Any Recent Developments for Pickering D3000 Stylus?
- Thread starter mbose
- Start date
Just curious - did you notice and decrease in output in the 680E body vs. the XSV/3000?
Stanton681EEES
Addicted Member
OK POSTING THIS FOR CLARIFICATION. (I'm not yelling used caps for effect) 890 styluses work as should in 881 and XVS3000 bodies but not as well and a possible hum in 681 and 700 series Example (737 747 E's and S's)
Thanks Needlestein for reporting the hum issue, and Stanton681EEES for confirming 
No sweat, I purchased the 890E to try in my Samarium Cobalt cartridges. The possibility that it "might" work in a MI body was just a bonus, but not the reason I purchased it. BTW, the seller is open to best offers so I couldn't pass it up at the price I paid.
I'll try it out in my 681 body and report back...
No sweat, I purchased the 890E to try in my Samarium Cobalt cartridges. The possibility that it "might" work in a MI body was just a bonus, but not the reason I purchased it. BTW, the seller is open to best offers so I couldn't pass it up at the price I paid.
I'll try it out in my 681 body and report back...
I received the 890E stylus in the mail yesterday, and tonight I got around to setting it up.
First, I also have doubts as to whether these are in fact "new" as the seller states. It was shipped in a Pfanstiehl package for a completely different stylus (no foul, as the listing said that it didn't include the original retail packaging). Somewhat alarming was that the Pfanstiehl box was simply placed in a fairly thin bubble mailer, but it arrived undamaged.
The stylus tube was shiny (is that the word? Ones that have been inserted/removed multiple times will show it). But inspecting the diamond with a 60X magnifier that I own, the stylus certainly didn't have the appearance of being unused as it had a small amount of gunk on it. A very minor amount, but noticeable. Obviously, that level of magnification is insufficient to determine wear. Perhaps it was used as a test subject by the seller, to verify the "works with moving iron cartridges" claim. Speaking of which...
The 890E did in fact work in my XV-15 as advertised, and I didn't notice any hum whatsoever. For some reason, it fit really tight in my 681 and I didn't want to force the issue. Buyer beware though - I may have received an outlier. But I imagine most people would be wanting to use it strictly for the intended application (MM cartridges). It sounds quite nice in my 881, for which up until now I only had aftermarket stylus options.
First, I also have doubts as to whether these are in fact "new" as the seller states. It was shipped in a Pfanstiehl package for a completely different stylus (no foul, as the listing said that it didn't include the original retail packaging). Somewhat alarming was that the Pfanstiehl box was simply placed in a fairly thin bubble mailer, but it arrived undamaged.
The stylus tube was shiny (is that the word? Ones that have been inserted/removed multiple times will show it). But inspecting the diamond with a 60X magnifier that I own, the stylus certainly didn't have the appearance of being unused as it had a small amount of gunk on it. A very minor amount, but noticeable. Obviously, that level of magnification is insufficient to determine wear. Perhaps it was used as a test subject by the seller, to verify the "works with moving iron cartridges" claim. Speaking of which...
The 890E did in fact work in my XV-15 as advertised, and I didn't notice any hum whatsoever. For some reason, it fit really tight in my 681 and I didn't want to force the issue. Buyer beware though - I may have received an outlier. But I imagine most people would be wanting to use it strictly for the intended application (MM cartridges). It sounds quite nice in my 881, for which up until now I only had aftermarket stylus options.
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So needlestein, do you recommend that N890e stylus when using the XSV3000 with a Rega RB 300 tonearm? This arm is not "massive" - I think it's described more as medium mass.
I have MANY styli for this cartridge - including an original D3000 retipped by Expert Stylus ; a NOS D3001e; a JICO replacement for the D3000 purchased directly from the company in Japan ; TAE 8153ED "genuine diamond replacement" ; and a 4608-DEX purchased long ago off ebay.
I guess another stylus - for rough condition LPs - can't hurt!
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OP here, with an update. I ordered both the Pfanstiehl 4822-DEE and the N890E. Besides getting two very nice looking styli, I also learned that my Empire is a long way from being ready for prime time. Output was extremely low and distorted. The motor also sounds a little noisy, but that is without knowing what it should be.
It has the 980 tonearm with the non-removable headshell, so I plan to remove the tonearm and thoroughly go over it. The grommets have already been changed and the bearing cleaned and oiled. Since the tonearm assembly will be off, I will remove the motor and service it as well. I have some NOS oil caps and plan to test the current one that is installed.
Have found lots of good advice on AK from Empirelvr and others. This site is great! Thanks for all the effort.
It has the 980 tonearm with the non-removable headshell, so I plan to remove the tonearm and thoroughly go over it. The grommets have already been changed and the bearing cleaned and oiled. Since the tonearm assembly will be off, I will remove the motor and service it as well. I have some NOS oil caps and plan to test the current one that is installed.
Have found lots of good advice on AK from Empirelvr and others. This site is great! Thanks for all the effort.
Crazy Gnome
Learn how to Love and forget how to hate
@needlestein I been reading a lot of your posts and they have been very helpful on making my desicion in resurrecting my Pickering xsv 3000. Almost settled on the 4822-dee-p. I am just having a hard time visualizing how it fits. Are there any modifications required? Thanks.
Crazy Gnome
Learn how to Love and forget how to hate
Great .thanks a million will order today.