Seeking help identifying a mystery black Stanton Phono Cartridge

[Ricktptman]

Sifting through the Internet has turned up one that looks identical but I can find no information or specifications for it. There is no model number, at least that I can find anywhere. The model number of the one I found on the net is 777ee/2. But just because it looks like it doesn't mean they're the same. The stylus is black (I replaced the stylus, and I think the old one said D78 (not D61-I found some notes from "back when") as is the cartridge body. I have it mounted on an old ADC headshell and it sounds, well...flat out terrific. Wide separation with excellent extension and very fine dynamics, both macro and micro. IIRC, when I mounted the cartridge (about six or seven years ago) I think there were patent numbers and maybe a serial number etched into the top of it, but not on the side like my 681eees. The Google machine isn't being super helpful on this one. If anyone has been on this (or a similar) search before, any assistance would be appreciated. TIA!

 

[gadget73]

A D78E stylus goes on the 785LZE cartridge. Some info about that

Stanton 785LZE CARTRIDGE

If its a D61, I think thats a Stanton 500 ?

if you can post pics that might help. Stanton had a lot of stylii but a much smaller number of generators. A couple of those are visually different enough from the others to make for a quick ID

 

[Ricktptman]

Might've been a D61, I'm not positive. I'm amazed that there's so little information about Stanton cartridges considering their historical legacy. It looks like this cartridge, except for the silver area on top where there are patent (but no model) numbers. Also, the bottom and front are not angled, but flat. Closer to 90 degrees or so. I'd post a pic, but I'm not close to it at the moment. Thanks for the information, though!

 

[saunadog]

That's a Stanton 600 body. Sounds like you might have a private label model.

If you can, show us a picture of the D78 stylus.

 

[gadget73]

yep, Stanton 600. Thats one of the more visually distinct models. The 500 is the other one that looks pretty different. The 680 and higher numbers are all pretty much the same physical package but in some cases very different working guts.

 

[Ricktptman]

Thanks to all of you for your help! Okay, I was wrong/misremembering. It only looks squarish with the stylus installed. It's angled on both axes and is a dead ringer for the cartridge pictured above. My stylus is a new (ostensibly aftermarket) replacement with no markings. I believe (if I have the right box attributed to the right stylus) that the new stylus is a 821-DEE.
So is it a "black" 681? That would explain a lot, as it sounds really nice.

 

[Ricktptman]

Do any of you Stantonphiles know anything about a cartridge model SPS/61? In my image search, a seller sent me an offer that looked fair, and I bought it. Maybe I got snookered, but it came with the original case/accessories. But I can't find anything out about it. I wish Mr. Steinhart would at least sell .pdfs of his book. That would go a long way towards demystifying a lot of this stuff!

 

[saunadog]

If it looks like the one in the image you posted, it's a 600 and not a 680/81 (pictured below). Most (all?) 600 bodies seem to be gold colored, but your numbering would indicate some sort of private label offering.



I found this online. It appears the SPS/61 is another iteration of the 600. So it's identical to the one you already own.

 

[saunadog]

IIRC, Richard Steinfeld (who wrote the Stanton / Pickering handbook you reference) said that he couldn't keep track of all the private label Stantons and Pickerings and didn't include them in his book.