Goldring 2500 review

Goldring's smart, metal-bodied 2500 cartridge endeared itself to us with its ease of fitting and setting up, thanks to the use of captive nuts and a shell that's easy to align despite the relative lack of straight sides.

A recent addition to Goldring's range, the 2500 sounds confident and fluid, adopting a mellower feel as bedding down (the process by which a new cartridge wears itself in) progresses.

Good tonal balance provides a full-bodied combination of crisp treble, expressive midrange and tight bass. Vocals offer warmth and emotion, whether it's the depression of Sinatra on Blame It On My Youth or Iggy Pop's tense delivery on the Stooges' I Wanna Be Your Dog.

The 2500 delivers music packed with detail, and every nuance of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring really comes to life, while it also impresses dynamically, evidenced by the electric crackle of Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

This cartridge held our attention pretty much from the start and, by doing right just about everything required of it, gets top marks.