On a separate thread, Trower pointed me to upgraded aftermarket styli for an AT95E.
I've checked out the link and found out there is also a Shibata Diamond version (95SA) available.
I've gone through two other cartridges on my stock SL1300 ( Nagaoka MP10 and much touted AT440MLa ) and the AT95E emerged as my favourite out of three.
It doesn't have frequency extensions nor much of resolution, but Iove the way it delivers the music direct and upfront. Bopping along nicely without much faults.
It does not sound strident and bright as costlier 440MLa ( altho, I've a feeling, I have too much capacitance in my system for this cartridge to work optimally. )
So, I've decided to try both to see what kind of improvements or changes they could bring.
The one on the right with blue body is the 95HE ( hyperelliptical ), on the left is the Shibata version. On naked eyes, it's really hard to see the differences.
All the electrical specs are the same so I assume the only differences here are how the diamond is cut. I did not change the tracking force (1.85g or thereabouts) on all cartridges and used the same Sumiko headshell with an aux. weight to offset the extra weight.
Both styli retained what was good on an AT95E and tonal balance stayed the same. Tracking on all three styli is excellent. I haven't had any strange mistracking, no inner groove distortion. They all play clean through out.
The first up is the 95HE (60$ via LP Gear )
Smoother trebles and it can resolve a tad more than the original stylus. The bass line is slightly clearer, so the timing is also slightly improved. The note delivery is less choppy and can resolve better note decay. The midrange is also cleaner and can sort things out better.
I think the changes it brought were all pluses improving small niggles I had with the 95E here and there.
Then the Shibata Stylus. (a bit pricey at 130$ )
Originally developed for the old Quad system ( CD4 ) and it is said to be able to dig out more information. I'm usually skeptical for such a claim, but encouraged by what I have heard so far with the 95HE, what a hell....
What I was hoping is that it won't take on 440MLa's character. ( too refined/hifi )
From the first note out, I knew I was going to like this. A better solidity in bass. Neither previous styli could resolve the bass dynamics quite well but the 95SA now can sort out a cleaner bass line through out. Yet this time, it added on a few octaves giving the music a better overall solidity and impact.
Comparatively, this is blazing fast and articulate. Much more so than the 95HE. Miles away from the original 95E.
Even better high frequency extension is heard whilst maintaining substance and weight over all without adding any hint of glare or congestion.
It also starts to build on a better tonal colour, too.
Ok. so this stylus upgrade is a bit more than a 440MLa, but the cost difference is well justified for what it delivers.
It's been an interesting experience since I have never tried different styli on the same cartridge.
I've checked out the link and found out there is also a Shibata Diamond version (95SA) available.
I've gone through two other cartridges on my stock SL1300 ( Nagaoka MP10 and much touted AT440MLa ) and the AT95E emerged as my favourite out of three.
It doesn't have frequency extensions nor much of resolution, but Iove the way it delivers the music direct and upfront. Bopping along nicely without much faults.
It does not sound strident and bright as costlier 440MLa ( altho, I've a feeling, I have too much capacitance in my system for this cartridge to work optimally. )
So, I've decided to try both to see what kind of improvements or changes they could bring.
The one on the right with blue body is the 95HE ( hyperelliptical ), on the left is the Shibata version. On naked eyes, it's really hard to see the differences.
All the electrical specs are the same so I assume the only differences here are how the diamond is cut. I did not change the tracking force (1.85g or thereabouts) on all cartridges and used the same Sumiko headshell with an aux. weight to offset the extra weight.
Both styli retained what was good on an AT95E and tonal balance stayed the same. Tracking on all three styli is excellent. I haven't had any strange mistracking, no inner groove distortion. They all play clean through out.
The first up is the 95HE (60$ via LP Gear )
Smoother trebles and it can resolve a tad more than the original stylus. The bass line is slightly clearer, so the timing is also slightly improved. The note delivery is less choppy and can resolve better note decay. The midrange is also cleaner and can sort things out better.
I think the changes it brought were all pluses improving small niggles I had with the 95E here and there.
Then the Shibata Stylus. (a bit pricey at 130$ )
Originally developed for the old Quad system ( CD4 ) and it is said to be able to dig out more information. I'm usually skeptical for such a claim, but encouraged by what I have heard so far with the 95HE, what a hell....
What I was hoping is that it won't take on 440MLa's character. ( too refined/hifi )
From the first note out, I knew I was going to like this. A better solidity in bass. Neither previous styli could resolve the bass dynamics quite well but the 95SA now can sort out a cleaner bass line through out. Yet this time, it added on a few octaves giving the music a better overall solidity and impact.
Comparatively, this is blazing fast and articulate. Much more so than the 95HE. Miles away from the original 95E.
Even better high frequency extension is heard whilst maintaining substance and weight over all without adding any hint of glare or congestion.
It also starts to build on a better tonal colour, too.
Ok. so this stylus upgrade is a bit more than a 440MLa, but the cost difference is well justified for what it delivers.
It's been an interesting experience since I have never tried different styli on the same cartridge.
