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Please help identify my cartridge?

T

Tdi434

New Member
Hello everyone,

I hope someone can help me identify this cartridge there is a Pickering sticker on it but no model number anywhere, the original stylus I got it with is also in the pictures. Is it worth buying a better stylus for it or should I upgrade the whole cartridge? Any information or recommendations for replacement/upgrade would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance IMG_0837.jpeg
 

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I think you've got one of the xv15 series, and with a stereohedron stylus!

You would be very hard pressed to find a better stylus for that cartridge, and it's virtually impossible to find one of the originals anymore. Upgrade would cost hundreds, and it's more of a sideways move. In fact, if the stylus is bad, the best move might be to get that one retipped.
 
loudnoises said:
I think you've got one of the xv15 series, and with a stereohedron stylus!

You would be very hard pressed to find a better stylus for that cartridge, and it's virtually impossible to find one of the originals anymore. Upgrade would cost hundreds, and it's more of a sideways move. In fact, if the stylus is bad, the best move might be to get that one retipped.
Click to expand...
I was thinking it was a xv15 but I haven’t seen one in that color from the research I’ve done, the stylus in the photo is what came on it but unfortunately was damaged I found a replacement but it was not the stereohedron one I’ll have to look into getting it retipped.

I was wanting to upgrade my cartridge but I wasent sure if like the Ortofon red cartridge would compare to this Pickering or is there even no comparison?
 
I believe you can also choose from the stanton 680 series styli, though maybe it doesn't work that direction? They're virtually the same cart.
 
I've heard the Ortofon Red on several occasions, friends who came by them, usually on entry level Project turntables and without exception found them pretty difficult to listen to......strident and fatiguing is how I would characterize them. However, all ears hear a bit differently. I do know that the stylus is easily replaced with a better version, e.g. the Blue, which is the next step up, and those do sound a bit better but for the money, may want to check into getting it re-tipped as @loudnoises has mentioned. It would be interesting to hear what @cafe latte might have to say about it who does this type of work.....
 
Check the reviews on replacement Picketing styli as apparently they can be problematic and disappointing. It’s odd as well received Shure styli, but Pickering/Stanton not so much.
 
Andyman said:
Check the reviews on replacement Picketing styli as apparently they can be problematic and disappointing. It’s odd as well received Shure styli, but Pickering/Stanton not so much.
Click to expand...
One definite issue with the new stanton and Pickering replacements is the brush. It's rarely trimmed correctly anymore, and using it in it's uncut form prevents it from working.

But beyond that, yes, the suspensions reportedly do not seem to be the same. Ymmv.
 
Hey @Tdi434 , most likely it is XV15 but I have also seen XSV series (3000, 4000 or 5000 to be precise). They came in either brushed aluminum finish or black finish. Just by this photo and only label Pickering on the side it is hard to figure out exactly. But hey, no matter which cart/styli you have there you can be sure (if in good condition, microscope needed and if anal also electric properties checked) it is a really good cartridge! Hopefully it is a good fit with the TT and the arm but being installed it probably means someone thought it through (cart to table fit). Right? And the other photo is showing "d-II-s" (some say it is "d-11-s") which is, from my limited knowledge base, fit for bodies xv15 and Stantons 680/681 (not everything you throw at it fits but do the research and you will find which styli go with what cart and also between Pickering and Stanton carts).

And to address @Fishead insight on Ortofon 2M Red. As you said, on the entry levels tables and who knows how the setup is done (not all arms carries carts well, VTA, rake angle, VTF... all these thins must/should be done properly or it won't sing!) 2M Red was disappointing? I have both 2M Red snd Black. Difference is huge but Black is the top notch model. 2M Red OTOH is anything but bad! Trust me. Confirmed on two excellent decks. Ortofon makes some serious sh**t!
 
Tdi434 said:
(...) Is it worth buying a better stylus for it or should I upgrade the whole cartridge? (...)
Click to expand...

I'd suggest to take a closer look at your cartridge, 'cause to me it would look like the frontal spot welding point between the generator capsule and the mounting bracket has come loose, so that the generator capsule might not be correctly oriented anymore.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
Good eye, Manfred......would that be something that could be repaired? Still waiting on @cafe latte to chime in as he's probably seen this condition before.
 
Tdi434 said:
I was thinking it was a xv15 but I haven’t seen one in that color from the research I’ve done, the stylus in the photo is what came on it but unfortunately was damaged I found a replacement but it was not the stereohedron one I’ll have to look into getting it retipped.

I was wanting to upgrade my cartridge but I wasent sure if like the Ortofon red cartridge would compare to this Pickering or is there even no comparison?
Click to expand...
A retip is the only way really as what is available new won't sound like the originals.
Chris
 
loudnoises said:
One definite issue with the new stanton and Pickering replacements is the brush. It's rarely trimmed correctly anymore, and using it in it's uncut form prevents it from working.

But beyond that, yes, the suspensions reportedly do not seem to be the same. Ymmv.
Click to expand...
Yea I had that issue with the replacement cheap stylus I bought just to get the turntable going but it did not work with the brush that came on it I removed it and put the old one on and worked just fine
 
Krešo said:
Hey @Tdi434 , most likely it is XV15 but I have also seen XSV series (3000, 4000 or 5000 to be precise). They came in either brushed aluminum finish or black finish. Just by this photo and only label Pickering on the side it is hard to figure out exactly. But hey, no matter which cart/styli you have there you can be sure (if in good condition, microscope needed and if anal also electric properties checked) it is a really good cartridge! Hopefully it is a good fit with the TT and the arm but being installed it probably means someone thought it through (cart to table fit). Right? And the other photo is showing "d-II-s" (some say it is "d-11-s") which is, from my limited knowledge base, fit for bodies xv15 and Stantons 680/681 (not everything you throw at it fits but do the research and you will find which styli go with what cart and also between Pickering and Stanton carts).

And to address @Fishead insight on Ortofon 2M Red. As you said, on the entry levels tables and who knows how the setup is done (not all arms carries carts well, VTA, rake angle, VTF... all these thins must/should be done properly or it won't sing!) 2M Red was disappointing? I have both 2M Red snd Black. Difference is huge but Black is the top notch model. 2M Red OTOH is anything but bad! Trust me. Confirmed on two excellent decks. Ortofon makes some serious sh**t!
Click to expand...
Thank you for the info I bought the turntable with that cartridge on it the previous owner had it put on and mentioned it was hard to dial in but he was successful with it the turntable I have is a sansui SR-535 I’ve never played around with adjusting cartridges but wanted to play around with it a bit test out different carts and styluses just to see the differences, I’m kind of new to the world of vinyl I’ve always been a tape guy cassettes and RTR
 
Before you go too far down the path of a retip, I'd sure want to get Chris's (@cafe latte) opinion about what Manfred (@lini) pointed out regarding that welding point. Perhaps you might take additional pictures that show more of this potentially problematic area, even removing the cartridge to get better angles of it so Chris and others might have a look-see? It's not particularly useful as it is, so it's going to have to come off sooner or later anyhow. Although, for a conclusive assessment it might be necessary to just send it in and have him or a re-tipper of your choosing evaluate whether the cartridge is a good candidate for a re-tip.....but short of that, one might be able to get a better idea of the possibilities with more pics.
 
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