reduced record wear.The cantilever uses our patented Sapphire coating for rigidity.The suspension system is improved to provide optimum compliance tuning.The body is Titanium coated for rigidity in mounting.The Longhair Brush is included to sweep dust from the grooves of your valuable record collection resulting in the reduction of noise and record wear.The stylus assembly is constructed to conduct static electricity harmlessly from your records to ground.WOS 100 Specifications:Frequency : 10 to 50kHzResponse: 20 to 20kHz ‡ 1dBOutput: 3.2mV min.Tracking: 100 m @ 1¼ gramsChannel Balance: Within 1 dB 1KHzChannel Separation: 30 dB @ 1 kHzCompliance: 30 km/mN @ 10HzCartridge D.C. Resistance: 500 ohmsCartridge Inductance: 270 mHCartridge Color: Titanium BlueStylus tip: Stereohedron II (now Micro Ridge )Replacement Stylus: CS-100
At US$1,499, this sits above your recent used-market median of US$1,349 and even clears the 75th percentile at US$1,424, so it reads as ambitious rather than fair. If the obvious alternative is waiting for a cleaner example closer to the middle of the market, that’s the more sensible move unless this one brings something notably better than average.
The upside is that this is the kind of cartridge people chase when they want a serious, known quantity rather than a placeholder; well-kept examples can be worth paying up for if condition is truly excellent and the stylus/tip history is solid. Because the listing is unknown condition, the value hinges on inspection: confirm hours, cantilever health, channel balance, and whether anything original is included before treating the premium as justified.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Stanton Magnetics traces its roots to 1946, when it emerged from Pickering & Company in the United States, initially under the guidance of Norman C. Pickering and later formalized as a distinct brand in 1961. The company's breakthrough came with Walter O. Stanton's invention of the easily replaceable phonograph stylus, revolutionizing cartridge design by allowing users to swap worn needles without factory returns. This innovation bridged professional recording needs with burgeoning consumer audio markets, establishing Stanton as a pioneer in magnetic cartridges during the vinyl era.
Stanton's product lineup centers on professional DJ and turntable gear, including high-performance cartridges renowned for durability under heavy scratching, battle-ready turntables, DJ mixers, media players, controllers, and accessories like the innovative Final Scratch system for digital vinyl emulation. While early focuses were on broadcast-grade pickups, the brand evolved to dominate club and mobile DJ tools, eschewing broader hi-fi categories such as amplifiers, speakers, DACs, or headphones.
Today, Stanton holds a niche yet commanding position in the pro-audio DJ market as a mid-tier workhorse brand, trusted by club DJs, turntablists, and mobile performers for reliable, battle-tested performance over flash. With over 75 years of heritage—now under inMusic Brands since 2020—its gear appeals to pros seeking rugged value rather than high-end audiophile refinement or vintage collector status, cementing its reputation as the go-to for vinyl manipulation in live settings.
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