Can you swap Styli between T4P and 1/2" Cartridges?

Embryos

Embryos

Active Member
Hello!
I just purchased a Technics SLMA1 turntable which is a T4P p mount type. Someone suggested to me I place a ATN440mlb stylus on it, but of all the styli Im finding for sale online, none indicate if they are for T4p or 1/2". Is this because the stylus itself is interchangeable between the two types/sizes of cartridges? I have pretty much zero experience with the T4Ps so someone help me out!
Much thanks!
 
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See my most recent reply in your SL-MA1 thread...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
What cartridge is on your Technics now? I believe some of their T4P mount carts can accept styli from their 1/2” counterparts.
 
Embryos said:
Hello!
I just purchased a Technics SLMA1 turntable which is a T4P p mount type. Someone suggested to me I place a ATN440mlb stylus on it, but of all the styli Im finding for sale online, none indicate if they are for T4p or 1/2". Is this because the stylus itself is interchangeable between the two types/sizes of cartridges? I have pretty much zero experience with the T4Ps so someone help me out!
Much thanks!
Click to expand...

Has to track between 1-1.5 grams to work. 1.25 grams for non adjustable T4p mount tonearms (yours is adjustable). Most T4p mounts are adaptations of 1/2" mount models. The line contact styli and their brethren are best used on 1/2" arms due to being able to dial in VTA/SRA for best performance.
 
stoN_Cold said:
Now you don't have zero experience. :rockon:

https://www.pickupnaalden.com/accessoire_detail.asp?M=Element adapters_ELEMENT-ADAPTOR-T4P-NAAR-RETMA_7415_5209

15egbp.jpg
Click to expand...
Much appreciated but my objective is to get a clean t4p together. Id like to place an AT440MLB Stylus on a Pmount AT SS335eu. I dont know if the stylus is intended specifically for 1/2”, or if it will also fit aT4P. Thanks!
 
SSaxdude said:
What cartridge is on your Technics now? I believe some of their T4P mount carts can accept styli from their 1/2” counterparts.
Click to expand...
Right now i have the stock Technics p33. Someone suggested i purchase an AT SS335eu T4P cartridge and pair it with an AT440mlb stylus. I purchased the cart for $30, but before i fork out $200 for the stylus, i figured I should find out if there would be ANY conflict, as I lack the knowledge to know if that stylus is intended for 1/2” only, or 1/2” and T4P. I did much research on my original question to no avail.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
Has to track between 1-1.5 grams to work. 1.25 grams for non adjustable T4p mount tonearms (yours is adjustable). Most T4p mounts are adaptations of 1/2" mount models. The line contact styli and their brethren are best used on 1/2" arms due to being able to dial in VTA/SRA for best performance.
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According to the specs for the stylus om LP GEAR, the cart tracks at 1 to 1.8 g. So i guess i have that covered. Im wondering more about the actual fit of the stylus connecting to the t4p cartridge.
Stylus -ATN440mlb
Cartridge-ATSS335eu
 
ATN440MLb will fit SS335E/U but this combination will not be T4P compliant, it will be approximately half a gram too heavy and removing stylus guard will not help much. Not a deal breaker, just something to keep in mind.
 
I've got a pair of the MA1 tables and love em. Before you shell out $200 on a stylus, consider the new Grado Black2. It comes in a p-mount version, and from all reports, is fantastic. I've got a lot of excellent p-mount carts, but I'm considering one. Just a suggestion.
 
The technics cartridges are actually pretty good in their own right and styli are fairly interchangeable. I'd look into the options available for a replacement stylus for your P33 before dropping $200 on a stylus that isn't going to be T4P compliant.
 
illegalcolor said:
ATN440MLb will fit SS335E/U but this combination will not be T4P compliant, it will be approximately half a gram too heavy and removing stylus guard will not help much. Not a deal breaker, just something to keep in mind.
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Cool, so in my case having a Technics SLMA1, aT4P table with an adjustable counterweight and antiskate capability, I guess I would be ok. Why are some tables lije mine built as T4P but also have adjustment capabilities? Doesnt that defeat the purpose of T4P?
 
absolon said:
The technics cartridges are actually pretty good in their own right and styli are fairly interchangeable. I'd look into the options available for a replacement stylus for your P33 before dropping $200 on a stylus that isn't going to be T4P compliant.
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Thank you. This is certainly something im looking into. Any suggestions?
 
Bourbon said:
I've got a pair of the MA1 tables and love em. Before you shell out $200 on a stylus, consider the new Grado Black2. It comes in a p-mount version, and from all reports, is fantastic. I've got a lot of excellent p-mount carts, but I'm considering one. Just a suggestion.
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Much appreciated! Im looking into it now.
 
Embryos said:
Thank you. This is certainly something im looking into. Any suggestions?
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The bodies in the P series are all the same so any Pxx stylus should fit your P33.

SAS
Shibata
Hyper-elliptical
Elliptical
Spherical

This is a good thread on P-mount cartridges. dlaloum has some relevant comments on the Technics line starting post #9. There is more info available by searching the vinylengine forum as well. The turntableneedles.com listing for the EPS-30 boron SAS stylus confirms that the P2x styli fit the P3x bodies:

"If this page ever shows we are out of stock on this, the 718-DSAS is completely interchangeable, only has a clear plastic shell."
 
I love the T4P cartridges. My cart on my T4P TT is a AT-142LP, running with ATN-140ML stylus. That is a great combo. I also like the ATN-142LP and ATN-152LP styli for this cart. However, I am using my ATN-152LP on my AT-140ML cartridge on my Dual.

If you want more info on the interchangeable stylus on what cartridge checkout my posting at http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/audio-technica-stylus-at142lp.788889/page-2.

If your cart can run the ATN-440M series then you can use any styli from that posting (note: the posting is focused on the Audio Technica AT142LP cartridge; but these styli are all interchangeable).
 
Bourbon said:
I've got a pair of the MA1 tables and love em. Before you shell out $200 on a stylus, consider the new Grado Black2. It comes in a p-mount version, and from all reports, is fantastic. I've got a lot of excellent p-mount carts, but I'm considering one. Just a suggestion.
Click to expand...

Are the new Grado's actually p-mount compliant (in spec) this time? I was NEVER fan of the older ones personally.
 
Embryos said:
Hello!
I just purchased a Technics SLMA1 turntable which is a T4P p mount type. Someone suggested to me I place a ATN440mlb stylus on it, but of all the styli Im finding for sale online, none indicate if they are for T4p or 1/2". Is this because the stylus itself is interchangeable between the two types/sizes of cartridges? I have pretty much zero experience with the T4Ps so someone help me out!
Much thanks!
Click to expand...

Yes, but it's a bit to heavy (not earth shattering, but it will be heavier than spec. You MIGHt be happier with a 142 or 152 for it, which is in spec. I have the same cart btw and just bought a new stylus for it (the lower end of the 152 lineup for records in not-so-great of shape. That said, someone (needlestein perhaps?) posted that there is a generic replacement for under $15 that he said was incredible, so that might be a better place to start?
 
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