johnjhazel
PhxJohn
The labels are old and plentiful. The tips are 0.3 x 0.7 and have been for a number of years. Anyway, the 4822-DEE is back in stock at reasonable prices with the reputable sellers.
Stanton 681eee Upgrade from D400
- Thread starter Zack Sainz
- Start date
The labels are old and plentiful. The tips are 0.3 x 0.7 and have been for a number of years. Anyway, the 4822-DEE is back in stock at reasonable prices with the reputable sellers.
Studio_D
Active Member
The bass drum becomes more like a splat than a clean impact. You can hear the bass distortion and the overall sound is just unsatisfying. The same stylus in my 881S cart sounds so good I leave it on the turntable most of the time. And the 681 cart sounds fantastic with a genuine Stanton D680 stylus in it so there's no problem with that cartridge itself. It just doesn't like that 4822-DEE stylus.
Ah, I see those listings now with the pictures of the back label saying they're 0.2 x 0.7. What do you mean the labels are old and plentiful? Do you mean the dealers are packaging the needles themselves using old labels they were sent by the distributor? I thought the needles were put into the packages at the factory and while some dealers remove and repackage them to make them look custom, the labels in those listings look generic not custom.
I also wondered if the auction site sellers might just be using old pictures they already had on file from their previous sales when the tips really were 0.2 x 0.7, and they never took pics of the latest labels.
johnjhazel
PhxJohn
The needles come from Switzerland and are packaged at Pfanstiehl in Rockford, IL. Thank you for the description of the sound. I think the labels probably still indicate 0.2 x 0.7 as the labels were produced by the thousands in Waukegan, IL.
Unless.....
It is about 6-10 years old, in which case it might be a true 2x7 bonded elliptical.
My 10-year old Pfanstiehl N97E styli are true bonded 2x7 ellipticals. They sound really good. The nudes are better. So I still have a NOS one.
Besides the nice treble extension, the well defined and tight, hard-hitting bass is what I like from the 4606-DEX stylus on the XV15. The D400 doesn’t quite match it. The internals of the XV15 and 681EEE are the same, so...
It is about 6-10 years old, in which case it might be a true 2x7 bonded elliptical.
My 10-year old Pfanstiehl N97E styli are true bonded 2x7 ellipticals. They sound really good. The nudes are better. So I still have a NOS one.
Besides the nice treble extension, the well defined and tight, hard-hitting bass is what I like from the 4606-DEX stylus on the XV15. The D400 doesn’t quite match it. The internals of the XV15 and 681EEE are the same, so...
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beat_truck
Addicted Member
I have an 822-DEE that claims to be a .2 elliptical. It is several years old, so it may or not be. Either way, it sounds excellent to my ears. I would definitely buy another if I needed it.
Zack Sainz
Active Member
Thanks all!
Here is a most mentioned list:
4606-DEX
Vividline
Genuine Stanton D680
822-DEE
So far it seems that the 4606-DEX is getting the most love.
Thanks again for all your help!
Here is a most mentioned list:
4606-DEX
Vividline
Genuine Stanton D680
822-DEE
So far it seems that the 4606-DEX is getting the most love.
Thanks again for all your help!
Zack Sainz
Active Member
I just ordered the 4606 DEX.
Hopefully there is a decent difference, if not I’ll move on to the next stylus!
I’ll let you all know what the differences are once the stylus arrives.
I might even do a sound demo and post it on YouTube! (I know YouTube compresses sound quite a bit, so if I get to this step I’ll post a public Dropbox with uncompressed sound files.)
Thanks so much for your help!
Hopefully there is a decent difference, if not I’ll move on to the next stylus!
I’ll let you all know what the differences are once the stylus arrives.
I might even do a sound demo and post it on YouTube! (I know YouTube compresses sound quite a bit, so if I get to this step I’ll post a public Dropbox with uncompressed sound files.)
Thanks so much for your help!
johnjhazel
PhxJohn
You are very welcome.
Zack Sainz
Active Member
Hey all! I just got the 4606-DEX in today.
I hooked everything up, set it to 1.45g (a little higher than recommended, I’m going to go to 1.75g next) and after a few plays, I noticed more sibilance than the D400, and overall more sibilance in the right ch.
I took the stylus off and had to figure out how to magnify it. My method, front element of a vintage film lens to the front element of my iPhone lens at x2, cropped in, and added sharpness.
Not the best photos, but the best I could do with my phone and another lens.
The only thing that worries me is the little bundle of metal shavings on the right side.
For comparison, I’ve uploaded my d400 stylus.
I hooked everything up, set it to 1.45g (a little higher than recommended, I’m going to go to 1.75g next) and after a few plays, I noticed more sibilance than the D400, and overall more sibilance in the right ch.
I took the stylus off and had to figure out how to magnify it. My method, front element of a vintage film lens to the front element of my iPhone lens at x2, cropped in, and added sharpness.
Not the best photos, but the best I could do with my phone and another lens.
The only thing that worries me is the little bundle of metal shavings on the right side.
For comparison, I’ve uploaded my d400 stylus.
Attachments
johnjhazel
PhxJohn
Your 4606-DEX has a cracked grip. One was returned to me like that. The guy supplied files for me to listen to. The sibilance was pronounced. He did not know why. I examined it upon return and noticed the cracked grip. It's like at the factory it was shoved together.
vwestlife
Super Member
I believe production of the nude elliptical Stanton/Pickering styli began in October 2020. Prior to then they were bonded.
If your D400 is original and in good shape, it'd be hard to improve upon its sound considerably and within a tight budget.
The original D625 is possibly a step-up which is the equivalent to D680 by Stanton.
Both are hard to find NOS.
Considering an easier option and at a low price, you could try another cartridge altogether.
An ATVM95E is such an option, or if you are looking for vintage an NOS Shure M92E.
They are both on par with a Stanton 680EE/Pickering XV15-625E soundwise.
The VM95E might actually be a bit better, depending on personal taste.
The original D625 is possibly a step-up which is the equivalent to D680 by Stanton.
Both are hard to find NOS.
Considering an easier option and at a low price, you could try another cartridge altogether.
An ATVM95E is such an option, or if you are looking for vintage an NOS Shure M92E.
They are both on par with a Stanton 680EE/Pickering XV15-625E soundwise.
The VM95E might actually be a bit better, depending on personal taste.
johnjhazel
PhxJohn
You should return it for one that is not defective. The good ones are really good. Your example looks like a really bad one with the cracked grip and sloppy punch through.
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Zack Sainz
Active Member
So far I do enjoy the Stanton, I’ve heard a few carts with this table and the Stanton has been my favorite, however, I haven’t listened to the the Shure, or AT, but I have heard good things.
Another option that I’m curious about is the Grado Gold with the 8MZ, that combo seems to be a fan fav with the AR XA.
I’ll keep trucking with the Stanton, Gary at VM is great and said that if I’m not satisfied with the stylus that I could send it back.
Zack Sainz
Active Member
Thanks!! I will go that route. Hopefully shipping a new one won’t take another 3 weeks.
That was an attempt at humor on my part.
I just tried a NOS Pickering D400 Stylus on my Pickering XV15. The D400 is in perfect condition. Tracks at 1.5 grams. But it’s NOT an improvement over my $35 bonded Pfanstiehl 4606-DEX Stylus, pre-Swiss Nude. The D400 lacks detail in the upper registers. Same dynamics and tight bass.
I haven’t tried the 4606-DEX Swiss nude.
But to say getting a stylus for the XV15 that will return its performance to original levels is too expensive, well, I think that’s false. Even the brush on my Pfanstiehl works perfectly.
I have an AT95E. It’s nowhere near as dynamic as the Stanton/Pickering cartridge. If you’re referring to the M92 p-mount, it’s not either, nor is the old standard mount M92.
johnjhazel
PhxJohn
The Stanton 680/681 and Pickering XV-15 are fine cartridges. The others mentioned sound good. But sounding different does not mean sounding better.
I don't know what is so special about the original D400. Isn't it a 0.4 x 0.7 ? Is it bonded or nude ? The Pfanstiehl 4822-DEE is a very good sounding stylus. If Pfanstiehl decides to release the 4822-DEEE which is the nude version, that may be even better. I am using a PM4212DE in my XV-15 and while my example of that model is no trackability champ, on 99% of my music records it sounds fantastic.
I don't know what is so special about the original D400. Isn't it a 0.4 x 0.7 ? Is it bonded or nude ? The Pfanstiehl 4822-DEE is a very good sounding stylus. If Pfanstiehl decides to release the 4822-DEEE which is the nude version, that may be even better. I am using a PM4212DE in my XV-15 and while my example of that model is no trackability champ, on 99% of my music records it sounds fantastic.
johnjhazel
PhxJohn
You will be happy with the Stanton and a good example of the 4606-DEX. I'll bet. LOL.