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New Stylus or New Cart?

High_Noon

High_Noon

Active Member
I recently purchased a Technics SL-1300 in nice shape. Unfortunately, the stylus (3X) has gone missing. The cart is a Sure R25XT.

Would I be better off purchasing a new stylus such as the LP Gear Improved 3X stylus (for the high price of $55.00), a different stylus, or an entirely new cart? The Nagaoka MP-110 came highly recommended, but I'm really not sure which direction to take.

Budget is ~ $150.00 -$200.00, as I don't want to spend $1K+ on a MC cart at this time.

Any advice and/or recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

My 2-channel system:
Audio Research SP14, McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe Edition - upgraded, Sony 620ES II, Kenwood KT-7500, Kenwood KX-1060, Dual 1225, Technics SL-1300, Paradigm Compact Monitors, Klipsch Heresy
 
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That should be a nice TT. I once had a SL1400 MKII. I had Shure M95 and M97 carts on it, in 70's and 80's.
I've had LP Gear Vivid micro line stylii on M91 and M95 carts in recent time. Around $100 to $125 stylii. Sound nice. Tracking force around 1.25 grams.

IMO, That R25XT is a little too heavy tracking force at 2.5 to 3.0 grams. I think would add extra record wear, over other Shure carts above.

I have bigger brother Nagaoka MP200, elliptical boron cantilever cart. It's voiced similar to Grado Prestige carts. I little less bass. Not heard a MP110. Rumors say it's a good cart.

Klipsch are a little too forward or "in your face" for me. Guess I would pick a cart with tamed treble. Like Nagaoka, Grado. Not like most older Audio Technics carts, that can be tipped toward treble. Just my preference. Your preferences. speaker placement , room acoustics and music genre will effect what may sound good.
 
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High_Noon said:
Would I be better off purchasing a new stylus such as the LP Gear Improved 3X stylus (for the high price of $55.00), a different stylus, or an entirely new cart?
Click to expand...
The 3X stylus was the lower end of the series and meant for record changers. The 5X is a better fit for your Technics SL-1300.

There's a brand new original on ebay now for $79.00

www.ebay.com

Vintage Realistic/Shure R5x Replacement Stylus #42-2781,brand New | eBay

Vintage Realistic/Shure R5x Replacement Stylus #42-2781,brand New.
www.ebay.com
 
@Old Guy8: Thanks for the info and I'll take a look at the M91/95, though I'd like to hear from AK members who have tried the MP-110.

@malden: Thanks. If I decide to retain the R25XT, I'll definitely consider that 5X, then again I could get a new MP-110 for just a bit more.
 
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High_Noon said:
@malden: Thanks. If I decide to retain the R25XT, I'll definitely consider that 5X, then again I could get a new MP-110 for just a bit more.
Click to expand...
If you are not particularly into vintage cartridges, then a modern cartridge where you can easily find replacement styli is the way to go.
 
@malden: I did indeed have that exact thought. I recently got back into vinyl after a multi-decade absence and while I do appreciate vintage cartridges, I'm not compelled to go that route. Thanks.
 
SL-1600 owner here. I love the M95 also but I am a convert of the AT95xx line. Brand new and modern and available at a wide range of prices. VM95ML wins over M95ED/Jico IMO for tracking but sound is very close.
 
I think the R25XT is a nice cartridge. I'd take a look at replacement styli at thevoiceofmusic.com, turntableneedles.com and LPTunes/LPGear. I have no doubt something like a vivid line (LPGear) replacement would be available for that cartridge. I'd rather listen to something like that than the MP-110.
 
For your budget I'd go for an AT-VM95ML.
Especially when tracking gets difficult on a record, like with inner groove distortion, the MicroLine stylus is far superior to most other stylii (conical, bonded and nude ellipticals, shibata)
The difference is stunning.
Also the MicroLine stylus has superior stylus life. During it's stylus life, the sound degrades less than with the other stylus types.
 
If I could briefly divert thread:
So how is the AT-VM95ML voiced? Like how does it compare to AT440 MLA or MLB? How does the treble compare?
 
Old Guy8 said:
If I could briefly divert thread:
So how is the AT-VM95ML voiced? Like how does it compare to AT440 MLA or MLB? How does the treble compare?
Click to expand...
AT-440ML (any verson) is very sensitive to capacitance and loading and if it's wrong, treble will be way high giving the perception of brittle sound, lack of bass etc.

AT-VM95 series is much more tolerant of loading and capacitance, easier to get neutral sound with them.

The generator on the AT 440 series and AT-VM5xx series is better than the one in the VM-95 series, with greater separation of instruments.

However i'm quite happy with how the VM-95ML sounds, even the VM-95C sounds just fine and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
 
flavio81 said:
AT-440ML (any verson) is very sensitive to capacitance and loading and if it's wrong, treble will be way high giving the perception of brittle sound, lack of bass etc.

AT-VM95 series is much more tolerant of loading and capacitance, easier to get neutral sound with them.

The generator on the AT 440 series and AT-VM5xx series is better than the one in the VM-95 series, with greater separation of instruments.

However i'm quite happy with how the VM-95ML sounds, even the VM-95C sounds just fine and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
Click to expand...
Thank you.
 
I erred above - I have the AT95SH (Shibata) not the ML (microline). It is fabulous. Tracking is flawless on music and proven with the Shure test record.

The response is very neutral with a little more high end than the Shure. But not at all harsh. I recommend it highly especially at the very reasonable price.
 
@twiiii & @Sgt Shultz: Thanks, a MC cart is likely in my future, but not just yet, as that's more than I want to spend at the moment. I have read good things about the Denon MC carts, though.

So far, I am considering purchasing an AT-VM95ML or replacing the stylus on my Sure R25XT as my top two choices, though I don't know which stylus to get. Turntableneedles.com has this one for a seemingly reasonable price:

3X 5X 8X Stylus for Radio Shack R25xt Shure

Not sure if this is a good choice. I should probably speak to my tech and see what he recommends as far as a stylus for my R25XT is concerned.

@C Hart: Thanks. I'll look into the AT95SH, though I'd be concerned about the highs accentuation.
 
For 130.00 you can get a brand new ortofon red and replace the stylus with the blue when it wears out. Great bang for buck with that cart and I prefer it to the nag 110.
 
Check other threads and reviews for AT95 comments. Very flat. The M95 is a great cartridge also. You can’t go wrong with either one. For the M95 get a quality stylus like a Jico.

If you poke around you will find response graphs for both of them.
 
As has been mentioned, I enjoyed my Shures W the LP Gear Vivid Line stylii.
I had several & preferred the Vivid Line sound to the OEM stylii.
 
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