Signet TK7E cartridge

[ml69]

I've searched the TT forums and not sure I've come up with a definitive answer. I have a Signet TK7E cart and am wondering if I can upgrade to a Shibata stylus with this cart? Thanks in advance.
Mike

 

[AudioSoul]

Yes you can but it will cost you. I did the same thing, I purchased one from William Thakker on ebay. It is NOS Signet and cost $ 150.00. If you want to go a cheaper rout LPGear has a Audiotechnica equivalent for less money. I got a NOS Signet eliptical as a back up from Cronos in Canada for
$ 100.00......

 

[merrylander]

The Shibata stylus for that cart is the TKN3, it then becomes the TK7SU.

 

[ml69]

Thank you! I've been wanting to try this cartridge out...
Audiosoul - Were you happy or very happy with the NOS Signet from Thakker?
Thanks
Mike

 

[thedelihaus]

ML69,

I have a TK5Ea. Great cart. Needle is still good but I'd like to get a spare.

What were the options for the TK7E?

I'd like to know the options for the TK5Ea myself...

 

[ml69]

Deli- I'll look it up and PM you. I remember one site offered an "upgrade" path for different stylus' I was looking at, including the Signet - that's the info that would include your TK3ea.
Mike

 

[Nakdoc]

I thought TK3 was the cheapie, TK5 the elliptical, and TK7 the Shibata. We sold these for years and I'm 99% sure about this.

 

[AudioSoul]

Yes, I am very happy with the NOS stylus. It also has a tappered cantaliver
that I was'nt expecting, nice. I am very happy with sound of the TK7. I think it rivals any MM cart. out there it is that good.:thmbsp:

 

[merrylander]

The TK3E was the lowest, followed by the TK5E, followed by the TK7E (eliptical) and the TK7SU (Shibata) but both TK7 versions use the same body.

 

[ml69]

Here's what I found.
LP Gear has a list of replacement stylus for each Signet cart, with a decent explanation of stlyi characteristics. I think I'm going to try the one from LP Gear as it's $79 ish and will give me a budget look at this cartridge. They also have a special introduction price an an Audio Technica MM phono preamp that looks pretty interesting.
Turntables/Needles.com has Signet stylus listed under Audio Technica (view by body). The TKXX that Merrylander spoke looks to be on their site, aTKN22, I think and is Shibata -listed for the whole line of TKXX carts.
Garage Records also had replacements, but were not as well explained.

Mike