GOLDRING E4 MOVING MAGNET CARTRIDGE COMPARED TO: E3, 1042, 2M RED & BLUE. IS IT WORTH UPGRADING?

A new moving magnet cartridge in the company’s heralded ‘E’ range, Paul Rigby listens to the E4
VIDEO CONTENTS
00:00 - Introduction & Prices
1:11 - Closer Look
3:19 - Sound Quality
5:00 - vs 2M Red
6:59 - vs E3
8:52 - vs 1042
10:36 - Final Thoughts, vs 2M Blue Pros & Cons and Rating
GOLDRING
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[@Victrola777]

I am on my third 1042 ! I love them. I would try an E4 if they were a little more affordable in America.

[@ajmoore2201]

Finally someone is actually reviewing this

[@TheAudiophileMan]

I am looking to change my name, by Deed Poll, to Paul 'Finally' Rigby as a marketing move for this channel. Thanks for the idea.

[@ajmoore2201]

@@TheAudiophileMan my pleasure 😂

[@jimsregaturntableshifijukebox]

Yet another great review Paul👌. I'll be trying my 2M Blue and 1042 over the next few weeks on my newly built Rega based turntable, with an acrylic plinth/ SRM Tech Silent Base amongst the parts used. Jim🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙂

[@tacofortgens3471]

You wont be disapointed 👍

[@jimsregaturntableshifijukebox]

@@tacofortgens3471 hope not, as I've previously had those carts on my modded RP3 and modified RP6 and they sound good. 😉

[@gezzy8095]

I prefer the bass on my 1042 to the ortofon 2m blue

[@jimsregaturntableshifijukebox]

@@gezzy8095 imho, the 1042 is the better sounding cartridge.

[@flyingshogosan1]

Thank you so much for the review! I compared E3, E4, and G-1042 at the audio shop in Tokyo. I liked G-1042 sound very much but I liked the sound of E4 as much as G-1042 and amazingly E4 has least noise! So I bought E4 and I am very satisfied with this cartridge. My only concern left unsolved is if E4 is better than Rega Exact to my year. Unfortunately the audio shop didn’t have the Rega Exact cartridge. Which one would you personally prefer between E4 and Rega Exact?

[@septiseptimiu8287]

Great review! So it means Audio Technica makes great cartridges, again! Because this Goldring E line is made by Audio Technica. I just stick to the basic line AT cartridges which are really under rated, but they are fantastic to me! 😉🥰

[@rxt744]

Thanks for the review on the Goldring E4. Very few at the moment... Goldring has done a great wrapper and tweaking job on the Audio Technica AT-VM95EN that the E4 is based on for this new cartridge. Looking forward to testing it out myself. Cheers!

[@bobby666666]

Great video Paul. I love Cartridge comparisons. I did like that it is a good performer at a cost that is affordable.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Very nice of you, Bob. Thank you. And yes, I was happy with this one.

[@harveyniblett1078]

Knackered my Sumiko Moonstone stylus dusting!! Bought an E4 to replace it, blown away by the difference! Cymbals I never new existed are amazing, you can almost place each musician in the room. The E4 cartridge was £100 less than the Moonstone stylus and , to my ears, it’s so much better, never heard my set up sound so good!

[@TheAudiophileMan]

You have my sympathies - easy done. But glad you're enjoying the E4.

[@sayers1984]

Thanks for the review, Arrived today upgraded from the e3 to e4, very impressed, better seperation and much cleaner..

[@storm-sf5rj]

i have the 1042 and i love it

[@mrpositronia]

Same. It just sounds 'right'. Whatever that means. Hehe.

[@gezzy8095]

Too true! Love mine too!

[@cybot6]

Long time waiting for this. Well done Paul. A terrific and very sensible review. I wasn’t surprised at how quickly Goldring got back to you. They’re a great company to deal with. As a lifetime owner of the ubiquitous 1042 which, incidentally, I ‘downgraded’ to the 1006 stylus simply because I preferred its sonic magic, I have to agree with your findings. On a different note I also must mention how decent these people are; Allow me to briefly explain: When the first version of the then brand new E Series I contacted them in a state of panic thinking that my ancient version was now obsolete and that I must embrace the new order. I was told in no uncertain terms that I wasn’t to even think of throwing the 1006 to the wolves. Why? Simply for exactly the reasons you outlined Paul. Mine was the better cartridge. The new one was specifically for the upcoming ‘audiophiles’ now adopting the new fangled vinyl comeback. It was simple to install due in particular to the threaded inserts which did away with the confounded nuts and washers. Mana for the newbie. Note I’m talking about very first arrival of the E Series. This new one will obviously get closer to the 1042 and probably the next one will finally surpass it. Who knows? Anyway my point is this : What other company would have advised me this way? Goldring as a company should be treasured……Need I say more?

[@johngarnet2826]

Hi @cybot6, you have good taste buddy; despite owning both a 1042 and an E3, I'm also a 1006 fan. Just waiting for a little more wear on my E3 before shelling out for an E4 stylus, and also my 1042 before shelling out for a 1006 stylus.

[@gcahill51]

Based on my experience with the Ortofon Red and Blue, and most recently, the Goldring E4, I have to say your review is spot on! The E4 is a real gem for the price.

[@31cify]

Hi Paul, never heard anyone explain things about hi fi so professionally, superb. It would be interesting if you gave us your take on what has probably been the most popular beginner's turntable over the last 4 years, the Audio Technica LP60X, or BT version. Replacing the conical stylus with an elliptical from LP Gear really seems to show how some of the most affordable turntables like this can sound. I find that even very cheap powered laptop speakers sound louder, fuller, spacious and more detailed through the use of an elliptical. This enhancement is also evident when using the bluetooth feature. I do have the LP60XBT connected to an 18 year old Goodmans amplifier aswell, still a top performer which makes a turntable like this sound more expensive than it actually is. Capacity to burn is what I'me touching on here, and you'll know that. So yes, if some time you could give us your opinion on the LP60X, unless you already have and I've missed it, it would be very interesting to hear. Thanks again.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

It's fine. It's not for me. It's ideal for many, I know, as a starter turntable. Has a familiar brand name on it. Easy to use. Decent sound. It's fine. I'm glad you're enjoying it and happy that you've upgraded it and are hearing improvements and that's a good thing. And you're enjoying your music, which is the main thing. Hope that helps :) And thanks for your kind words.

[@31cify]

Thanks Paul. Keep up the great reviews.

[@31cify]

It was also one of your reviews about cartridges which twisted my arm to upgrade the LP60X Audio Technica cartridge with LP Gear's elliptical. Nothing really wrong with the conical, but I do like the evident enhancement the elliptical has made. The improvement is still there even when streaming the LP60X to cheap speakers using bluetooth. Thanks again.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Yes, I would always go for an elliptical if possible. So, yep, good move.

[@mathtrixmusiclix4248]

Great pics! Can these work well with an RB300 (w/o modification)?

[@lawrencesmith7777]

Any thoughts about how this compares with the similar priced & newly released Rega ND3 (I have a Goldring E3 on a Rega P3 and am looking to upgrade). Thank you.

[@tacofortgens3471]

Great review Paul!

[@matereo]

is the body the same for all e-series cartridges?

[@alexseaford4029]

Another cracking and to the point review, many thanks. I already have the E4 in my wish list to replace the Ortofon OM5E, that came with my Pro-ject T1. Is it Christmas soon?🎅

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Good call. And yes.

[@stephen579]

Is the E4 cartridge an upgrade on the E3 or is it just the stylus that is better?

[@user-tw8hk7ni6k]

How “warm” are the e3 and e4 compared to the Ortofon red? I have this on a project debut carbon as the cartridge that was supplied and always been disappointed with the bass response, it is very lacking to my ears so want a cartridge to boost the bass response. Also can the Goldring be fitted ok to the lightweight tone arm of the debut carbon? Thanks, great review btw.

[@arnoldtolker3505]

Ich habe 2022 meinen 1977er WEGA P 555 Direktantriebs-Vollautomatik-Plattenspieler von AT 95 auf E 3 aufgerüstet. Dieser Goldring klingt um Welten besser! Ich war und bin immer noch sehr freudig überrascht, zumal er damals für 120,- € bei Amazon im Angebot war! Meinst du, es würde sich lohnen, auf E 4 aufzurüsten? Er kostet allerdings momentan 279,- € bei Amazon!

[@jeffdavis6753]

I have a vintage Sansui SR-222 turntable that I’ve owned for 40 plus years. I’m in the process of restoring it and need advice for a replacement cartridge! So a little about what I have in my system, I have a Denon AHV-2800 H paired with some Wharfedel aura speakers and it is all set up as a home theater but my main interest is just listening to music from old albums to streaming my Apple Music but my question is what stylist cartridge would you recommend for my set up? I don’t want to spend money on something that the old Sansui SR 222 is not worthy of but I do wish to get the best sound I can get for the money out of it , so would you think the goldring E4 would be a good option or what your thoughts on the best replacement?

[@johngarnet2826]

Hi; I have an AT3600L which sounds fantastic for such litle money, and would suit your SR-222 tonearm perfectly. Should you have higher aspirations, the recent release of the smaller Ortofon 2MR Blue, also in my roster, sounds magnificent and is specifically made to suit a tonearm such as yours.

[@jeffdavis6753]

Thanks !

[@gaborozorai3714]

Great review, thanks. A really interesting comparison though would be between the Goldring E series cartridges and the equivalent Audio-Technica designs that they are based on. Are they somehow tuned differently, as one would imagine the Goldring and AT "house sound" to be different?

[@TheAudiophileMan]

I didn't go for the ATs because of time so 'I don't know' is my official response. Since I've published this review, I've had, on various platforms, "Why didn't you compare it with..." and then dozens of models are listed. So, in the interests of not running a three hour video...

[@gaborozorai3714]

@@TheAudiophileMan I totally get you but the comparison I was suggesting would be of a different nature, exploring if the Goldrings' sound is tweaked compared to the AT's that they essentially are under the skin. Or is it that Goldring would not be happy about that relationship being highlighted? That would be understandable :)

[@TheAudiophileMan]

You're not hearing me - time...TIME...is my issue on this channel. It takes days to produce a single video. And that's a 10-15 minute job. And I couldn't care less what Goldring and AT think. If a company has an issue with my conclusions then it's them that has a problem. Not me. I would love to do long, involved investigations but time says no. The only way around that would be to do multi part reviews but no one would watch except you, possibly :)

[@gaborozorai3714]

@@TheAudiophileMan I fully understood your time constraints. This is a suggestion for a subject if and when you ever get round to it: Would be great to see if all those "own brand" carts (Goldring, EAT, VPI etc.) that are made by AT do get more than a cosmetic treatment.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

@@gaborozorai3714 Well, oddly enough...instead of a video, I am looking to do a follow up *feature* for my website which I could link in this channel for those who might find it of interest, which will take less processing than a vid. On this very subject. Having had a general chat with the company, yes Goldring do a fair bit of work based on a single piece of core AT tech. So I will go into more detail on that and will report back. Hopefully it won't be too long either.

[@jbnavarrete]

Wondering if the E4 is compatible with the Rega P2 turntable

[@TheAudiophileMan]

'As is', I would say that the E4 is too tall for the P2. Unless...unless you raise the tonearm with shims (either from Rega or via a third party). That would be the solution.

[@gingernutpreacher]

I own the E3 can i put a E4 stili on?

[@TheAudiophileMan]

I think so but let me talk to Goldring tomorrow to double check and I'll get back to you.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

There you go, Goldring is so eager, they answer tech questions on a Sunday. Dedication eh? ;). The answer is yes, you can upgrade your E3 with the E4 stylus.

[@bearded_wolverine3503]

I juat purchased a beand new E3 premounted for $89 USD , i figured for the price, it's worth an audition

[@mrpositronia]

I know you didn't review it, but (rhetorical question follows) wouldn't it be interesting to hear the Goldring GL2200 in comparison? It's only about 20 quid more. :)

[@TheAudiophileMan]

See my response to another poster around here which links with this one - ish.

[@mrpositronia]

​@@TheAudiophileMan Yes the time thing. I'm aware, which is why my question was purely rhetorical. 😁

[@Victrola777]

E4 are $300 in America, which keeps a lot of people from trying it. That's almost 236 pounds sterling !

[@ajmoore2201]

Yeah I get you, I'm from Ireland and already had an E3 so it was only like €150 to upgrade the stylus

[@Victrola777]

@ajmoore2201 I just did an Amazon and ebay search for an E4 styli in America. None on either site. I will look some more later.

[@Victrola777]

@@ajmoore2201 just found one at Hi Fi Heaven for $275, just for the stylus. I can buy a complete unit for 299..

[@lizichell2]

There is not one example of this stylus on KZbin