• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Pickering XV-15

I'm missing the black thingy ( rubber spacers ? ) seen in pic #1

My gold XV-15/D625 seen in pic #2

Do I need the missing black thingy parts to mount the Pickering correctly ?

Thanks
 

Attachments

  • 001.jpg
    001.jpg
    3.5 KB · Views: 59
  • 002.jpg
    002.jpg
    3.1 KB · Views: 41
Frank Sol said:
I'm missing the black thingy ( rubber spacers ? ) seen in pic #1

My gold XV-15/D625 seen in pic #2

Do I need the missing black thingy parts to mount the Pickering correctly ?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I've mounted XV15s and 680/681s with and without. I don't think they add much if anything beyond convenience but, since I don't actually know I'll often put a thin (1mm or so ) shim between the tabs on the cartridge and the headshell and nylon washers on the other side of the mount. Same with the V-15 or 500

John
 
The black spacer "thingy"s usually have threaded screw holes, allowing the cartridge to be mounted more easily/quickly. Probably unnecessary otherwise.
 
skriefal said:
The black spacer "thingy"s usually have threaded screw holes, allowing the cartridge to be mounted more easily/quickly. Probably unnecessary otherwise.
Click to expand...

Yes, that was the convenience I alluded to. Actually, when new, the "thingy" don't have threads. The mounting screws cut them when you first install the cartridge. That way it doesn't matter, at least initially, whether you're using metric or SAE hardware.

John
 
You only need the black isolators when mounting the cartridge to a grounded metal headshell to avoid ground loops.

Doug
 
What is the difference between gold and silver? Mine is silver.
attachment.php
 
Can't remember where I saw this, so don't quote me ...

Pickering was using an early version of the AMD quality control model, where all the CPUs come off the same line are then graded for performance. Dual core, quad ... whatever ... it all depends on how well the chip holds up to the testing.

Same with the Pickering ... The gray bodies met the standard, the silver improved on it, and the gold just kicked the standard's a$$ ... :music:

Also seems to me the gray bodies usually shipped with a spherical stylus, and the silver usually came with the lower number stylus, like the 400 and below. The golds all shipped with the 625E or higher. I <believe> the 750E and 1200E were special orders.

Not to say the gray and silver aren't killer cartridges. The standard was pretty high. The BIG differences with the XV15's performance is in the stylus itself. Any of the cartridges will run any of the needles - the higher the number the better. Or not. Some say the 625E was the easiest on the ears.

Something else ... once again, half the lies I tell you are not true ... but I did find some extra notes from back in the day. The silver cartridges tend to sound ... ida know ... fatter? Sweeter? The gold bodies tend to have lower output than an identical stylus in the silver body, but the highs are more defined. That's all about the QC on the winding machines when they came off the line. Slight differences in the moving iron assemblies (once again, a QC issue, not necessarily part of the plan) also accounted for differences in grading and output.
 
Last edited:
That's very interesting info, sKiZo. I have all the different colors - including a white one. I wonder what's up with that one? :D

FWIW, I can't hear any difference between any of the colors. Only the stylus seems to make a difference in the sound. :yes:
 
You mean you are unable to hear the fine nuances in differences in the vibration of the E string of a violin played by one of two violinists with a canker sore playing the Vivaldi Concerto for 2 Violins and Orchestra in D with the different colors?

Why, you must have problems with your hearing or your system is not resolving enough.

:D

Doug
 
So I just fund an XV-15 625E with a D625 stylus on it. It was tucked away in a box I forgot about from a Thorens I once had. I have yet to try it. Not even sure if I should bother.

I see people like this cart a lot. So what does it come close to in sound? AT? Ortofon?
 
iceman79 said:
So I just fund an XV-15 625E with a D625 stylus on it. It was tucked away in a box I forgot about from a Thorens I once had. I have yet to try it. Not even sure if I should bother.

I see people like this cart a lot. So what does it come close to in sound? AT? Ortofon?
Click to expand...

It's pretty close to a Stanton 680EE.:D

Why on earth not[/] try it? Won't cost you anything other than a little time to find out for yourself whether it something you like, something reading the opinions of others won't do.

John
 
boreas said:
It's pretty close to a Stanton 680EE.:D

Why on earth not[/] try it? Won't cost you anything other than a little time to find out for yourself whether it something you like, something reading the opinions of others won't do.

John
Click to expand...


Some people say the Stanton 680 and Pickering XV-15 are THE same body. They do take interchangeable stylii (this must be earlier in the thread). Has anybody tested them with identical stylii?

That the different colors of the Pickerings might have some significance is interesting. I have a white XV-15. I guess in a test of a 680 and XV15, both should be gold. ;)
 
illinoisteve said:
Some people say the Stanton 680 and Pickering XV-15 are THE same body.
Click to expand...

I'm one of those.

They do take interchangeable stylii (this must be earlier in the thread). Has anybody tested them with identical stylii?
Click to expand...

I've done the reverse, tried the Pickering and the corresponding Stanton Styli in the same Stanton bodies. I can't hear any difference at all.

That the different colors of the Pickerings might have some significance is interesting. I have a white XV-15. I guess in a test of a 680 and XV15, both should be gold. ;)
Click to expand...

The colors on the XV15 bodies (white, gray or gold) relate to the stylus that came with it. Stanton only ever did brushed stainless on the 680/681 body until later when they did some in black.

John
 
Last edited:
I was recently given a XV15. The plastic housing on the stylus is wider than the cartridge body. As a result the stylus can "spin" in the cartridge, creating azimuth problems. Of course, I haven't tried it, and won't until the stylus is replaced.

My question is this, is the stylus plastic housing normally wider than the cart body on the XV15? Or perhaps this is the wrong stylus?

My concern is the fact that the stylus can rotate on the cartridge. Does this mean the cartridge is damaged and I shouldn't waste money on a new stylus?
 
cgutz said:
I was recently given a XV15. The plastic housing on the stylus is wider than the cartridge body. As a result the stylus can "spin" in the cartridge, creating azimuth problems. Of course, I haven't tried it, and won't until the stylus is replaced.

My question is this, is the stylus plastic housing normally wider than the cart body on the XV15? Or perhaps this is the wrong stylus?

My concern is the fact that the stylus can rotate on the cartridge. Does this mean the cartridge is damaged and I shouldn't waste money on a new stylus?
Click to expand...

It shouldn't turn at all. What is printed if anything on the stylus itself?
 
It sounds like you have an earlier stylus meant for the regular V-15 cartridges instead of the narrower ones for the XV-15s.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom