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Shopping for carts and styli shouldn't be this difficult

PROJECT 2501

PROJECT 2501

Active Member
Hi,
I think I'm in need of a new stylus and maybe a new cart. I'm not sure. But what I am sure about is the distorted vocals on my records especially the "s" sound. The vocals are so scratchy that I've given up on listening to anything other than electronic music without vocals.
My problem may be related to a misaligned cart but I dont have a protractor to align the cart at the moment.

Technics SL - 1200 mkii
Current cart Pickering 625-DJ
Current stylus Stanton D6800EL


If I were to purchase a new stylus and keep the cart, what would be your recommendation for a hifi quality stylus?

If I were to buy a whole new set up, cart and stylus, what would be your recommendation? 90% of the music that's played on my table is psychedelic electronica heavy with synthesizers drum machines.
I've been looking at the shire m97xe with dynamic stabilizer brush..
How would that fair on my table and with my music?

I'd prefer to go the cheaper route and only get a new stylus but will commit to acquiring an entirely new set up if the consensus points in that direction.

Thanks
 
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Check out the AT VM540ML. Sells for about $250. Excellent match for the Technics arm.
The ML stylus is a sibilance killer.
 
I'm curious to know if your current stylus has ever given you good performance, or if it has never sounded good to you. Your D6800EL stylus has a tracking force range of 2-5 grams. Have you tried it up near 5 grams to see if that helps?

I was a big fan of Stanton and Pickering cartridges back when they were still being made, but I have no experience with third-party styli for them. I did once try a new, old stock stylus, but it never tracked well. Stanton surmised that the rubber had simply hardened with age. LP Gear has a $35 stylus that might be worth a shot, though I believe it's a lighter-tracking stylus, not a DJ model. Perhaps someone else knows of current production styli for the Pickering that they're happy with.
https://www.lpgear.com/product/PICKSXV15625E.html
 
tubewade said:
PhxJohn Hazel just indicated that he installed a 4822-DEE and he thinks it sounds excellent. I'd take that suggestion. This stylus was also regularly recommended by the Stein of Needles.
@johnjhazel
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but I dont know who John hazel is.
And did he use that stylus in tandem with the cartridge that I have?
 
jrtrent said:
I'm curious to know if your current stylus has ever given you good performance, or if it has never sounded good to you. Your D6800EL stylus has a tracking force range of 2-5 grams. Have you tried it up near 5 grams to see if that helps?

I've tried just about every increment of weight between 2 and 5 grams and even went up to 6.5 out of pure frustration. It's been about a year since I last used the TT and I dont ever remember having a problem

I was a big fan of Stanton and Pickering cartridges back when they were still being made, but I have no experience with third-party styli for them. I did once try a new, old stock stylus, but it never tracked well. Stanton surmised that the rubber had simply hardened with age. LP Gear has a $35 stylus that might be worth a shot, though I believe it's a lighter-tracking stylus, not a DJ model. Perhaps someone else knows of current production styli for the Pickering that they're happy with.
https://www.lpgear.com/product/PICKSXV15625E.html
Click to expand...
 
PROJECT 2501 said:
I'm sorry but I dont know who John hazel is.
And did he use that stylus in tandem with the cartridge that I have?
Click to expand...

He is one of our own on this forum and I consider him knowledgeable and value his opinion. I put a call for him hoping he might come along and tell you more than I can. Yes, he did use the stylus on the same cartridge. Give him some time to see this thread and comment.
 
tubewade said:
He is one of our own on this forum and I consider him knowledgeable and value his opinion. I put a call for him hoping he might come along and tell you more than I can. Yes, he did use the stylus on the same cartridge. Give him some time to see this thread and comment.
Click to expand...

That was nice of you. Thank you
 
johnjhazel said:
I use the Pfansteihl 822-DEE in a Pickering XV-15 at 1.5 grams VTF. I never use any stylus over 3.0 grams and those would be 0.7 mil. And ancient such as those for the GE VR 1000.
Click to expand...

And keep in mind, PROJECT 2501, that the 625DJ cartridge that you are using is a Stanton 680, which is the same as the Pickering XV15, so it (the needle) will fit and work.
 
PROJECT 2501 said:
I've tried just about every increment of weight between 2 and 5 grams and even went up to 6.5 out of pure frustration. It's been about a year since I last used the TT and I dont ever remember having a problem
Click to expand...
My best guess is that it's simply age related trouble, then. Looks like you have some stylus recommendations from satisfied customers. I'd take a chance on one of them before changing cartridges.
 
jrtrent said:
My best guess is that it's simply age related trouble, then. Looks like you have some stylus recommendations from satisfied customers. I'd take a chance on one of them before changing cartridges.
Click to expand...

The rubber suspension can get crisp over the years.
 
Here is one. http://www.audioappraisal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/1210-Technics.pdf

Also, it might be easier to use the shortcut method of aligning the stylus tip to exactly 52mm from the back of the rubber gasket on the headshell. That is how Technics recommend doing it.

SFK0135-01-Overhang-Gauge.jpg
 
I did PM the OP. The Pfanstiehl 822-DEE is not a cheap stylus. List price is $53.95. EVG only sells versions that track at 2.0-3.0 grams for this model. Prices are going up and models are being dropped. Such as the N3D.
 
johnjhazel said:
I did PM the OP. The Pfanstiehl 822-DEE is not a cheap stylus. List price is $53.95. EVG only sells versions that track at 2.0-3.0 grams for this model. Prices are going up and models are being dropped. Such as the N3D.
Click to expand...

Gary, at The Voice of Music has the Pfanstiehl 822-DEE in stock for just a bit over half of that list price. He also still has the light tracking Japanese made EVG 822-DEE in stock for just a dollar more than the Pfanstiehl.
 
MCM_Fan said:
Gary, at The Voice of Music has the Pfanstiehl 822-DEE in stock for just a bit over half of that list price. He also still has the light tracking Japanese made EVG 822-DEE in stock for just a dollar more than the Pfanstiehl.
Click to expand...

Gary has great prices and inventory. He bought the last of the EVG JICO sourced. I am the supplier to his customers for needles for the GE VR 1000. Which is quite an honor. Gary is the best.
 
johnjhazel said:
Gary has great prices and inventory. He bought the last of the EVG JICO sourced. I am the supplier to his customers for needles for the GE VR 1000. Which is quite an honor. Gary is the best.
Click to expand...

I totally agree. He is always the first place I look when stylus shopping. If he has what I need, I order it without hesitation, because I know I'll always get exactly what I ordered at a fair price with prompt delivery and great pre and post (should I ever need it) sale support.
 
MCM_Fan said:
I totally agree. He is always the first place I look when stylus shopping. If he has what I need, I order it without hesitation, because I know I'll always get exactly what I ordered at a fair price with prompt delivery and great pre and post (should I ever need it) sale support.
Click to expand...

Gary would not sell Swiss needles if they were not a great product. Scott Webster at Pfanstiehl also deserves much respect as he keeps all models for which there is reasonable demand in production. Most Pfanstiehl mag styli come from Switzerland with the exception of the GE RPX and VR-II which are made in Rockford, IL along with needles for ceramic cartridges.
 
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