• 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

Pioneer PL-55X Cartridge Question

Saint George

Saint George

New Member
I'm new to turntables (literally just bought one today, the PL-55X), but I've heard that certain cartridges sound better with different tonearms and that matching the right two can make a big difference in sound. Any suggestions specifically for the PL-55X? I've heard it's considered mid-weight. There's a 881S Stanton cartridge I could buy for it. It seems like that's a high quality one, but I don't know it would do well with the PL-55X's tonearm.
 
Register to hide this ad
I can't say the 881S and its D81S stylus, which tracks at a gram, is an ideal match for the PL-55X (which I don't own), but it's an excellent cartridge and becoming hard to find, so if you have the opportunity, grab it. This is a situation where you can't let the best be the enemy of the good. You can always add motion-damping to the 55X arm or move up to a turntable with a lighter arm someday. If you want to save the 881S for when that day comes, a good inexpensive starter cartridge would be the Ortofon Omega or the Audio-Technica AT95E. I'm sure there will be other suggestions.
 
Yes, definitely snag that cartridge, especially if the stylus is in good shape. You may get away with using it on the PL-55X IF (Dustamatic) brush is still present. And, if you don't, save it for when you have a turntable that will accommodate it.

The matching of turntable with cartridge (really tonearm with stylus) is a little arcane (and a lot debated) but it boils down to a matter of the degree of stylus damping, "compliance", versus tonearm mass. Basically a low mass tonearm requires a high compliance (soft) stylus suspension and a high mass tonearm needs a low compliance (firm) suspension.

John
 
Saint George said:
I'm new to turntables (literally just bought one today, the PL-55X), but I've heard that certain cartridges sound better with different tonearms and that matching the right two can make a big difference in sound. Any suggestions specifically for the PL-55X? I've heard it's considered mid-weight. There's a 881S Stanton cartridge I could buy for it. It seems like that's a high quality one, but I don't know it would do well with the PL-55X's tonearm.
Click to expand...

The Shure M97xE is an excellent cartridge and would be good match for your tone-arm. The stabilizing brush is a great equalizer.
http://www.shure.com/americas/products/phono/m97xe-audiophile-phono-cartridge
http://www.shure.com/americas/products/phono/m97xe-audiophile-phono-cartridge

If you decide to go with the Stanton, consider a JICO. I have about a dozen of their styli for my various Shure cartridges and they are one of the best after-market styli manufacturers I've found.

https://www.jico-stylus.com/index.php?cPath=89&sort=2a&page=1&osCsid=1ffml4svqa5u0dtgc6110fghl4
 
Last edited:
While I'll stipulate that the Shure is a decent cartridge, the Stanton, assuming the stylus is in good shape, is orders of magnitude better.

The appropriate JICO is here. A lower cost alternative is here.

John
 
@Saint George , the "best" cartridge may not be the best for your particular turntable. If you put a high compliance stylus on a mediocre tone-arm, you risk mistracking.
 
boreas said:
Yes, definitely snag that cartridge, especially if the stylus is in good shape. You may get away with using it on the PL-55X IF (Dustamatic) brush is still present. And, if you don't, save it for when you have a turntable that will accommodate it.

John
Click to expand...

How can I check if the brush is still present? The table looks like it's in mint condition, but I don't see anything that looks like a brush. Apologies for the ignorance.

malden said:
The Shure M97xE is an excellent cartridge and would be good match for your tone-arm. The stabilizing brush is a great equalizer...
Click to expand...

Thank you for the suggestions. I should add that currently, the turntable has an AT130E cartridge. Not sure how it compares.
 
The brush on the Stanton is not damped so I'm not sure how effective it would be.

Is this your first turntable?
 
Saint George said:
How can I check if the brush is still present? The table looks like it's in mint condition, but I don't see anything that looks like a brush. Apologies for the ignorance.
Click to expand...

The below photo shows the stylus both with and without the brush.

1020446-stanton-881s-moving-magnet-cartridge-with-one-stanton-d81e-stylus-and-3-extra-stanton-d81s-stylii.jpg



Thank you for the suggestions. I should add that currently, the turntable has an AT130E cartridge. Not sure how it compares.
Click to expand...

The AT130E is roughly comparable to the M97xE but not as good as the Stanton. It's going to be marginal with respect to compliance. The recommended tracking force is from 0.75g to 1.75g but it should work well on the PL-55X at the upper third of it's tracking force range (1.5 to 1.75g). I'm not acquainted with the AT130E on mid mass arms like yours but I have used the next lower cartridge from that series, the AT120E, on mid mass arms. It has a recommended tracking force which is slightly higher (0.9g to 1.9g) and it works well at about 1.75g.

John
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom