Mobile Fidelity StudioTracker MM Phono Cartridge at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The StudioTracker is a dual moving-magnet stereo phono cartridge from Mobile Fidelity (Sebastopol, California, USA), precision-crafted in Japan and available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Developed in collaboration with Allen Perkins of Spiral Groove and Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab engineers, the StudioTracker features a proprietary V-Twin dual-magnet generator, an elliptical diamond stylus, and an output of 3.5 mV across a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. As the entry-level cartridge in the MoFi Electronics Tracker Series, it brings the same cutting-head-inspired generator geometry shared by the UltraTracker and MasterTracker, housed in a resonance-treated polymer body. Ed Kobesky of Positive Feedback described it as rich, fun, and highly listenable, shortchanging almost nothing at its price point.

V-Twin Dual-Magnet Generator: The Logic of the Cutting Head

Every cartridge in the MoFi Electronics Tracker Series begins with a fundamental question: how was this record made? The answer lives at the cutting lathe, and the StudioTracker's V-Twin dual-magnet generator is built around that insight. Two low-mass, powerful magnets are arranged in a V formation running parallel with the stereo record grooves, directly mirroring the orientation of the cutting stylus at the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab mastering studio. This form-follows-function geometry means the StudioTracker's signal-generating structure reads groove walls with the same angular relationship used to inscribe them, giving it an inherent channel separation advantage and a more direct mechanical coupling to the information embedded in vinyl. Developed with Spiral Groove founder Allen Perkins, the V-Twin design ensures that even at the entry point of the Tracker Series, the StudioTracker brings a degree of groove-matched accuracy unavailable in conventional single-magnet cartridges at this price.

Elliptical Stylus, Resonance-Treated Polymer Body, and Next-Generation Damping

The StudioTracker's elliptical diamond stylus is shaped to trace both the lateral and vertical groove walls simultaneously, retrieving more information from inner grooves and complex passages than a spherical tip can access. A proprietary resonance-absorbing material is applied inside the polymer headshell body to control unwanted vibration, tighten the bass, and smooth the top end. Mobile Fidelity and Allen Perkins invested considerable time tuning the StudioTracker's damping elements and generator control, resulting in a sonic character that Hi-Fi+ described as a well-illuminated and well-rounded midrange that delivers an analogue experience exceeding expectations for its modest price. The StudioTracker is manufactured in Japan to the same precision standards applied across the full MoFi Electronics cartridge lineup.

Key Features

• V-Twin Dual-Magnet Generator: Two low-mass magnets aligned in a V formation parallel with record grooves, mirroring the cutting head of the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab mastering lathe for accurate channel separation and groove-matched signal extraction.
• Elliptical Diamond Stylus: A diamond stylus that traces lateral and vertical groove walls simultaneously, retrieving fine inner-groove detail and handling complex dynamic passages with greater accuracy than a spherical profile.
• Resonance-Treated Polymer Body: A proprietary damping material applied inside the headshell body minimizes unwanted resonance, controls the stylus-cantilever-generator assembly, and contributes to the StudioTracker's solidified bass and smooth top end.
• 3.5 mV Output: A high output voltage fully compatible with every standard moving-magnet phono input, with no need for additional gain from a dedicated MC phono stage or step-up transformer.
• Extremely Well-Balanced Frequency Response: Tuned for accurate dynamic swings and a slightly forgiving, musical top end that makes the StudioTracker easy to live with across a wide variety of records and phono stages.
• Voiced by Allen Perkins of Spiral Groove: Fine-tuned in collaboration with Allen Perkins, whose decades of experience at Spiral Groove inform every aspect of the MoFi Electronics cartridge lineup.
• Precision-Crafted in Japan: Manufactured to MoFi's precise specifications in Japan, ensuring consistent quality and reliable performance across the Tracker Series.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mobile Fidelity StudioTracker?

The Mobile Fidelity StudioTracker is a dual moving-magnet phono cartridge precision-crafted in Japan, featuring a V-Twin dual-magnet generator, an elliptical diamond stylus, and a resonance-treated polymer body. It outputs 3.5 mV across a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz and is the entry-level model in the MoFi Electronics Tracker Series. Developed with Allen Perkins of Spiral Groove and described by Positive Feedback as rich, fun, and highly listenable, it is available in Toronto, Canada through Vinyl Sound.

How does the StudioTracker compare to the UltraTracker and Ortofon 2M Red?

The MoFi StudioTracker shares the same V-Twin dual-magnet generator philosophy as the mid-tier UltraTracker and flagship MasterTracker, but uses a polymer body rather than the billet aluminum housing of its stablemates, and mounts with standard nuts and bolts rather than threaded inserts. Compared to the Ortofon 2M Red, which uses a conventional single-magnet moving-magnet design with a bonded elliptical stylus, the StudioTracker's V-Twin generator provides a distinct channel separation advantage born from its cutting-head-inspired geometry. Positive Feedback noted that the StudioTracker carries a tune with the best of its competitors and glows at its price point, delivering a rich and forgiving presentation that suits a wide range of turntables and systems.

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

Yes, the MoFi StudioTracker is fully compatible with any standard moving-magnet phono input. Its 3.5 mV output and 47 kOhm impedance match the universal MM phono specification found on virtually every integrated amplifier, stereo receiver, and dedicated phono preamplifier with an MM input. No step-up transformer or dedicated MC phono stage is required, making the StudioTracker a completely plug-and-play solution for entry-level and mid-range analog systems.

What is the V-Twin dual-magnet generator and how does it differ from a conventional MM design?

The V-Twin dual-magnet generator uses two low-mass magnets arranged in a V formation aligned parallel with the stereo record grooves, directly mirroring the orientation of the cutting stylus used to press those grooves on a mastering lathe. A conventional moving-magnet cartridge uses a single magnet mounted perpendicular to the groove rather than parallel to it, creating a less direct mechanical relationship with the groove geometry. The V-Twin approach, developed by Mobile Fidelity in collaboration with Allen Perkins of Spiral Groove, yields superior channel separation and a more accurate, lower-coloration extraction of stereo information from vinyl.

What capacitance setting should I use with the StudioTracker?

The MoFi StudioTracker specifies a recommended capacitance of 100 pF, which represents the target total capacitance including the phono cable and phono stage input combined. In practice, most phono preamplifiers set to their 100 pF input position, combined with a typical tonearm cable's inherent capacitance of around 100 to 150 pF, will produce a total of approximately 200 to 250 pF. This falls comfortably within the range that delivers a balanced, accurate top end from the StudioTracker without tipping into excessive brightness or roll-off.

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

The Mobile Fidelity StudioTracker is available in Toronto and across Canada through Vinyl Sound, an authorized Mobile Fidelity dealer in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound carries the complete MoFi Electronics Tracker Series and can assist with cartridge selection, tonearm compatibility, and phono stage recommendations for your analog setup.

Is the StudioTracker a good upgrade from a stock cartridge on an entry-level turntable?

Yes, the MoFi StudioTracker is a meaningful upgrade from the generic bonded stylus cartridges supplied with most entry-level turntables. Its V-Twin dual-magnet generator, proprietary resonance-damping body, and elliptical diamond stylus represent a level of engineering investment that most stock cartridges in this category do not attempt. The StudioTracker's extremely well-balanced frequency response and solidified bottom end bring a more accurate and more musically satisfying presentation to any turntable capable of tracking at 1.8 to 2.2 g, and its 3.5 mV output ensures compatibility with every MM phono input encountered in entry-level and mid-range systems.

How does the StudioTracker's polymer body affect its sound compared to the metal-bodied Tracker models?

The StudioTracker's polymer body incorporates a proprietary resonance-absorbing material applied inside the headshell enclosure, which works to control generator vibration and smooth the high-frequency response in a manner similar to the billet aluminum damping used in the UltraTracker and MasterTracker. The polymer construction results in a slightly warmer, more forgiving top end compared to the aluminum-bodied models, which tend toward greater bass tightness and background silence. For listeners pairing the StudioTracker with brighter-sounding phono stages or turntables with lively platters, this inherent tonal character can be an advantage rather than a limitation.