Goldring 2500 review

A well deserved group test winner; give it a listen Tested at £395

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

A well deserved group test winner; give it a listen

Pros

  • +

    Full bodied sound, easy to fit, good tonal balance, great detailing

Cons

  • -

    Nothing of note

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

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.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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