I see this discussed a lot, and am interested to hear everyone else's results. My main TT has a Shure RXP3 with a generic stylus, and it is crisper and has more punch than the original stylus that it replaced. So, what are everyone else's experiences between generics and OEM?
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Generic vs. OEM stylus
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NoTransistors
Dual Turntables Super-Restorer
Audio is in the ears of the beholder. There is a heated discussion on this subject going on right now on A.K.
Some generics are Chinese garbage. Others are just fine to most ears. Then there are those of equal or superior quality to the original. But ask yourself this: Do I want a chip of who-knows-what wearing out my precious records, or do I want a polished, natural diamond gliding along those grooves? There are some offerings which are THAT good, most are not.
Some generics are Chinese garbage. Others are just fine to most ears. Then there are those of equal or superior quality to the original. But ask yourself this: Do I want a chip of who-knows-what wearing out my precious records, or do I want a polished, natural diamond gliding along those grooves? There are some offerings which are THAT good, most are not.
It also depends on the particular generic. Some are great, some are garbage. If it sounds good, it is good. Unfortunately some of them just sound bad. On the other hand, there are lots of carts out there where an OEM piece just won't happen, or you're limited to very old stock that may be deteriorated beyond the point of usefulness anyway.
lini
just me...
Seth (Hi, btw! 
), g73: Pretty much seconded.
But to add my own mustard, I'd say it basically boils down to: The more sophisticated/higher quality the originals, the less one can expect cheap 3rd party generic replacements to perform on the same level. But even for comparatively simple originals 3rd party generics may still deviate in build quality and important operating parameters (mainly compliance and tracking force).
So usually I'd rather suggest to go for an original replacement (or upgrade). However, what can change the advice is the existence of reasonably priced high quality 3rd party replacements like Jico's SAS needles. Another exception would be, if the originals are known to be very problematic nowadays (like for example pretty much all AKG needles with their special "TS" cantilever suspension design). And another can be totally absurd prices for the originals - but in these cases it might still make more sense to have the originals repaired/retipped than to go for cheap generic replacements...
Hence, as so often, unless you already know exactly what you're doing, it's better to ask for individual, case-specific advice than to go by a general rule.
Greetings from Munich!
Manfred / lini
), g73: Pretty much seconded.But to add my own mustard, I'd say it basically boils down to: The more sophisticated/higher quality the originals, the less one can expect cheap 3rd party generic replacements to perform on the same level. But even for comparatively simple originals 3rd party generics may still deviate in build quality and important operating parameters (mainly compliance and tracking force).
So usually I'd rather suggest to go for an original replacement (or upgrade). However, what can change the advice is the existence of reasonably priced high quality 3rd party replacements like Jico's SAS needles. Another exception would be, if the originals are known to be very problematic nowadays (like for example pretty much all AKG needles with their special "TS" cantilever suspension design). And another can be totally absurd prices for the originals - but in these cases it might still make more sense to have the originals repaired/retipped than to go for cheap generic replacements...
Hence, as so often, unless you already know exactly what you're doing, it's better to ask for individual, case-specific advice than to go by a general rule.
Greetings from Munich!
Manfred / lini
NoTransistors
Dual Turntables Super-Restorer
Manfred,
Been meaning to catch you. Have you heard about my experience on that other audio site? The moderators there actually read private messages. AudioKarma is a much classier website. No such thing here.
Been meaning to catch you. Have you heard about my experience on that other audio site? The moderators there actually read private messages. AudioKarma is a much classier website. No such thing here.
NoTransistors
Dual Turntables Super-Restorer
Large selection of aftermarket needles. Even has a few O.E.M. Shure.
lini
just me...
No, Seth - what happened (or any link, where I can read up on it)? I'd really be surprised, if JaS read private messages, though - unless a recipient would have complained...
Greetings from Munich!
Manfred / lini
P.S.: Maybe we'd better talk about that via PM - so we don't get a bad style warning... Although I'd say the pyjamas I'm wearing at the moment actually look pretty classy.
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TobascoKid
Active Member
lini...you have a PM.
NoTransistors
Dual Turntables Super-Restorer
Manfred, you have a P.M.
Personally, If I can find the OEM, I go that route. An example for me is the generic replacement I got for my Shure N91ED. It was a Pfanstiehl replacement. It sounded fine, but once I got the OEM replacement, there was no comparison. Much more detailed, better bass extension, and much more enjoyable. The problem of course is that this particular OEM is no longer made, so finding one is harder and harder to do. I have heard good things about the Jico replacements, and will be picking up Jico SAS soon.
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I've never gotten good results from either a generic or an old stock OEM stylus. My preference is to always buy a factory-fresh, current model stylus or cartridge.
A related issue is the friction-fit nature of most user-replaceable styli. Like any friction-fit device, the fit becomes looser the more times it is removed and replaced. Where there is not too steep a penalty in price, I typically just buy a complete new cartridge, never taking the original stylus off the body. Supergluing the stylus to the body can also result in improved performance by making that coupling more rigid.
beatcomber
AK Member
The OEM N91Ed was .2 x .7 and the generic is .3 x .7 .
I have 2 from her. One is an EVG branded Shure N91ED replacement that sounds very nice, and the other is a Pfansteihl generic for a Stanton 680. It sounds OK, but its not any better than my old Pickering V15 with the OEM Stanton stylus on it, and really it ought to be. Its not bad though, and it will do just fine as a backup cartridge, which is what I bought it for in the first place.
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
Problem is Generic styli are very variable quality. Japanese made styli by Excel, Jico, and Nagaoka are exceptions (those styli are equal to or superior to original make)
Doug G.
Lunatic Member
You have to be careful with the "punchiness" factor as the generic may just have a stronger or bigger magnet in it and, so, the output of the cartridge will be higher. This will always make it seem "better" at first.
Pay attention to the high frequency reproduction and tracking ability either with difficult-to-track music records or a test record. This will often expose the replacement generic stylus as inferior.
Also, if the original stylus is very worn, a new generic will, of course, sound better because the high frequencies are not being traced well at all by the old, original stylus.
Doug
Pay attention to the high frequency reproduction and tracking ability either with difficult-to-track music records or a test record. This will often expose the replacement generic stylus as inferior.
Also, if the original stylus is very worn, a new generic will, of course, sound better because the high frequencies are not being traced well at all by the old, original stylus.
Doug
hbucker
Well-Known Member
I put an aftermarket stylus on my Audio Technica cart last month. Got it from: www.myneedlestore.com and it seems to sound fine.
Wish I had the re$our$e$ to buy several varieties and compare them...
Wish I had the re$our$e$ to buy several varieties and compare them...
illinoisteve
Super Member
I have been trying to find a good cheap generic replacement for the Pickering XV-15 cartridge I prefer using on my Dual 1229 TT. Early last summer, I ordered a Pfanstiehl 4822-DEE, a .2x.7 mil elliptical replacement for the Stanton 681EE (same body as XV-15). I aligned it as carefully as I could, tried it with and without the brush, adjusting tracking weight and anti-skate accordingly. Initially it sounded great --the best I had heard from that cartridge. Then sometimes on some records, it sounded very distorted. I realigned it umteen times, sometimes improving results, sometimes not. The stylus's average performance seemed to get worse and worse. Finally, I put my Shure M97 cart on the TT in frustration.
Not long ago I ordered a Pfanstiehl 4606-DEG, a .3x.7 elliptical replacement for the Pickering XV-15/750. I find I get some distortion of highs if I go lower than 1.5 gr. tracking force, but so far it sounds quite good on a variety of records, better than a CD for sure on the cleanest ones--fuller, richer, wide frequency response. I'm not sure it sounds quite as good as the very best I heard (undependably) from the 4822-DEE, but I am using a different amp and speakers in my system now, so that could be a factor.
OEM is beyond my price range. I have read in other threads on AK that LPGear's stylii listed as from Japan's best craftsmen (or something like that) are often actually Jicos at a discounted price. Next time, I'll try to spring for one of those...about double what I paid for these Pfanstiehls.
Oh, I forgot which ebay vendor I got the 4606-DEG from. One vendor listed what looks like the same stylus as a generic D750, but the one I ordered it from listed it by the Pfanstiehl number. The one I got was made with white plastic. I forget whether the picture of the other vendor's stylus was the same color or black.
Not long ago I ordered a Pfanstiehl 4606-DEG, a .3x.7 elliptical replacement for the Pickering XV-15/750. I find I get some distortion of highs if I go lower than 1.5 gr. tracking force, but so far it sounds quite good on a variety of records, better than a CD for sure on the cleanest ones--fuller, richer, wide frequency response. I'm not sure it sounds quite as good as the very best I heard (undependably) from the 4822-DEE, but I am using a different amp and speakers in my system now, so that could be a factor.
OEM is beyond my price range. I have read in other threads on AK that LPGear's stylii listed as from Japan's best craftsmen (or something like that) are often actually Jicos at a discounted price. Next time, I'll try to spring for one of those...about double what I paid for these Pfanstiehls.
Oh, I forgot which ebay vendor I got the 4606-DEG from. One vendor listed what looks like the same stylus as a generic D750, but the one I ordered it from listed it by the Pfanstiehl number. The one I got was made with white plastic. I forget whether the picture of the other vendor's stylus was the same color or black.