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Stanton 681?

I've only played the 680/681's so far, but haven't tried the 881's from Stanton.

Could someone compare and contrast them a bit?

I'm thinking of setting up one of my turntables with an 881 (or variant thereof) and a 681 so that I can switch headshells depending on what I'm playing... maybe Pop/Jazz with the 681 and Classical for the 881, or something like that
 
I just deleted a thread discussing similar because people seemed to pile on.

I’ll answer, but I expect the same will pile on my answer here as well.

IMO, the 681, which is a MI cart, and the 881, which is MM, perform best with either NOS stylii or retips on the originals. To me, the 681 really excels in bringing out the best in classic rock and blues.

Here’s my disclaimer: YMMV
 
If you listen to mainly pop, jazz, and classical, I’d suggest keeping it simple and sticking with one cart, a Pickering XSV-3000 or Stanton 881S. Both come up for sale every now and then, but be prepared to pay, and make sure the stylus is either low hours, or get it retipped.
 
Coolhandjjl said:
I just deleted a thread discussing similar because people seemed to pile on.

I’ll answer, but I expect the same will pile on my answer here as well.

IMO, the 681, which is a MI cart, and the 881, which is MM, perform best with either NOS stylii or retips on the originals. To me, the 681 really excels in bringing out the best in classic rock and blues.

Here’s my disclaimer: YMMV
Click to expand...

I've no intention of turning this into a battle royale ;) I'm just curious about whether or not I should spend the money on an 881.

Obviously, there's a lot that goes into the end result, and, at least for now, I'm not going to go crazy trying to find NOS/retipped styluses for these carts. Over time, I'll probably try to get something retipped, but for now, it is most likely Vivid Line or JICO styluses (although the Black Diamonds are tempting me for the 681).

If you don't mind my asking, what needles were you running on the carts?
 
My 881S has a NOS D81SMKII on it, and I have some retipped D81S ones waiting in the wings.

My 681EEE is running a D6800 retip that is what Joseph calls a nude hyper-elliptical. I have some NOS D6800MKIIS ones in the wings for that one. I also have a complete NOS 681EEE with a D6800 on it for sale on eBay.

I’ve also a Pickering XV-15 with NOS D350 conical and NOS D625 elliptical stylii.
 
Coolhandjjl said:
If you listen to mainly pop, jazz, and classical, I’d suggest keeping it simple and sticking with one cart, a Pickering XSV-3000 or Stanton 881S. Both come up for sale every now and then, but be prepared to pay, and make sure the stylus is either low hours, or get it retipped.
Click to expand...

I think that's a good approach. I probably already have too many cartridges in the mix (tinkering can be fun, but also counterproductive!). The Stanton 680/681 variants are set up on 2 of my turntables now and they get a lot of use. Other than that, I have some Shure cartridges I've been experimenting with and trying to decide how much I want to spend on stylus upgrades for them (M91ED, V15 V-P, and M104e as well)

The 881 may make sense as the bulk of my album collection is Classical, and it's tempting to set up a headshell with one of these to see how I like it.
 
I have yet to read about anyone not liking the 881. I used to have more carts, even had two of those plexi headshell display cases. I’ll be selling at least one of those display cases for sure now.
 
Ok, I am joining this conversation, and I hope it is ok that I add the concept of Pickering XV-15, which I understand is the equivalent of the Stanton 681. My carts are pictured below, the one I am using with a late 70’s 615e stylus on it which was a replacement for the original one that came on the cart, and that has been inspected and is in good shape. I also have these two replacements to try, one from JICO and one from LP gear, both 1200 style. My question is does the advice regarding styli here in this thread hold true for the XV-15, as I think it should as they are equivalent?


One replacement


DABE90A2-C28F-47DF-A935-449F219B23DB.jpeg

Same replacement next to an old broken Grado I also have6CEEB67B-B177-4004-B7EE-BB4887B9FECA.jpeg

The one currently being used, set to 2.5 with brush down after arm being balanced.

7F4B417F-2709-4D2E-ACE9-B3138A079EA4.jpeg

The other replacement stylus, plus and extra XV-15 I also have.

DFD17118-2CAD-43E8-9A88-3713E81B0B2B.jpeg

One of these Pickering’s will likely go back on the Technics SL-1600 it came with (that Pickering is the one with the black headshell currently on the Kenwood table. I also have a SME 3309 II unimproved arm with a SME headshell I am going to use on the Kenny.
 
The stylus that came with the 680/681EEES is equivalent to a Pickering D1800S. I have yet to see one of those pop up for sale. The 680/681EEE stylus is equivalent to a Pickering D1200 and the stylus on 680/681EE to either the Pickering D625 Or D750. Not sure on that one. The 1200 and 750 had been around since the early 70’s and the 625 came out later in the mid 70’s. Again, not sure of the diff between the 625 and 750.

The Pickering D1800S and Stanton D6800EEES are stereohedron tips with MI cantilevers.

The Pickering D3000, D4000, D5000 and Stanton D81S and are stereohedron tips with MM cantilevers.

The 880/881, 880/881S, D81, and D81S terms are used interchangeably. IOW, the initial release had it labeled as 880/881 with a D81 stereohedron tip. Later the label changed to 880/881S with a D81S tip. Same MM cart, same stereohedron tip.

The MKIIS tips for the 680/681 and 880/881 carts came next, yet an even finer stereohedron tip.

And of course, genuine Stanton/Pickering MM stylii cannot be used in an MI body and vice-versa.

The Pickering D625 stylus is a nice elliptical, but not quite the top of the line.

I am a strong advocate for NOS or retipped originals. Those cantilevers are something special, haven’t been matched with anything new yet.

How was your D625 inspected?
 
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Coolhandjjl said:
The stylus that came with the 680/681EEES is equivalent to a Pickering D1800S. I have yet to see one of those pop up for sale. The 680/681EEE stylus is equivalent to a Pickering D1200 and the stylus on 680/681EE to the Pickering D625.

The Pickering D1800S and Stanton D6800EEES are stereohedron tips with MI cantilevers.

The Pickering D3000, D4000, D5000 and Stanton D81S and are stereohedron tips with MM cantilevers.

The 880/881, 880/881S, D81, and D81S terms are used interchangeably. IOW, the initial release had it labeled as 880/881 with a D81 stereohedron tip. Later the label changed to 880/881S with a D81S tip. Same MM cart, same stereohedron tip.

The MKIIS tips for the 680/681 and 880/881 carts came next, yet an even finer stereohedron tip.

And of course, genuine Stanton/Pickering MM stylii cannot be used in an MI body and vice-versa.

The Pickering D625 stylus is a nice elliptical, but not quite the top of the line.

I am a strong advocate for NOS or retipped originals. Those cantilevers are something special, haven’t been matched with anything new yet.

How was your D625 inspected?
Click to expand...
The tech that cleaned up and went through the Technics SL-1600 (which needed re-lubing and checking over) looked at it under the microscope.
 
Coolhandjjl said:
The stylus that came with the 680/681EEES is equivalent to a Pickering D1800S. I have yet to see one of those pop up for sale. The 680/681EEE stylus is equivalent to a Pickering D1200 and the stylus on 680/681EE to either the Pickering D625 Or D750. Not sure on that one. The 1200 and 750 had been around since the early 70’s and the 625 came out later in the mid 70’s. Again, not sure of the diff between the 625 and 750.

The Pickering D1800S and Stanton D6800EEES are stereohedron tips with MI cantilevers.

The Pickering D3000, D4000, D5000 and Stanton D81S and are stereohedron tips with MM cantilevers.

The 880/881, 880/881S, D81, and D81S terms are used interchangeably. IOW, the initial release had it labeled as 880/881 with a D81 stereohedron tip. Later the label changed to 880/881S with a D81S tip. Same MM cart, same stereohedron tip.

The MKIIS tips for the 680/681 and 880/881 carts came next, yet an even finer stereohedron tip.

And of course, genuine Stanton/Pickering MM stylii cannot be used in an MI body and vice-versa.

The Pickering D625 stylus is a nice elliptical, but not quite the top of the line.

I am a strong advocate for NOS or retipped originals. Those cantilevers are something special, haven’t been matched with anything new yet.

How was your D625 inspected?
Click to expand...
At one point, I was hoping to find a NOS D1200. If I could do so somewhat reasonably. Or get a re-tipped one, though I don’t know who is doing that now. I do have both a JICO and LP Gear Vivid Line versions. Though I am not quite sure the suspensions are quite the same. I worry about a really old NOS suspension though.
 
If it wasn’t examined by someone like a retipper with at least 200x magnification and with proper illumination that plants a sheen right on the contact points of the stylus, it isn’t an accurate evaluation. Sure, it’s possible your tech has such a rig and the knowledge to do such, you should ask.
 
Coolhandjjl said:
If it wasn’t examined by someone like a retipper with at least 200x magnification and with proper illumination that plants a sheen right on the contact points of the stylus, it isn’t an accurate evaluation. Sure, it’s possible your tech has such a rig and the knowledge to do such, you should ask.
Click to expand...
Well, that was a couple years ago anyway. Was thinking I would move on. Maybe try the new replacements I already have, and then get looking at a NOS or re-tipped something. Who is reputable for re-tipping now? Is suspension addressed as well?
 
sunvalleylaw said:
At one point, I was hoping to find a NOS D1200. If I could do so somewhat reasonably. Or get a re-tipped one, though I don’t know who is doing that now. I do have both a JICO and LP Gear Vivid Line versions. Though I am not quite sure the suspensions are quite the same. I worry about a really old NOS suspension though.
Click to expand...
The Stanton/Pickering suspensions seem to last thru the ages. I bought what was advertised as a NOS D1200 on the bay. After having it examined by a retipper, it was found that not only was it used, it was abused as the tip was much more heavily worn on the left side, an indication of no or not enlighten anti-skate. I had to file a claim to get a refund on that one as the seller would not take responsibility. I got my money back.
 
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sunvalleylaw said:
Well, that was a couple years ago anyway. Was thinking I would move on. Maybe try the new replacements I already have, and then get looking at a NOS or re-tipped something. Who is reputable for re-tipping now? Is suspension addressed as well?
Click to expand...
Those elliptical are good for around 500 hours.
 
Coolhandjjl said:
Those elliptical are good for around 500 hours.
Click to expand...
Yes. Although, though I talked to the son of the older couple that owned my Technics table, with that cart and nail on it before I bought it, and apparently they barely used it after this now 40 something kid was a little older (he had “broken the original needle”), I really have no idea of the hours on it. I am counting sides on a counter I have next to my table, but, that is on top of who knows what. And my tech is a really good general hi-fi tech, and does wonders with Nak decks, and other vintage stereo stuff. But he is more an electronics guy and not a re-tipper. So, . . . Given my goals moving forward with vinyl, including good recordings of my better record albums, thinking I want to know for sure I am getting all I can out of my MI cart/nails, and may be adding some moving coil or some other good cart to try out too. Just to see.
 
Just received another Stanton 680EL with D6800EL stylus cheap from the big auction site. I didn't have much hope for the stylus. It came dirty and with unknown use and hours on it. I'm playing it now and it sounds great! This is the second one that I've come into - same stylus and body. I'm a happy camper.

So, about those "Black Diamond" stylus's, I looked at MrStylus.com and with VAT and shipping overseas it jacks up the price quite a bit. Are there any sources for them in the good ole' USA?
 
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