Pickering XV-15 (150) stylus

[multirock]

Hello,

I had read a lot about the pickering xv series, and his Stanton brothers, all the stylus that fit on those cartridges, but I need some advice.

I bought a Pickering XV-15 (DCM 150) cartridge, and I need a new stylus for it.

After all the reading I'm between these two stylus from pickering UK:

D625 DJ
D625E

Both have elliptical stylus with the same radius, but has different specs. the DJ model is lower compliance (14 vs 17), and tracks at 2.5 +/- 1.5. The 625E tracks at 1.25 +/- 0.25, but you must add 1 gram more if you use the brush down. The DJ model doesn't have brush.
The frecuency response from the E model is 10-25khz and the DJ is 10-22 khz.
The channel separation from the E model is 35dB and the DJ is 30dB.

My doubt it's about the best match for my tonearm and if those specs makes a big difference (in sound quality) between the stylus.

The tonearm it's a UA-5045 from a JVC QL-5 TT. Seems to be a mid mass arm, that works good with mid compliance cartridges (around 14 to 17 cu measured @ 10Hz).

So, both must be a good match isn't it? Or the DJ model would be better? My experience told me that this tonearm works best with low cmpliance cartridges. So if a choose the E model it should work with the brush down.

So, which differences can I expect between the DJ model with the brush down and the 625E?
Which one would you choose?

Thanks a lot.

 

[multirock]

Many thanks for your time and information!
Glad that both sounds just as good.
But are you sure that both operate at the same VTF?

According pickering specs the Dj model tracks more than 1 gram above the E model. This worries me because the compliance and matching with my tonearm.

Best regards!

 

[multirock]

Many thanks for all you advices.
I found another option that could be a nice match. It's a vivid line stylus from LPgear.
Do you think it may work too?

http://www.lpgear.com/product/STAD6800EEES.html

 

[GerardG]

To the OP, needlestein is absolutely correct.

I too have both styli and I can't hear the difference. The good news is the DJ is much more available and can sometimes be found cheaper than the 625. The spec differences shouldn't be critical in your case and either will sound wonderful as these cartridges are very special with OEM styli.

Gerard

 

[GerardG]

While I've never tried the vivid line I have found the OEM to be better in every case. But the vivid does have many supporters. Your feelings may differ.

Gerard

 

[multirock]

Seems to be that the DJ model will be my choice.
Altough I read in another post from Mr. needlestein that this OEM styli it's also excelent:

http://www.turntableneedles.com/Pickering-D-DJ-Needle-625-DJ_p_1238.html

Do you know the differences between the DJ model from pickering UK and this from turntableneedles (also made by pickering). There are almost $80 of difference betweeen them.

Many thanks!

 

[GerardG]

The stylus you link in post #10 is, I believe, the same as the UK offering but less costly.

Gerard

 

[multirock]

That's a good news!

Thanks Gerard

 

[E.Man]

.......

An excellent alternative is the EVG 4606-DEX/PM4052DE, which is available very inexpensively from various sellers.

Thanks for that reference. I've just bought one from Caroles Needles who I have had good dealings with before.
Story:
I've had my Pickering xv-15 since it came with my first TT in the early 1980s with a 625. It went into hibernation for quite a while. When I revived the vinyl rig I thought "that doesn't sound too bad" but it did sound a little dull and slow at times so I sold the 625 and bought a JICO Shibata (Stanton). I went on to use MCs and this carefully sat ready to be used as a MI/MM stand in if needed. Well I decided I needed to test the system without all the MC/SUT gear so I reached for the XV-15. The diamond has gone...........just gone...........wha?......................while it was safely doing nothing. So I have one of those as a tester on the way.

 

[E.Man]

Tiny cat burglars!

....for tiny cat girlfriends ?