Chris
What I don't understand is why the only solution to repair an 881S is to replace only the diamond. That limits things too much, since as happened to me (and another reader here has gone through the same thing) healthy cantilevers are practically impossible to find. It seems that all hollow aluminum cantilevers have had walls that are too thin. Now, why not use another material (boron?) for the cantilever and put the best needle available at the moment. If you want MR, then why not? It would be an improvement over the original. I think that if I were to do an examination of the two elastomers of the needles that I have, they would be in good condition, even after so many years. Maybe they are not industrial elastomers, but natural rubber, which makes them very elastic and durable. You made the analogy with cars, I hate them, but I will go into that area. Are the suspension bushings of old cars better made of natural rubber or the current ones made of industrial synthetic compounds? For either of them, oil spilled from a leaking crankcase or other engine components always damages them, that's clear.
There are plenty of 881 with healthy cantilevers thry come up often on the Web.
Yes you can retip with boron but it is not advisable as all have the wrong rake angle due to the shape of the 881 cantilever.
The 881 cantilever was very short and very thin so it was already very light so there is no need to replace it with boron.
Many vintage carts had beautiful alloy cantilevers, the mc2000 was super then and a strong taper, replacing it would not achieve anything positive.
Micro ridge is a far better cut than either Shibata or Stereohedron as it will track complex highs in the inner grooves better. If the 881 was around today I am sure they would be using micro ridge.
I am very happy about the resurgence of vinyl, and there are some great carts being made, but few if any have the technology of old, long gone are the days of specially made elastomers, silk tie backs, lovely super thin walled and tapered cantilevers or hollow boron cantilevers. Even retippers can't buy these amazing cantilevers.
There is nothing wrong with those who want to use Jico, I have various Jico stylus, my EPC 205 also has one which sounds great, but it is not close to the original which is no surprise as the original has a beautiful hollow boron cantilever, the tieback and suspension are much better giving the original the better faster sound. The Jico does very well indeed, a good option if someone does not have an original stylus but is is fir sure a second place.
The 881, the original is sweeter sounding, more of a MC presentation. The Jico is harder edged, and a bit edgy, it gave me listening fatigue.
Again a good stylus but just not like the original.
Chris
