Stanton 681?

[saunadog]

I'll add that there's probably a reason that there seems to be more threads on the Stanton 680/81 and their XV-15 Pickering twins than any other cartridge. That has to say something about how cherished it is. As cafe latte points out, there are many good new stylus options available, although many purists will still insist on using it with an original stereohedron to the exclusion of all others (not me).

I own some very nice original needles (including a D6800EEE-S and a Pickering 1800S (which of course can be used in either body) but I'm not missing too much when I compare them to some of my aftermarkets, including some Walco distributed parabolics (possibly made by Jico, but I'm really unsure). Point is, whether you go brand new or NOS, there are very nice sounding options. No reason to not put it to some use. I'm biased but I think every vinyl enthusiast needs to at least experience it once.

 

[saunadog]

I'll add that there's probably a reason that there seems to be more threads on the Stanton 680/81 and their XV-15 Pickering twins than any other cartridge. That has to say something about how cherished it is. As cafe latte points out, there are many good new stylus options available, although many purists will still insist on using it with an original stereohedron to the exclusion of all others (not me).

I own some very nice original needles (including a D6800EEE-S and a Pickering 1800S (which of course can be used in either body) but I'm not missing too much when I compare it to some of my aftermarkets, including some Walco distributed parabolics (possibly made by Jico, but I'm really unsure). Point is, whether you go brand new or NOS, there are very nice sounding options.

Brilliant. I was looking for a similar chart in the "saved images" on my computer but couldn't find one. I'm in the habit or saving these things for future reference whenever someone attaches this type of image. Added to my library

 

[Taketheflame]

View attachment 2222799

Thank you! Looks like it's indeed a conical/a 681A that I have.

See if you can get a closer image of the cantilever which may help. It looks old enough to be USA and the brush look nice and soft so my guess is USA, see if tip is nude (loupe will help) if so you have a win, just hope it is not worn, even if it is you can get it retipped.
Chris

I don't have very good magnification options, but I'm happy to upload a closer phone pic if you think it will be good enough?

How would I tell if it's a US made stylus assembly vs. a later outsourced variant? As far as I know, the stylus is 30+ years old. I was told it was last used that long ago anyway.

 

[ear4audio]

How would I tell if it's a US made stylus assembly vs. a later outsourced variant? As far as I know, the stylus is 30+ years old. I was told it was last used that long ago anyway.

Generic after-market styli will not have "Stanton" printed on the styus grip. Only genuine Stantons can have "Stanton" printed on the grip.

 

[saunadog]

The only thing to distinguish would be if it was manufactured in Plainview, New York or later on in Florida after they moved locations. Either way, made in the good ol' USA!

 

[Bob in WI]

681EEE w vivid line stylus.

Its quite nice. I had multiple Shures with better stylii (SAS & such) & they are gone. The Stanton stays.
Also have 2M Black which is nice but is in a completely different price bracket.

I enjoyed the Black more when it was newer.
It doesn't get the play time it used to.
The Stanton is on the table now so I guess that says something........

 

[t4t3r]

I have a 681EEE that came on a technics table I picked up a couple weeks ago. The owner gave me a couple extra styli as well and I threw on one of those that appears to be brand new in lieu of the black “standard” stylus which appears to be the first elliptical listed in the table on the previous page. Can anyone tell me what I have? The black one was pretty filthy by the previous owner but sounds like it would be worth getting retipped? I blew out the exposure a little on the photo so the writing would be more legible.

 

[saunadog]

No writing on the opposite side of the grip? It might be a D6800EL. Just my guess, I'll let others chime in.

 

[t4t3r]

No writing on the opposite side of the grip? It might be a D6800EL. Just my guess, I'll let others chime in.

Yes the white stylus has D6800EL on the opposite side, sorry. I don’t see that listed on the table so wasn’t sure if that was even meant for use with a 681EEE cart. But the black stylus sitting on the stand below, I assume that’s the correct D6800EEE elliptical?

 

[saunadog]

Yes the white stylus has D6800EL on the opposite side, sorry. I don’t see that listed on the table so wasn’t sure if that was even meant for use with a 681EEE cart. But the black stylus sitting on the stand below, I assume that’s the correct D6800EEE elliptical?

The D6800EL would have come with the 680EL cartridge. Just another variation, a heavier tracking "rugged" stylus that would have been an option for DJs or home users who might have a turntable with a heavier arm (the higher 2-5 gram tracking force would be a better match for such an arm or application). Hence the designation "disco series".

As ear4audio pointed out above, the markings would indicate that the D6800EEE is original. Not quite up to a stereohedron stylus, but a very nice nude elliptical. Doesn't show on this chart though.

 

[E.Man]

Just received a TT by courier that should have a 681EEE on board, but with a bent cantilever.
Started unpacking tonight and found the original Stanton box with factory test ticket and retail purchase note. Unpacking to continue.

Last time I dealt with one of these was a Pickering XV 15 that I put a totl Jico on. The diamond disappeard one day. Guess I'll be shopping for a stylus for this 681.

 

[Studio_D]

I snagged a NOS D680 from eBay a few months back. It's not nude but still sounds fantastic, better than any of the aftermarket styli I had tried. I'll admit I haven't heard a newer Swiss nude on it but I'm very happy with the sound from the D680, so I'm sticking with that until it's worn.

 

[jbjsr]

Agree the D680 is a nice stylus. The Pickering XV15 OEM and aftermarket styli of course fit as well. I have an early flat ears gold XV15 with a Stanton D680, Pickering D625 and D400. Here is the Pickering chart for reference.

 

[ear4audio]

All the 681 variants. The internal electronics (pole pieces, coils and internal magnets) are the same; the only difference is the shape of the stylus tip.






The last 681EEE model came from the Florida company.
It was labeled as the 681EEE MK III. "Professinal Cartridges for DJ Applications". .3 x .7 mil elliptical with a heavy duty cantilever.

 

[E.Man]

Just received a TT by courier that should have a 681EEE on board, but with a bent cantilever.
Started unpacking tonight and found the original Stanton box with factory test ticket and retail purchase note. Unpacking to continue.

Last time I dealt with one of these was a Pickering XV 15 that I put a totl Jico on. The diamond disappeard one day. Guess I'll be shopping for a stylus for this 681.

Not just a bent cantilever, but crimped as well. Definitely stuffed. The table is old and mint so I don't know what happened here. Someone didn't know what they were doing maybe?

It will be up against Shure M91ED with High Track stylus and Denon DL110.
Shopping search yet to start. Links happily accepted.
(Allowed here I hope)..

 

[Tim D]

Not just a bent cantilever, but crimped as well. Definitely stuffed. The table is old and mint so I don't know what happened here. Someone didn't know what they were doing maybe?

It will be up against Shure M91ED with High Track stylus and Denon DL110.
Shopping search yet to start. Links happily accepted.
(Allowed here I hope)..

You just listed my 3 favorite carts. GLWTS

 

[Buanadha]

Not just a bent cantilever, but crimped as well. Definitely stuffed. The table is old and mint so I don't know what happened here. Someone didn't know what they were doing maybe?

It will be up against Shure M91ED with High Track stylus and Denon DL110.
Shopping search yet to start. Links happily accepted.
(Allowed here I hope)..

Currently running 2 of them -- Stanton 681 (multiple variants) and Shure M91ED on two different turntables. I'm still sorting through which styluses I like best for the Stantons though, but haven't spent the cash to try the JICO ones yet.

https://www.lpgear.com/product/STNSL737E.html
and this
https://www.lpgear.com/product/STAD0073S.html

both sound very good, but technically for the L737 (p-mount version). Vivid line one came with the brush, though so I wondered if it was the same as this :

https://www.lpgear.com/product/STNS681EEES.html

FWIW, I've used both of them on a 737 and on a 680

 

[soundmig]

Currently running 2 of them -- Stanton 681 (multiple variants) and Shure M91ED on two different turntables. I'm still sorting through which styluses I like best for the Stantons though, but haven't spent the cash to try the JICO ones yet.

https://www.lpgear.com/product/STNSL737E.html
and this
https://www.lpgear.com/product/STAD0073S.html

both sound very good, but technically for the L737 (p-mount version). Vivid line one came with the brush, though so I wondered if it was the same as this :

https://www.lpgear.com/product/STNS681EEES.html

FWIW, I've used both of them on a 737 and on a 680

I have the third one you have a link for - the 681EEES one ($119) and its good, but I prefer the "sound" of the original Stanton stylus EEE-S that came with my cartridge (purchased used) as it is a touch "warmer" sounding and more "3D". I think the suspension on my original stylus is a bit "tired", so ..... not sure what to do moving forward as I'm not aware of anywhere to get a NOS stylus without spending a ton of money. Can the stylus suspension be rebuilt and stylus retipped?

 

[Coolhandjjl]

I have the third one you have a link for - the 681EEES one ($119) and its good, but I prefer the "sound" of the original Stanton stylus EEE-S that came with my cartridge (purchased used) as it is a touch "warmer" sounding and more "3D". I think the suspension on my original stylus is a bit "tired", so ..... not sure what to do moving forward as I'm not aware of anywhere to get a NOS stylus without spending a ton of money. Can the stylus suspension be rebuilt and stylus retipped?

The HE retip (hyper-elliptical) is almost an S. There’s a 681EEE with an HE retip on eBay right now

 

[E.Man]

Currently running 2 of them -- Stanton 681 (multiple variants) and Shure M91ED on two different turntables. I'm still sorting through which styluses I like best for the Stantons though, but haven't spent the cash to try the JICO ones yet.

https://www.lpgear.com/product/STNSL737E.html
and this
https://www.lpgear.com/product/STAD0073S.html

both sound very good, but technically for the L737 (p-mount version). Vivid line one came with the brush, though so I wondered if it was the same as this :

https://www.lpgear.com/product/STNS681EEES.html

FWIW, I've used both of them on a 737 and on a 680

The vivid line has good reviews so stands out for me at the moment.
Not wanting to go too crazy when I'm not sure where I'm headed with the setup long term.
It deserves to be functional in some fashion though.