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Replacement Cartridge

J

JackJM

New Member
I have a MCS (JC Penny) turntable model 683-2256P. The last time I purchased a replacement cartridge had to be about 10 years ago. I bought a Shure RXP3 at Radio Shack. I have noticed that this particular cartridge is no longer around.

In my searches, I have found the Audio-Technica AT92ECD, AT311Ep, and AT3482P.

What do you folks recommend? I plan to listen to my old vinyl and digitize the albums.

Thanks.
 
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The original needle is still available for the Shure from online vendors, and there is a great selection of aftermarket needles as well. The cartridge is actually quite good and it only depends on what you'd be willing to spend on a stylus. All the ATs you mentioned are pretty good too. Do you have a budget in mind? $20, $50, $100?
 
You can just replace the stylus on your RXP3 very easily. The RXP3 was sold by Radio Shack and is a re-badged Shure M104E. The replacement stylus is model number N104E and is still available online from a few vendors. However, JICO manufactures excellent performing replacements. These can be purchased directly from JICO or other online vendors. Just do a search for "Shure N104E" or "JICO Shure N104E". There is one vendor on eBay that I have dealt with that offers a JICO-made N104E here (no affiliation):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TURNTABLE-S...rd_Player_Turntable_Parts&hash=item2ed6e3a67c

The AT92E gets good reviews and I have one. However, I prefer the sound of the Shure cartridge. BUT - this is only a personal preference.

The RXP3 will also accept numerous other Shure replacement styli that offer different levels of performance. The N92E will fit, but is actually a step down in performance from the N104E. The N110E, N110HE (hyperelliptical), N111E, and N111HE. In fact the JICO N110 SAS is at the top of the range of performance. Hope this helps.

Dave
 
Thanks, folks. I have been out of this scene for a while and am a bit "rusty" when it comes to this stuff.

The three Audio-Technica catridges seemed to be priced online in the $30-$40 range. So, it seemed to make sense to buy the entirely new catridge rather than replace only the needle for $20+.
 
If you replace only the stylus, the installation will be simpler. Assuming it was properly aligned, replacing the stylus should only require minor adjustments. The bodies rarely go bad.
 
I wonder if the MCS (JC Penny) turntable model 683-2256P is a T4P-Pmount type turn table? :scratch2:
 
http://www.lptunes.com/Shure-N-104E-N104E-stylus-p/shn104e.htm

Above, a link to a
SHURE N-104E N104E NEEDLE STYLUS

"The Shure N-104E N104E needle stylus features a highly polished special bi-radial diamond with a .0002 x .0007 inch scanning radii..." (.2 x .7 mil)

I have one of these on an RXP-3. It sounds better than the .3 x .7 mil units I've tried that are marketed as replacements for the original .2 x .7 mil.
 
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