Cartridge ID Help P-mount

[mike22]

For my Technics SL-QL5 I need to select one of the following, and get it a stylus.

I'd like to ID and find correct or upgraded (if worthwhile) stylus for:

1. A Grado P-mount Tan or Beige color says "Grado" and "GC" in gold lettering on front--NOTHING ELSE.
It has an unusual stylus carrier that slides up into the middle of the cartridge from underneath. And the stylus carrier has four metal circles (presumably magnetic) which mate to four areas in the cart. body. Looks pretty high end???

2. A Signet TK4Ep LPGear shows a $40 "replacement" stylus--but no indication of quality of the result--and no upgrade path, suggesting that it ain't that great. Maybe?? (Elliptical, but we knew that; no measurements.)

3. Audiotechnica AT-190EP That one also has a stylus listed at LPGear, but I do not know how good or bad it is. If you have an opinion I'd like to hear it.

I suspect that the first two are better quality, but would like opinions--and a way to locate the correct or upgraded stylii to buy.

Thanks very much.

 

[hakaplan]

Mike, the Grado GC was equivalent to a Green, so not high end. It definitely will accept a Black or Green stylus. For any stylus above that I've heard conflicting opinions.

For the AT190EP, this stylus or anything at the bottom of the page will work.

http://www.turntableneedles.com/Needle-212-DE_p_952.html

These cartridge bodies were all the same and quality was determined by the stylus used. It's a actually a very good series. These are the same bodies as used on the series that begins with the AT120E, but in p-mount form factor.

There are some Signets that can use the same styli as above, but not sure if the TK4EP was one of them.

 

[SA-708]

The Audiotechnica is a rebadged AT-102EP, which is the p-mount version of the AT120E/AT440MLa. There's a wide variety of replacement stylii from conical up to line contact. I've got several of that line of ATs, including a TR485U with a ATN152LP that's one of my favorites. My AT440MLa stylus will fit it as well, but the extra weight of the stylus guard makes it track heavier than intended when used on a p-mount arm.

I think that it may also interchange stylii with the Signet TK4Ep. The picture at the JICO site sure looks like an ATN102EP.
http://www.export-japan.com/marketing/stylus/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=78&products_id=1057

 

[hakaplan]

I think that it may also interchange stylii with the Signet TK4Ep. The picture at the JICO site sure looks like an ATN102EP.
http://www.export-japan.com/marketing/stylus/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=78&products_id=1057

Yes indeed, good call. Didn't think to look at JICO.

 

[BrocLuno]

On the Grado, you can use any "color" series stylus. Green would be correct straight across replacement, but you could start with a Black stylus as a test. If you like the Grado sound, you can go up to say a Silver and get a bit better resolution. It's an acquired taste, so I suggest a starter stylus.

Make sure the goo up in the top of the cartridge stylus cavity is still flexible? If not, dig it out and put some DuxSeal (from the local Air Conditioning shop) in. About a big buggers worth on top of the new stylus when you push it in. It's a dampening agent.

 

[Sam Cogley]

Mike, the Grado GC was equivalent to a Green, so not high end. It definitely will accept a Black or Green stylus. For any stylus above that I've heard conflicting opinions.

For the AT190EP, this stylus or anything at the bottom of the page will work.

http://www.turntableneedles.com/Needle-212-DE_p_952.html

These cartridge bodies were all the same and quality was determined by the stylus used. It's a actually a very good series. These are the same bodies as used on the series that begins with the AT120E, but in p-mount form factor.

There are some Signets that can use the same styli as above, but not sure if the TK4EP was one of them.

I've got one of those with a Shibata. Very nice cart.