Stanton 681 EEE Question

[Flounder]

Hi, All.
I have a 681 with a completely trashed stylus and no way of knowing if the cartridge itself is still good. I hooked it up to an ohm meter, and the output is as follows:

white & blue = 862-864 (.864k)
red & green = 862-864
white & red = infinity
blue and green = infinity

Are these expected outputs? And is it safe to say it's OK to order a new stylus? Or is it toast? .

Thanks

 

[tnsilver]

Yes. Your cart reads good. There's no use measuring resistance between white and red or blue and green. Measure inductance if you can, to get a complete picture - but it's looking good so far.

 

[UncleBingo]

Measured a Stanton 681 reference standard (no E's) at 1.4k red and green and 1.4K white and blue. The fact that the coils read the same is a good sign.
Measuring resistance will suffice as a basic go/no-go. Shorted or open coils indicate failure.

 

[Flounder]

Cool. Thx for the speedy replies.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

A Jico elliptical would be a nice reasonably priced stylus option. The EVG Japan elliptical's even cheaper and good, does need to be tracked at a bit heavier forces.

 

[Flounder]

AK'r Stanton681EEES identified it in this thread: http://audiokarma.net/forums/index.php?threads/name-that-stanton.779189/

Should it be ~1.4 as UncleBingo pointed out?

 

[Flounder]

Thanks, Needlestein. Yes, it's consistently reading .864K on both sides, and no - I wasnt able to get any sound out of it. I can try again, but the tip, under a magnifying glass, is black and rounded. It won't even track.

 

[UncleBingo]

The diamond is probably gone-just the mounting stub remains, most likely. You should be able to tap on the metal cartridge body (when it isn't on a record, of course) with a small metal screwdriver (keep the volume down) and hear it through the speakers. Totally worth getting a proper stylus for these. The Jico is a good one. I had a Pfahnstiehl, but it was sibilant. If you get an aftermarket stylus, replace the new brush with your old one. Badger-hair ain't what it used to be : )

 

[NoTransistors]

All my 681xyz have a brushed finish. Your cartridge is polished. AND, Needlestein is an expert at these things, so heed his advice. BTW, if you get a stylus for a 681, it might fit but will now work, as I understand, in an 881. Different technology.

 

[JFRACE]

I second what n stein says, I use the Shibata stylus on mine though for the xsv3000, and the 4822dee. My tracking though has come down on it as it broke in and there's no sibilance.

 

[Flounder]

Great news! Thanks so much.

 

[Flounder]

OK. Tap test works. I can hear it thru the speakers. I'll get either of the two styli mentioned and report back. Thanks again - you guys are awesome!

 

[Flounder]

If it’s reading below 900 ohms, it’s not a 680. That brush in the other thread has white bristles that came only with the 880/881 and 980/981. That’s the first clue. It’s got the wrong stylus on it. Second clue is the engraving on the side. Could be a 681, but not with that 680 stylus. Wrong stylus again.

Do you get any sound out of it?

In any case, get a Pfanstiehl 4822-DEE. It works on either cartridge, but original styli won’t interchange.

Hi, Needlestein
I was looking at Voice of Music this morning. They have two 4822-DEE

• 4822-DEEE EVG Japan Diamond 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical tip for 16,33,45 rpm records 0.75 - 1.5g
• 4822-DEE-P Pfanstiehl Diamond 0.2 x 0.7 mil elliptical tip for 16,33,45 rpm records 0.75 - 1.5g

Is one recommended over the other? Thanks again for your help.

 

[Flounder]

On closer inspection, I see the EVG is a triple E, and it's an EVG - I need to pay closer inspection.

 

[Stanton681EEES]

Seems low. Are you sure that’s not an 881?

680 should read around 1300 ohms

View attachment 1053709

880/881 reads around 900 like yours

View attachment 1053710

Ya that's what I thought as well.

 

[Doug G.]

Also, the coil measurements would not be 864 Kohms. Just 864 ohms.

Doug

 

[empirelvr]

He didn't say 864kO...he typed .864kO...(point 864kO) in other words 864 Ohms.

 

[empirelvr]

These old and tired eyes have some life left in 'em!

 

[Doug G.]

Aw shucks folks. Sorry. My eyesight has taken a decided downturn lately. I didn't see the decimal either. I guess I'll have to start putting two pairs of glasses on.



Doug

 

[Flounder]

Noted! I have a Pfanstiehl 4822-DEE on it's way from Voice of Music. Will report back once I get it mounted and set up. Thanks again everyone for helping out.