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Newb needs stylus advice - Pickering XV-15 on Marantz 6300

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Billy_O'Hill

New Member
First post here. I have a Marantz 6300 TT with a white Pickering XV-15 cartridge that needs a stylus. The XV-15 has what was once a DAT2 stylus, but I found it's missing the needle and cantilever, so I haven't tested the cartridge. What is a good stylus for this cartridge/arm? I've searched around AK, etc. and found that there are several grades of compatible stylii for the XV-15 (i.e. 200, 400, ...1200). I'm not sure which to try. Since the cartridge is untested and the TT won't be going into a really high end system, I don't want to sink much into a stylus yet, but I would like something decent.

I bought the TT years ago at a yard sale along with a Sansui receiver. I used the receiver, but stashed the TT in the basement and used a Technics SL-QD22 until the wife disassembled our system in a fit of furniture rearranging. I didn't even know what I had until I recently got the urge to set up my old system again and found it and a yard sale Dual 1254 downstairs. I was pleased to learn the current value of 6300s on eBay, but I realize they aren't considered TOL.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.
 
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Your Pickering XV 15 is exactly the same as Stanton 680. I had one years ago.

Search stylus for the Stanton for more results. I think there's a range available.
Searching for Stanton 680 will also give opinions on current available stylus.
 
Big things to know. No generic styli for this cartridge is as good as original. And originals (especially light tracking, nicer ellipticals and StereoHedron) are virtually extinct. Jico is presently the best generics in terms of consistency. The new nude ellipticals are well thought of by those I respect, hope to get one soon to try.
 
A DAT2 was an incorrect stylus for your cartridge. A DAT2 would be for a Pickering V15. I have to agree with Kent that JICO styli have an enviable record of quality.
Here is a link showing a Swiss nude elliptical that would be a good match:
https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/cat...=MfgNameNeedles&MfgName=Pickering&Categories=
You would want the 4606-DEM which is the nude elliptical.

These are sourced from JICO as LPTunes is the authorized North American retailer for JICO. They would cost more if they had the word 'JICO' engraved on the cantilever housing. The comparable model to the above Swiss model is the XV-15/400E. The needles in the link have bonded tips. The Swiss 4606-DEM(in the above link only) has
a nude tip. Your choice.
https://lptunes.com/pages/search-results-page?q=pickering+xv-15
 
johnjhazel said:
The Voice of Music will probably restock the lighter tracking EVG PM4052DE that Gary sells as the 4606-DEX. They should be arriving today.
Click to expand...
Thanks a million. I have been looking at the "D1200" options - folks say they perform well. If the price remains the same I'll likely pull the trigger.

However, I was wondering if a low tracking force stylus would work well with the 6300 tonearm. I think it is a medium to high mass arm, but I don't know if that makes a difference. I'm still trying to wrap my head around tonearm-cartridge-stylus interplay.
 
Billy_O'Hill said:
Thanks a million. I have been looking at the "D1200" options - folks say they perform well. If the price remains the same I'll likely pull the trigger.

However, I was wondering if a low tracking force stylus would work well with the 6300 tonearm. I think it is a medium to high mass arm, but I don't know if that makes a difference. I'm still trying to wrap my head around tonearm-cartridge-stylus interplay.
Click to expand...

That's a good point. I would agree with Kent T. D400.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
Big things to know. No generic styli for this cartridge is as good as original. And originals (especially light tracking, nicer ellipticals and StereoHedron) are virtually extinct. Jico is presently the best generics in terms of consistency. The new nude ellipticals are well thought of by those I respect, hope to get one soon to try.
Click to expand...

Jico
 
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