Mobile Fidelity MasterTracker MM Phono Cartridge at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The MasterTracker is a dual moving-magnet stereo phono cartridge from Mobile Fidelity (Sebastopol, California, USA), hand-built in Japan and available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Developed in collaboration with Allen Perkins of Spiral Groove, the MasterTracker features a proprietary V-Twin dual-magnet generator, a Micro-Linear diamond stylus on a tapered cantilever, and an output of 3 mV, covering a frequency response of 20 Hz to 25,000 Hz. Its generator layout mirrors the cutting head of the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab mastering lathe in Sebastopol, California, making it the only moving-magnet cartridge in its class conceived from the perspective of how records are made. Stereophile awarded the MasterTracker Class B Recommended Component status, and it is the flagship MM cartridge of the MoFi Electronics Tracker Series.

V-Twin Dual-Magnet Generator: Designed Like a Cutting Head

The MasterTracker's defining innovation is its V-Twin dual-magnet generator, which mirrors the physical layout of the stereo cutting head used at the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab mastering studio that produces the label's world-renowned Original Master Recordings. Two low-mass, powerful magnets are aligned in a V formation running parallel with the stereo record grooves, exactly as they are oriented in the cutting stylus that originally inscribed those grooves. This form-follows-function geometry is unique among moving-magnet cartridges and results in a generator that is, in the most literal sense, built to live inside record grooves. The payoff is outstanding channel separation, exceptional detail retrieval, and a direct mechanical relationship between the signal-generating structure and the vinyl it was designed to read. MasterTracker is afforded the lightest-weight magnets of any cartridge in the MoFi Tracker Series, allowing it to achieve the kind of open, dynamic, low-coloration performance more commonly associated with high-end moving-coil designs.

Micro-Linear Stylus, Tapered Cantilever, and Billet Aluminum Body

The MasterTracker's trademarked Micro-Linear diamond stylus is shaped to mirror the profile of a mastering lathe's cutting head, allowing it to trace vinyl groove walls with the same geometry used to cut them. A tapered cantilever reduces effective mass toward the stylus tip, improving transient speed and high-frequency accuracy. The cartridge housing is machined from solid billet aluminum in the USA, a construction choice that effectively damps resonance and delivers taut, controlled bass reproduction with no overhang or edge. Ohno continuous-cast copper (OCC) coils provide a low-distortion signal path that preserves low-level detail with a clarity Stereophile's Herb Reichert described as the music-rendering equal of any high-output cartridge at any price. TONEAudio noted that the grain and loss of low-level resolution that affects most MM cartridges regardless of price is remarkably absent in the MasterTracker.

Key Features

• V-Twin Dual-Magnet Generator: Two low-mass magnets aligned in a V formation parallel with record grooves, mirroring the cutting head layout of the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab mastering lathe for innate channel separation and groove-matched signal extraction.
• Micro-Linear Diamond Stylus: A trademarked stylus profile shaped like the cutting head of a record lathe, enabling microscopic groove tracing with exceptional detail retrieval and reduced groove wear.
• Tapered Cantilever: A cantilever that reduces mass toward the stylus tip, improving tracking speed, transient response, and accuracy at high frequencies.
• Billet Aluminum Body (USA-Milled): The cartridge housing is machined from solid aluminum billet in the United States, providing superior resonance damping compared to moulded or cast alternatives, and resulting in tight, edge-free bass reproduction.
• Ohno Continuous Cast Copper Coils: OCC copper wire minimizes grain boundaries in the signal path, preserving micro-detail and lowering distortion across the full frequency range.
• Lightest Magnets in the Tracker Series: The reduced magnet mass allows the generator to respond with the speed, openness, and dynamic range typically reserved for moving-coil designs.
• Threaded Body for Easy Mounting: Threaded screw holes eliminate the need for separate nuts, simplifying installation on any standard headshell or integral tonearm.
• Hand-Built in Japan: Assembled under strict quality-control conditions in Japan for exacting precision and unit-to-unit consistency across the Tracker Series.

Technical Specifications

Awards and Critical Recognition

• Class B Recommended Component, Stereophile (Herb Reichert)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mobile Fidelity MasterTracker?

The Mobile Fidelity MasterTracker is a dual moving-magnet phono cartridge hand-built in Japan, featuring a V-Twin dual-magnet generator, a Micro-Linear diamond stylus, and a billet aluminum body milled in the USA. It outputs 3 mV across a frequency response of 20 Hz to 25,000 Hz and is the flagship MM cartridge of the MoFi Electronics Tracker Series. Developed with Allen Perkins of Spiral Groove and awarded Stereophile Class B Recommended Component status, it is available in Toronto, Canada through Vinyl Sound.

How does the MasterTracker compare to the Audio-Technica AT-VM760SLC and Ortofon 2M Black?

The MoFi MasterTracker occupies the same flagship MM segment as the Audio-Technica AT-VM760SLC and Ortofon 2M Black, but distinguishes itself through its unique V-Twin dual-magnet generator, which mirrors a mastering lathe's cutting head layout rather than using a conventional single-magnet design. The 2M Black uses a Shibata stylus for extended high-frequency reach, while the AT-VM760SLC employs a Shibata on a VM dual-moving-magnet system. The MasterTracker's Micro-Linear stylus and OCC coils are specifically voiced for the musical character of Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Original Master Recordings, and Herb Reichert of Stereophile rated it the music-rendering equal of any high-output cartridge at any price.

Can the MasterTracker be used with a standard moving-magnet phono input?

Yes, the MoFi MasterTracker is fully compatible with any standard moving-magnet phono input. Its 3 mV output and 47 kOhm impedance match the universal MM phono stage specification found on virtually every integrated amplifier, stereo receiver, and dedicated phono preamplifier that includes an MM input. No step-up transformer or dedicated MC phono stage is required, making the MasterTracker one of the easiest high-performance cartridges to integrate into an existing system.

What is a V-Twin dual-magnet generator and why does it matter?

A V-Twin dual-magnet generator uses two low-mass magnets aligned in a V formation running parallel with the stereo record grooves, mirroring the orientation of the cutting stylus used to inscribe those grooves on a mastering lathe. Unlike a conventional single-magnet moving-magnet generator, the V-Twin geometry creates a more direct mechanical relationship between the signal-generating structure and the groove walls it reads, resulting in superior channel separation, more accurate stereo imaging, and a closer sonic approximation of the original master recording. Mobile Fidelity developed this layout by studying the cutting head of their own mastering lathe at Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab in Sebastopol, California.

What capacitance setting should I use with the MasterTracker?

The MoFi MasterTracker is specified with a recommended capacitance of 100 pF. This value includes the combined capacitance of the phono cable and the phono stage input, so the ideal setting on an adjustable phono stage will depend on the capacitance of the tonearm wiring and interconnect in use. Many modern phono preamplifiers offer selectable capacitance; setting as close to 100 pF total as possible will yield the flattest high-frequency response and the most accurate tonal balance from the MasterTracker.

Where can I buy the Mobile Fidelity MasterTracker in Toronto or Canada?

The Mobile Fidelity MasterTracker is available in Toronto and across Canada through Vinyl Sound, an authorized Mobile Fidelity dealer in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound carries the full MoFi Electronics cartridge lineup and can assist with tonearm compatibility, phono stage matching, and setup guidance for your analog system.

Is the MasterTracker a good match for Mobile Fidelity Original Master Recordings?

Yes, the MoFi MasterTracker was specifically conceived to play back Mobile Fidelity Original Master Recordings with the greatest possible fidelity. Its V-Twin generator mirrors the cutting head of the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab mastering lathe, and its Micro-Linear stylus profile is shaped to match the geometry of the cutting stylus used to press those records. The result is a cartridge that extracts groove information with the same mechanical framework used to inscribe it, making the MasterTracker an exceptionally well-matched partner for MoFi LPs and demanding reference pressings alike.

How does the MasterTracker perform compared to moving-coil cartridges?

The MoFi MasterTracker was engineered to close the performance gap between moving-magnet and moving-coil designs. Its V-Twin generator uses the lightest-weight magnets in the MoFi Tracker Series, granting it the openness, dynamic range, and transient speed more commonly associated with low-output MC cartridges. Herb Reichert of Stereophile noted it proved the music-rendering equal of any high-output cartridge at any price, while Jason Thorpe of SoundStage! Ultra highlighted a sophistication that belied its moving-magnet topology. For listeners who want MC-level performance without the need for a dedicated MC phono stage, the MasterTracker is a compelling alternative.