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Absolute first post and it's about a Stanton 681.

M

Mike Nassour

New Member
I used to know stuff like this back in the 70s, but now I need a refresher course.

I'm about to purchase a Dual 1229 locally that has been refurbished. I was thinking the ideal cartridge for it would be the Stanton 681 that I've had since, well, let's say back in the day.

The 681 has its original stylus, which did more than 10 years of service, so I'm guessing it's time for a replacement. I have found a vendor who swears he has a NOS 681EEE stylus. He wants $100 for it. I've seen a picture of it in what appears to be an original box. So two questions...first, are there any scams going on with equipment like this and what are the chances of me being taken? Secondly, as I remember the D6800 EEE-III stylus WAS a good replacement for the original stylus on the 681, yes?

Or...am I making a mistake here that I can't see? :)

Any thoughts that anyone has are certainly welcome!

Mike Nassour / Austin Texas
 
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Welcome! IIRC Stan made a 681eee variant in Florida. I think it's the Mk-III. It had a different, none stereohedron stylus that was cheaper. The price seems rather low for the real deal... Not sure though.
 
Thanks for the welcome, Tom!

Is there a rule against posting a link to the stylus in question? I have no connection with the seller at all.
 
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I don't think they're keen on ebay links here whether or not you're affiliated. You can copy the image and post it separately as media or on some external file sharing service like imgur.
 
I'm always suspicious of non-sealed NOS styli. Without looking at it under 200x magnification it would be hard to tell if it's new or the old one that the new one replaced.
 
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yes, even if it's an authentic NOS it's still the .3X.7mil elliptical variant, not the classic stereohedron. It's not bad, just not that special.
 
so... I had to look it up to refresh my memory too. The official website calls the Mk-III "stereohedron elliptical 0.3 X 0.7" while the classic 681eee OM specs the 6800EEE as "0.0002 X 0.0007 elliptical" while the Mk-II OM calls it a Stereohedron II with .0002 scan radii and .003 contact radii. The 681 EEE-S specs it almost the same as the Mk-II with a .0028 contact radii. It looks like the latest 681eee Mk-III is the less impressive stylus. For the price I think it's a meh... Adding the uncertainty factor shrouding most ebay sales I think it's a neah
 
Well, that all makes perfect sense. In that case, where do we go to find the right replacement?

Oh, and BTW, here's the full shot of the Ebay item in case.

Capture.JPG
 
If that is the same one that I see, selling from Japan, it probably is one of the newer .3 x .7 mil. Nothing wrong with it.
 
Ahhhh.....Shibata! I haven't heard that word since I was into CD-4! That is something I can relate to! I think I'll be in touch with one of those on Monday.
 
I did not take the Dual 1229 into consideration. It does not have variable VTA and the Shibata is sensitive to VTA/SRA. So a VividLine or HE stylus from the same vendors would be preferable here. Check out LPTunes as well.
 
Welcome to AK. Possibly consider a Shure M91ED or V15 cartridge body and a Jico, LP Gear, EVG, etc. (no affiliation) aftermarket stylus. Shure and Dual idler tables are a great match IMHO. Also, at times there are OEM NOS M91ED cartridges & 2x7 stylus on BT or the auction site.

I’m a Stanton fan too but the S stylus are hard to come by. Walco sold a nice replacement stylus back when but those are not easy to find either.
 
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johnjhazel said:
The Stanton 681 can hold its own against any cartridge. With a line contact/HE stylus it would sound great. Just because the original styli are not readily available is no reason to swap it out.
Click to expand...

The Stanton 681 is a great vintage cartridge. Just offering a suggestion on another vintage option with available stylus and also works well on a Dual idler table. Also, like many of us having a couple of nice carts on hand to swap out is a nice to have.
 
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jbjsr said:
The Stanton 681 is a great vintage cartridge. Just offering a suggestion on another vintage option with available stylus and also work well on a Dual idler table. Also, like many of us having a couple of nice carts on hand to swap out is a nice to have.
Click to expand...

That's fine, of course. But, the OP already has the 681 and I think that with a decent stylus it would be as good as any of the other suggestions. There has to be one before there are two. LOL.
 
Hello, and welcome to AudioKarma !!

The Dual 1229 is a respected table, and that Stanton is likewise a respected cart. Not sure where you are with this, but good luck!
 
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