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The Rega RP1 (and its predecessor, the Rega P1) ships with a fixed, non-detachable headshell on the RB101 tonearm, so any upgrade cartridge needs to physically bolt to that arm rather than swap in a removable headshell. Cartridges taller than Rega’s own thin-bodied Carbon also need a tonearm spacer shim to keep the vertical tracking angle correct. These seven are the cartridges RP1 owners actually install.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rega Bias 2 | $70-$90 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Rega Elys 2 | $150-$180 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Ortofon 2M Red | $99-$110 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | Nagaoka MP-110 | $105-$115 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Goldring 1006 | $150-$220 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Grado Prestige Gold3 | $100-$130 | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | Audio-Technica AT95E | $35-$50 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
Rega Bias 2
Rega’s own step-up moving-magnet cartridge, designed to match the RB101 arm’s geometry without needing a spacer shim.
- Moving magnet design
- Elliptical stylus
- Matched to Rega’s own tonearm geometry
- No shim needed since it’s built to Rega’s own body height
- Meaningful upgrade over the stock Rega Carbon
- Less dramatic sonic jump than moving to a different brand entirely
Rega Elys 2
A higher-tier Rega cartridge above the Bias 2, still built to the same Rega-friendly body height.
- Moving magnet design
- Elliptical stylus
- Rega-matched body height
- Cleaner top end than the Bias 2
- Still a no-shim, drop-in fit on the RB101
- Costs roughly double the Bias 2 for an incremental gain
Ortofon 2M Red
The most commonly recommended non-Rega upgrade for the RP1, prized for a neutral, balanced presentation.
- Moving magnet design
- Elliptical stylus
- Replaceable stylus shared with higher 2M models
- Very well-regarded, frequently cited as a benchmark at this price
- Upgrade path to 2M Blue stylus later on the same body
- Taller body than Rega’s own cartridges, needs a tonearm spacer shim
Nagaoka MP-110
A Japanese moving-magnet cartridge frequently chosen by RP1 owners specifically for its warmer bass response.
- Moving magnet design
- Elliptical stylus
- Boron cantilever
- Warmer low end than the thinner-sounding stock Carbon
- Well regarded in independent cartridge comparisons
- May need a spacer shim depending on exact body height versus the RB101’s setup
Goldring 1006
A British moving-magnet cartridge often cross-shopped against the Ortofon 2M Red for RP1 upgrades.
- Moving magnet design
- Elliptical stylus
- Wide frequency response
- Detailed, well-balanced sound in independent reviews
- Established alternative to the Ortofon 2M line
- Less widely stocked in the US than Ortofon’s 2M series
Grado Prestige Gold3
A moving-iron cartridge for RP1 owners who want a distinctly warmer, more relaxed tonal balance than Rega’s own house sound.
- Moving iron design
- Elliptical stylus
- Standard cartridge body
- Warm, musical presentation that’s a real departure from Rega’s tuning
- Reasonably priced for the sonic difference
- Grado’s open coil design is more sensitive to motor hum in poorly shielded setups
Audio-Technica AT95E
A budget entry-level cartridge, useful mainly as a cheap trial upgrade before committing to a pricier RP1 cartridge.
- Elliptical stylus
- Dual moving magnet
- Low cost
- Cheapest way to confirm the tonearm and phono stage are working correctly
- Widely available replacement stylus
- Sonic ceiling well below the Ortofon, Nagaoka, or Rega step-up options
Buying tips
- Any cartridge taller than Rega’s own thin-bodied Carbon/Bias/Elys line needs a tonearm spacer shim to restore correct vertical tracking angle — factor that into your budget and setup time.
- The RB101 tonearm on the base RP1 is an entry-level arm; a premium cartridge like a high-output moving coil is generally wasted on it, which is why this list stays in the moving-magnet/moving-iron range.
- If you’re not sure the upgrade is worth it yet, try the budget Audio-Technica AT95E first to confirm your phono stage and setup before spending on the Ortofon or Nagaoka.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.