HELP!! LP Gear stylus for Pickering XSV/3000 cartridge

[Vintagear]

You guys really know your stuff. I did like the XSV but since I'm just getting back into this so I wonder if I would like some of the others better.

How would you guys classify the sound presentation of the XSV vs. some of the others mentioned.

It might make sense for me to get a well regarded cart and then compare it to the XSV if I can have it repaired.

 

[seminole54]

The closest thing I have heard to the Stanton/Pickering sound profile is the Acutex 312 or the Denon 301 Mk II. If you want to get the XSV repaired I would go with the re-tipper Kent recommends and contact Expert Stylus.

 

[boreas]

The closest thing I have heard to the Stanton/Pickering sound profile is the Acutex 312 or the Denon 301 Mk II. If you want to get the XSV repaired I would go with the re-tipper Kent recommends and contact Expert Stylus.

Expanding on this, Audio-Technicas tend to be brighter, sometimes bordering on the harsh. The 440MLa is less this way than some others but they're brighter and kinda "digital" sounding when compared to the Pickering.

Shures tend to go the other way, warm and mellow with good bass but rolled off in the highs. The Shure sound has a lot of fans but they definitely have a "personality".

Pickerings and Stantons, on the other hand, are true "reference" cartridges. They are very, very accurate. What they give you is what's there, not colored or rolled off or amped up. That's why they were used extensively in the recording and broadcast industry.

As seminole54 said, the Acutex 312II STR is quite similar to the Pickering/Stanton sound, very accurate and revealing with excellent detail. It's what I'm listening to right now.

John

 

[Vintagear]

Pickerings and Stantons, on the other hand, are true "reference" cartridges. They are very, very accurate. What they give you is what's there, not colored or rolled off or amped up. That's why they were used extensively in the recording and broadcast industry.

As seminole54 said, the Acutex 312II STR is quite similar to the Pickering/Stanton sound, very accurate and revealing with excellent detail. It's what I'm listening to right now.

John

Excellent information guys!

Wow, I trust my hearing now more than ever. I knew I heard something in that cart that was right.

I hope I hear from the guys at Expert Stylus soon. Depending on what they tell me I'll make a decision.

I will keep you guys posted.

 

[Vintagear]

**UPDATE**

I contacted expert stylus and they replied but I decided to hold off in sending the stylus for now. I will probably still send it but I'm in no rush right now because I came across this thread:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=545897

Thanks for the info wualta, you were right!

I found an original XSP 3003 kit with the D3000 I needed for about 40% of what the re-tipping would have cost (looks barely used if at all). Based on the high praise you guys and my ears had for the XSV 3000 I figured it was the way to go.

I got the stylus today and I'm listening to some vinyl and it sounds great. No signs of the sibilance I started hearing before the other stylus went kaput.

Very happy tonight. Thanks again to all.

 

[wualta]

Whew! we always whew with relief when someone tries their luck with a used version of some nigh-unobtainable stylus, based on our happy recommendations, and wins out.


Okay! Your next goal is to get the Acutex 312 III STR!

 

[dlaloum]

Expanding on this, Audio-Technicas tend to be brighter, sometimes bordering on the harsh. The 440MLa is less this way than some others but they're brighter and kinda "digital" sounding when compared to the Pickering.

This can be resolved by dropping the Resistive load from 47k to around 35k...

Shures tend to go the other way, warm and mellow with good bass but rolled off in the highs. The Shure sound has a lot of fans but they definitely have a "personality".

Yes - especially since they released the "audiophile tuned" x series (V15VxMR and M97xE) the earlier V15VMR was much more neutral - as were the earlier V15III/IV and M97HE (Direct competitors to the Pickering XSV series)

When fitted with a SAS stylus the high end perks up and the cartridge ends up a touch too bright - I resolve this by raising the capacitance and dropping the resistive load to get them back to the original neutral voicing.
The end result is better than original for the III and IV, and almost as good as the original for the V. (and out of sight order of magnitude better for the M97xE)

Pickerings and Stantons, on the other hand, are true "reference" cartridges. They are very, very accurate. What they give you is what's there, not colored or rolled off or amped up. That's why they were used extensively in the recording and broadcast industry.

The V15VMR was also considered a reference standard in the recording and broadcast industry, as were the Audio Technica ATML180, and earlier AT20ss

These are all very neutral cartridges and fabulous performers.... the one area in which the 'Stanterings' definitely are better is in seperation - but in actual use I have a hard time choosing between my XLZ7500, XSV5000, V15V-SAS and AT20ss - they are all very very good - especially when properly set up and optimised on an appropriately matching arm

As seminole54 said, the Acutex 312II STR is quite similar to the Pickering/Stanton sound, very accurate and revealing with excellent detail. It's what I'm listening to right now.

Must try one (so many cartridges, so little time)

 

[Vintagear]

Here are images of the 1st (white w/black lettering) & 2nd (black w/gold lettering) D3000 styli.

The D3000 with the tip that fell off is the white one. I was reluctant to send it to Expert Stylus because I wasn't 100% sure it was original and not a knock-off. I was told that they usually came in black but I downloaded a manual from vinylengine and it looked white so I assumed production started in white then switched to black (or vice versa) .

Now that I have this black one I compared them and they both look identical. They both have the Pickering logo on the front right side. The shape of the plastic holder is identical, the stylus cantilever looks the same. Even the crimped tube that slides into the cartridge looks the same.

Is it safe to assume the white one is original and worthy of a trip to England? Any thoughts?

 

[boreas]

The "Pc" logo is definitive. Both are genuine.

John

 

[Vintagear]

The "Pc" logo is definitive. Both are genuine.

John

Great! Very helpful, thanks again. That's what someones else said to check, I was just worried about aftermarket or counterfeit stuff.

Now it definitely looks like the white D3000 is taking a trip over to expert stylus. When I get it back I'll compare the ParaTrace to the Stereohedron and post here.

Two more questions:

• Is there a way to tell if an old stylus is new or barely used?
  
• Do styli need to break-in?

 

[tvropro]

Here are images of the 1st (white w/black lettering) & 2nd (black w/gold lettering) D3000 styli.

The D3000 with the tip that fell off is the white one. I was reluctant to send it to Expert Stylus because I wasn't 100% sure it was original and not a knock-off. I was told that they usually came in black but I downloaded a manual from vinylengine and it looked white so I assumed production started in white then switched to black (or vice versa) .

Now that I have this black one I compared them and they both look identical. They both have the Pickering logo on the front right side. The shape of the plastic holder is identical, the stylus cantilever looks the same. Even the crimped tube that slides into the cartridge looks the same.

Is it safe to assume the white one is original and worthy of a trip to England? Any thoughts?

My original XSV 3000 when I got it in 1976 came with the black stylus gold lettering. The stylus got damaged in about 1983 and I picked up an original Pickering replacement. It was white with the black lettering D3000 on it. It has the Pickering Logo also, so they made both. The replacement stylus only cost 39.95 back in the early 80's. I retired the XSV cartridge shortly after that and just resurrected it lately.

Over the last 20 years I have played around with different Shure's mostly a M97ED and a Stanton HZ8S I got in 89 which has very low hours on it like the XSV replacement stylus does. (I'm saving the HZ8S for special use later) I have to admit the XSV 3000 is as great sounding as I remember it when I first got it in 76. Pickering sure got that cartridge right.

 

[Doug G.]

As one who originally was going to jump in and agree with Kent on having it retipped by Expert Stylus, I will be waiting for your comparison to the original Pickering.

Isn't this stuff great?

And as far as Walt and his knowledge of everything cartridge, that is the very good reason he has that patch as his avater.

Doug

 

[tvropro]

As one who originally was going to jump in and agree with Kent on having it retipped by Expert Stylus, I will be waiting for your comparison to the original Pickering.

Doug

I also will be interested in how the retip compares to the original Pickering Stereohedron. Finding an original these days isn't easy. I figure I can always put the Stanton HZ8S back on the turntable when the Pickering goes. It has the Stereohedron II tip.