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Looking for info on a Stanton 681

RickeyM

RickeyM

AK Subscriber
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I just got a TT with a Stanton cart on it. I've seen 681E, 681EE and 681EEE variants but nothing on this one. Does anyone have any info on it? It's got a Stanton stylus on it but I don't have any specs on it either. It sounds good but I'd like to know what I've got here.
TIA
 
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Yes, an elliptical stylus. 3/4-1 1/2 grams tracking force. .3 x .7 mil elliptical stylus. Add 1 gram tracking force if using the brush. To be exact, you own a Stanton 681 EEE III.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
Yes, an elliptical stylus. 3/4-1 1/2 grams tracking force. .3 x .7 mil elliptical stylus. Add 1 gram tracking force if using the brush. To be exact, you own a Stanton 681 EEE III.
Click to expand...

A 681 EEE? Allrighty then :banana: FWIW the deck is a Sony PS-X70.
 
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The large S refers to the Stylus shape which is more advanced. S means Stereohedron. The shape is similar to a fine line profile by Ortofon as I remember. It wasn't as radical as Shures Microridge. During that period of time it seemed everyone had their own version. Especially when Quad LP's came along that demanded much better high frequency performance.
 
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Got it. Hand engraved L5208. Bought a Pioneer PL115-D for $80 and this was on it. Is it too good for the TT?
 

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If the stylus is good you got a keeper. If it's not you can get it retipped and improved with a stereohedron.If it's riding low read the thread "cure for a collapsed stylus" the WD40 does work
 
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RickeyM said:
no sticker or other markings.
Click to expand...

Then it's not a EEE maybe EE. The only difference between the 2 is that Stanton picked out
the best tested bodies for the EEE and engraved the test result # with matching written certificate
in it's box.
 
twiiii said:
The large S refers to the Stylus shape which is more advanced. S means Stereohedron. The shape is similar to a fine line profile by Ortofon as I remember. It wasn't as radical as Shures Microridge. During that period of time it seemed everyone had their own version. Especially when Quad LP's came along that demanded much better high frequency performance.
Click to expand...

This is a III, which was the last version, a .3 x .7 mil elliptical. The S and S-II were as you describe, StereoHedron and StereoHedron II.
 
That era of Stanton was very quirky as they were in a state of transition in everything they did. The early Plainview III examples I've seen were nude. Bonded were definitely Florida made. Quality control was best during the Plainview era, rarely saw any issues. Florida could range from excellent to not so good (stylus alignment on the cantilever critical)
 
KentTeffeteller said:
Yes, an elliptical stylus. 3/4-1 1/2 grams tracking force. .3 x .7 mil elliptical stylus. Add 1 gram tracking force if using the brush. To be exact, you own a Stanton 681 EEE III.
Click to expand...

The other day I just took a quick glance at the other side of the cart not looking at the other side of the stylus. Today upon closer inspection, mystery solved :banana: I removed the head-shell and examined the cart. On the other side of the stylus it says EEE lll and on the bottom there is a serial number :rockon:
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Now that that's settled, any tips on how the VTA should be set? Tail up/ tail down or flat?

I also have a Shure V-15 lll cart and a SAS VN5MR/Sapphire stylus for it, inbound. I'll be comparing the two. Should be interesting
 
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steven94 said:
If the stylus is good you got a keeper. If it's not you can get it retipped and improved with a stereohedron.If it's riding low read the thread "cure for a collapsed stylus" the WD40 does work
Click to expand...
Just noticed a slight dent in the stylus. Looks like a small dimple, just up from the tip. Not bent, just a dimple. Trash?
 
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Methinks the "dimple" is there from the cantilever manufacturing process. Misuse would put more than a dimple there...it'd be bent to hell.
 
t j said:
Just noticed a slight dent in the stylus. Looks like a small dimple, just up from the tip. Not bent, just a dimple. Trash?
Click to expand...
If you are referring to the small crimp in the metal stylus tube (not the cantilever itself), that is a patented part of the manufacturing process. It helps define the center of rotation of the elastomer bearing that supports the cantilever.
 
Charlie S said:
If you are referring to the small crimp in the metal stylus tube (not the cantilever itself), that is a patented part of the manufacturing process. It helps define the center of rotation of the elastomer bearing that supports the cantilever.
Click to expand...
The dent is between the tip and where it extends from the cart. Appx 1/8" from the tip and visible without removing the stylus.
 
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