AT130e - best option for replacement stylus

beej

beej

Proud BaPa of G, A and AJ
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I have an AT130e that needs a new stylus. A thread search has produced some really interesting recommendations:

AT440/MLa stylus
ATN130E orignal
AT140LC
AT13E

Regardless of choice the cart will be mounted on my Tech SL1200 mk2 with cardas tonearm rewire and KAB rca upgrades. My listening tastes are somewhat eclectic: easy listening, 70s rock, some classical.

I recognize that there will be some price differential between and among the above. One consideration is whether additional cost produces noticeable difference in sound.

Other possible options welcome as well.

Thanks.
 
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Have tried the 440Mla stylus on my 130E gold body and the sound is a bit less congested, if hearing more HF detail and transparency is your thing you may prefer the 440Mla stylus but I think the 130E may be more balanced overall.

Dave/ChairSpud
 
I'll second the 125LC stylus. I've tried mine on of coarse the 125 body a 130E body a 135E body and notice more detail. Of the three the 125LC was best.
 
Currently, I have the 120 cart but just put the 140LC stylus on it. I am really loving the sound. As for finding a replacement 130, good luck with that. I would personally go with either the 125LC or 140LC, depends on how much you want to spend, but at only a $15 difference between the two, I would opt for the 140.
 
Butch: In any case, scratch that "AT13E", 'cause neither the ATS13E (for the AT13E), nor the ATN13 (for the AT13Ea) would fit onto your AT130E body.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
beej said:
Guys, thanks. This is really helpful stuff. All input welcome.

Manfred, thanks. Always helps the decision making to eliminate an option.

Chris, this appears to be the McCoy. If I'm mistaken please recalibrate me: http://www.turntableneedles.com/Audio-Technica-AT130E-Needle-ATN130E-Our-Stylus-208-DEM_p_944.html
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I just checked with this site for that stylus. It really is obsolete. They ask you to make another choice.

*******************

That one is obsolete as noted.

Any 208- series needle will work with that cartridge.

They can be found here:

https://www.turntableneedles.com/search.asp?keyword=208-d&search=GO

Thank you for your inquiry,

Kyle
TurntableNeedles.com

**************************

In my web search the only other stylus claiming to be for the AT130E cost $12-$13. I had my doubts and passed on it.
 
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chris35745 said:
Currently, I have the 120 cart but just put the 140LC stylus on it. I am really loving the sound. As for finding a replacement 130, good luck with that. I would personally go with either the 125LC or 140LC, depends on how much you want to spend, but at only a $15 difference between the two, I would opt for the 140.
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I have the same setup -- a 140LC on a 120 body -- and it is truly suh-weet!

Something I noticed today on that auction site: http://www.ebay.com/itm/310534834497?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

There are two desirable styli in this lot -- a NOS genuine 130 (208-DEM) and genuine Pickering XV15-100 (606-D7C). The rest are pretty "meh". You might be able to do a best offer, keep the 130, and sell the rest. That''d probably be the cheapest route to a genuine 130 replacement.

P.S. -- if you want to translate Pfanstiehl numbers to styli, you can do it at Gary's website: http://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog/phono_needles.asp
 
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And thanks Chris for the confirming recalibration.

bang, made an offer per your suggestion. I'll report back.

That said, I haven't dismissed the thought of either the 125LC or the 140LC.
 
Butch: Oh, and just in case it shouldn't be known already, my personal favourites of the AT120/120P family needles are the ATN130E/132EP, the ATN150E and the ATN155LC/152LP. You might need to look outside of the US for any of these now, though - seems like the stock of remaining high quality nos AT needles is dwindling pretty rapidly now, and the prices already went up quite a bit. For example, roundabout two years ago, it still wasn't difficult to find an ATN130E or ATN132EP for roundabout 60 to 80 (either bucks for you or Euro incl. VAT for me over here...) from most of the usual vendors - situation now: quite a few vendors less, and price level up to some 100 to 120...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
Well, Manfred, we'll see. I made the seller an offer on ebay and he accepted it. Sure looks like NOS AT130e.

bang, good suggestion. Stay tuned after I get this baby and give it a listen I'll get back.
 
Butch: Yup, 208-DEM is a Pfanstiehl-repacked original ATN130E. Excellent deal for that price btw - congrats!

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
beej said:
Well, Manfred, we'll see. I made the seller an offer on ebay and he accepted it. Sure looks like NOS AT130e.

bang, good suggestion. Stay tuned after I get this baby and give it a listen I'll get back.
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Glad I could help.:thmbsp:

I'm always looking on eBay for stuff like that, things that are good stuff but aren't exactly clearly described. If I didn't already have the ATN140LC, I would've jumped on that myself. Glad someone in need was able to get it.
 
Well guys there is truth in advertising after all! Took delivery and sorted out the other styli (discussion for another day, but all good). Mounted and aligned the ATN130E on my SL1200MK2 (W/KAB Cardas mods to tonearm and I/Cs) and wow! Of course it's not broken in yet but the more I play it the better it sounds. Incredible soundstage, stereo separation and wonderfully punching bass.

Have it set at 1.1 VTF and with rake angle that is as close to 90 deg as I can get it. Any thoughts on anything I can do to tweek the set up? Believe me it sounds wonderful as it is; just checking.

Thanks again, bang, for that incredible heads up!
 
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