This is a brand new cartridge. Never used by the now deceased owner.
It is one of the finest MM cartridges ever made. See link below for a review.
An absolute bargain for the quality it will deliver.
Worth a try?
https://www-f9.ijs.si/~margan/Audio/Sonus_Blue_Label_Audio_Apr_1977.pdf
WARRANTY INFORMATION (Private Seller)
The item being advertised is sold "as is", and no warranty should be assumed unless otherwise indicated and agreed between the Buyer and the Seller. Photos representing the item being advertised form part of the description unless otherwise specified.
This content has been generated using AI analysis. While we strive to ensure accuracy and quality, AI-generated material may occasionally contain errors or omissions. All information should be independently verified, and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers or editors.
The Sonus USA Blue Label Phono Cartridge (MM), a vintage 1970s model (including Gold Series II variants), receives strong praise in user reviews and discussions for its exceptional sound quality and tracking, ranking among top moving magnet cartridges of its era, though it demands careful system matching due to high-frequency peaks.
### Sound Quality
Reviewers highlight crisp, detailed sound with excellent transient response, sonic clarity, fine instrument definition, superb bass solidity (e.g., organ pedals and direct-to-disc recordings), and no noticeable coloration or listening fatigue during extended sessions. It excels in applause definition, high-level playback, and quadraphonic (CD-4) compatibility, tracking difficult test records cleanly up to 95 microns. Community notes a "humungous HF peak at 28kHz," making it "potentially great sounding" but variable if not paired with a phono stage offering good overload margins at high frequencies.
### Build Quality
Solid construction is implied through low inductance (130-150 mH), light weight (5.5g), and precise specs like 300-ohm resistance, enabling low sensitivity to capacitance (up to 400 pF standard, 250 pF for CD-4). Multi-radial stylus supports stereo and discrete quad formats; replacement styli remain available after decades, restoring "clear, detailed" performance.
### Reliability
Excellent tracking (1-1.5g force) and low resonance (7 Hz cartridge-arm, 34 kHz stylus) contribute to durability, with users reporting success after cantilever repairs and stylus swaps. Modern enthusiasts view it as a "Shure V15 Type V competitor," suggesting lasting stratified status among MM cartridges.
### Strengths
- Top-tier overall performance for stereo/quad, outperforming many contemporaries including some moving coils when matched properly.
- Versatile across record types/formats with superior separation (up to 28 dB at 1 kHz) and bass weight.
### Weaknesses
- Requires precise loading (47kΩ/100kΩ, low capacitance) and phono stage tuning to mitigate HF peak and ringing, limiting plug-and-play ease.
- Potential for variability or mistracking in mismatched setups.
### Overall Reputation
Consistently hailed as "excellent" and "among the best" in professional tests from 1977-1979, with enduring enthusiast appeal for its high-end MM sound when optimized; users recommend it for demanding vinyl playback despite age.
### Sound Quality
Reviewers highlight crisp, detailed sound with excellent transient response, sonic clarity, fine instrument definition, superb bass solidity (e.g., organ pedals and direct-to-disc recordings), and no noticeable coloration or listening fatigue during extended sessions. It excels in applause definition, high-level playback, and quadraphonic (CD-4) compatibility, tracking difficult test records cleanly up to 95 microns. Community notes a "humungous HF peak at 28kHz," making it "potentially great sounding" but variable if not paired with a phono stage offering good overload margins at high frequencies.
### Build Quality
Solid construction is implied through low inductance (130-150 mH), light weight (5.5g), and precise specs like 300-ohm resistance, enabling low sensitivity to capacitance (up to 400 pF standard, 250 pF for CD-4). Multi-radial stylus supports stereo and discrete quad formats; replacement styli remain available after decades, restoring "clear, detailed" performance.
### Reliability
Excellent tracking (1-1.5g force) and low resonance (7 Hz cartridge-arm, 34 kHz stylus) contribute to durability, with users reporting success after cantilever repairs and stylus swaps. Modern enthusiasts view it as a "Shure V15 Type V competitor," suggesting lasting stratified status among MM cartridges.
### Strengths
- Top-tier overall performance for stereo/quad, outperforming many contemporaries including some moving coils when matched properly.
- Versatile across record types/formats with superior separation (up to 28 dB at 1 kHz) and bass weight.
### Weaknesses
- Requires precise loading (47kΩ/100kΩ, low capacitance) and phono stage tuning to mitigate HF peak and ringing, limiting plug-and-play ease.
- Potential for variability or mistracking in mismatched setups.
### Overall Reputation
Consistently hailed as "excellent" and "among the best" in professional tests from 1977-1979, with enduring enthusiast appeal for its high-end MM sound when optimized; users recommend it for demanding vinyl playback despite age.
This content has been generated using AI analysis. While we strive to ensure accuracy and quality, AI-generated material may occasionally contain errors or omissions. All information should be independently verified, and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers or editors.
Based on the available search results, I can provide a conservative estimate, though the data is limited and primarily in USD rather than AUD.
## Fair Market Price Estimate
The fair AUD market price for a used Sonus Blue Label phono cartridge ranges approximately AUD $350–$420, based on converting recent USD listings to Australian dollars.
### Price Data
The search results show two recent USD listings:
- $288 USD for a NOS (new old stock) Sonus Gold Blue Stylus
- $265 USD for a used cartridge in excellent condition
Converting these to AUD (at approximately 1.45 AUD per USD), the equivalent range is roughly AUD $385–$418 for used examples in good condition.
### Condition Variations
Used/Excellent condition: AUD $350–$420 (based on the $265 USD listing)
New Old Stock (NOS): AUD $400–$450 (based on the $288 USD listing)
New examples would command a premium due to rarity and verified condition, though specific AUD pricing for new stock is not available in the search results.
### Key Value Factors
- Cartridge condition and stylus wear – Heavily used styli reduce value significantly
- Originality – Unmodified cartridges with original boxes/documentation command premiums
- Rarity – These are vintage items; NOS examples are scarcer and more valuable
- Market availability – Pricing varies across different secondhand platforms (HifiShark, Reverb, US AudioMart)
Important limitation: The search results contain limited pricing data from 2016 and current listings without comprehensive AUD market coverage. For the most accurate current pricing, consult Australian audio equipment retailers or local secondhand marketplaces.
## Fair Market Price Estimate
The fair AUD market price for a used Sonus Blue Label phono cartridge ranges approximately AUD $350–$420, based on converting recent USD listings to Australian dollars.
### Price Data
The search results show two recent USD listings:
- $288 USD for a NOS (new old stock) Sonus Gold Blue Stylus
- $265 USD for a used cartridge in excellent condition
Converting these to AUD (at approximately 1.45 AUD per USD), the equivalent range is roughly AUD $385–$418 for used examples in good condition.
### Condition Variations
Used/Excellent condition: AUD $350–$420 (based on the $265 USD listing)
New Old Stock (NOS): AUD $400–$450 (based on the $288 USD listing)
New examples would command a premium due to rarity and verified condition, though specific AUD pricing for new stock is not available in the search results.
### Key Value Factors
- Cartridge condition and stylus wear – Heavily used styli reduce value significantly
- Originality – Unmodified cartridges with original boxes/documentation command premiums
- Rarity – These are vintage items; NOS examples are scarcer and more valuable
- Market availability – Pricing varies across different secondhand platforms (HifiShark, Reverb, US AudioMart)
Important limitation: The search results contain limited pricing data from 2016 and current listings without comprehensive AUD market coverage. For the most accurate current pricing, consult Australian audio equipment retailers or local secondhand marketplaces.
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