Some time ago I won a Sony PS-X500 headshell on Ebay for fairly short money and along with the headshell it included a vintage Stanton 681eee cartridge. From what I could tell the stylus was not the correct one for that cartridge, a #72 Stanton clear plastic stylus. I tried it out on a LP and it sounded like it might be worn out since the high frequencies were distorted. I just picked up a NOS OEM Stanton 681eee stylus and also an original Stanton 681eee walnut case with papers and accessories. Total cost for the cartridge, stylus and case about $90. I havn't had time to mount the cartridge on my Sony PS-X500 but from the sound of the questionable #72 Stanton stylus I'm looking forward to a positive listening experience. If any other AK members are useing this cartridge I'd like to hear their comments.
Stanton 681EEE
- Thread starter majick47
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Hi,
I still have a stanton 681eee Mk-II cartridge I boght in the very early 1990s but I haven'y been using it for quite a while. Mk-II has a stereohedron stylus - a very robust one. It's not a bad cartridge, a little bit heavy but tracks very well. Nice overall sound. On the downside it is more sensitive to picking up low frequency noise. The older version had an eliptical stylus which was not so good as stereohedron.
cheers,
Janusz
I still have a stanton 681eee Mk-II cartridge I boght in the very early 1990s but I haven'y been using it for quite a while. Mk-II has a stereohedron stylus - a very robust one. It's not a bad cartridge, a little bit heavy but tracks very well. Nice overall sound. On the downside it is more sensitive to picking up low frequency noise. The older version had an eliptical stylus which was not so good as stereohedron.
cheers,
Janusz
I also have a Sony PS-x500 with a Stanton 681EE cartridge and a 681EE Stylus. Just got the Sony PS last week and it came with a Shure cartridge and stylus that looked pretty worn. So I took the headshell off of my old sony tt, which has the exact headshell as the PS-500 tt. I also have a new replacement stylus 681EEE that I got off the bay about 2 months ago for about $30 that fits the 681EE cartridge. The difference in the two tt is unbelieveable, the PS-X500 sounds so much better than the Sony PS-T33. The 681EE was purchased back about 1980 and still performs well. Although it has not been in constant use. I've even traded out the 681EE with the 681EEE stylus and could not tell a difference, the 681EEE is brand new.
NoTransistors
Dual Turntables Super-Restorer
Even though I love my recently-discovered high-end Shure, I still find my old, well-used 681EEE warm, fuzzy, and very easy to listen to.
An old friend, to be certain.
It was a bargain in the '70s and if quality control exists with the new owners of Stanton, still a bargain. Also the stylus assembly is strong, but tracks well.
This cartridge seems to work well with a wider range of arms than the Shure. For example:
It sounds as great on the low-mass arm of the Dual 1229Q, as on the heavier arm of the 1219.
The Shure sounds thinner on the same lower-mass Q arm.
A very forgiving cartridge.
Matching arm mass to cartridge seems to actually be important enough to consider.
Seth
Forever Analog and Covered In Parrot Poop
An old friend, to be certain.
It was a bargain in the '70s and if quality control exists with the new owners of Stanton, still a bargain. Also the stylus assembly is strong, but tracks well.
This cartridge seems to work well with a wider range of arms than the Shure. For example:
It sounds as great on the low-mass arm of the Dual 1229Q, as on the heavier arm of the 1219.
The Shure sounds thinner on the same lower-mass Q arm.
A very forgiving cartridge.
Matching arm mass to cartridge seems to actually be important enough to consider.
Seth
Forever Analog and Covered In Parrot Poop
LarryYaremko
Member
I've had my Stanton 681 EEE since 1975, and am very pleased with its warm "moving iron" sound. It was originally marketed as a "calibration standard," with a flat frequency response, and was used by numerous FM stations--especially those that played classical music.
I've since gotten another one, from eBay, for use with my 2nd turntable. I have no plans to switch to any other cartridge.
I do recommend using only OEM Stanton stylii, not aftermarket ones. I get mine through Jerry Raskin's Needle Doctor. There is a shibata stylus available from LP Gear, from an aftermarket vendor, but I have always preferred to use the Original Manufacturer's stylus.
The 681 EEE represents the optimal trade-off between price and performance, at least to me. You've acquired an excellent cartridge. Good luck!
Stanton 681eee Cartridge
Another busy morning and still havn't mounted the cartridge. My D6800eee MKIII stylus is OEM Stanton NY, paid $45+ shipping BIN Ebay. Not sure if it's NOS or current mfg. All the paperwork indicated it was OEM Stanton (upstate NY) and not aftermarket. The price seemed ok since other sellers had it listed for $69+ shipping. Like some of the other responders I'm leaning more to the warm sound of the moving magnet and moving iron cartridges to go along with my 1980s "vintage" equipment. I'll be trying it out on my Sony PS-X500 biotracer TT, ADCOM 565 preamp, Yamaha MX-2000 amp (130x2) and JBL 4301b speakers.
Another busy morning and still havn't mounted the cartridge. My D6800eee MKIII stylus is OEM Stanton NY, paid $45+ shipping BIN Ebay. Not sure if it's NOS or current mfg. All the paperwork indicated it was OEM Stanton (upstate NY) and not aftermarket. The price seemed ok since other sellers had it listed for $69+ shipping. Like some of the other responders I'm leaning more to the warm sound of the moving magnet and moving iron cartridges to go along with my 1980s "vintage" equipment. I'll be trying it out on my Sony PS-X500 biotracer TT, ADCOM 565 preamp, Yamaha MX-2000 amp (130x2) and JBL 4301b speakers.
Garrard201
Well-Known Member
I had one and loved it! Sadly, I gave it away after calling Music Direct for a replacement stylus and they talked me into a Grado (which I hate). But I was young and stupid back in 2005! : ) I'll have to see if I can get it back; sounded great in my Technics SL-B2.
PeterFCassidy
Nikko+Apt-Holman = OMG!
681EEE: It Just Works
I've had two (one still at work here) and they've been tremendous performers and really do justice to orchestral literature. I've run those and two Stanton HiFi's and they've also give enormous value for the money, one of which is still at work in the parlor.
I've had two (one still at work here) and they've been tremendous performers and really do justice to orchestral literature. I've run those and two Stanton HiFi's and they've also give enormous value for the money, one of which is still at work in the parlor.
Artie
Super Member
No offence intended, but the Grado was worlds better.
This is one of those classic situations where we use the "pro" moniker to sell to the consumer. Stanton made cartridges for FM DJ's. These aren't folks known for their delicate touch. Stanton cartridges were known for their "battlefield" durability. The exact opposite of what a "home" user would want. The more "pro" a device was, the less suitable for audiophile consumption it was. FM had severe frequency response and dynamic range considerations. Thus . . . Stanton sounded "good".
For your basic "home" stereo . . . Stanton was ****. IMHO.
More to follow.
Artie
imready
it's good to be the king!
boy , i was reading all the "love"letters about the 681eee and was wondering what was wrong with me! i had one come in on a thorens 145 i purchased about 6 years ago. i tried that cartridge with the thorens , a yamaha yp-211, a dual 1229 and i think i even tried it on my sota. i tiried it with different ams and preamps, van alstien, nad, marantz and it always sounded thin and harsh to the point i couldn't listen to it. almost hard to believe it sounded harsh on the marantz and with tubes! i hate to be harsch,but i have to agree with artie. this falls into my popular cartridges that sound like crap, right up there with the shure 91ed.
Stanton 681eee Cartridge
Just looking for feedback until I can get the 681eee installed on my Sony PS-X500 and then I will listen to see if the cartridge matches these opinions. I guess you could say I'm a fan of pro audio gear owning a Denon DL103, Grace F9E and JBL 4301b and a couple of Yamaha pro amps and I'v been pleased with all of them.
Just looking for feedback until I can get the 681eee installed on my Sony PS-X500 and then I will listen to see if the cartridge matches these opinions. I guess you could say I'm a fan of pro audio gear owning a Denon DL103, Grace F9E and JBL 4301b and a couple of Yamaha pro amps and I'v been pleased with all of them.
NoTransistors
Dual Turntables Super-Restorer
Someone seems to have been baking in the Florida sun for a bit too long.
And, about those poor sheep...
Seth
Forever Analog and Covered In Parrot Poop
And, about those poor sheep...
Seth
Forever Analog and Covered In Parrot Poop
PeterFCassidy
Nikko+Apt-Holman = OMG!
Could be a mounting issue . . .
I took in an older turntable with some issues running a 681EEE and it sounded very good. Took the whole unit in for refit and repair of the auto-return mechanism and the tech reset the arm and cartridge while it was hospitalized and that really turned on the cartridge's potential. Apparently, the rake was not set optimally. Now my turntable set up protocol is much simplified. I carry it to a local stereo tech, choose a cartridge (often Stanton) and leave it to the experts. Makes all the difference and I feel like I am supporting a lost art.
I took in an older turntable with some issues running a 681EEE and it sounded very good. Took the whole unit in for refit and repair of the auto-return mechanism and the tech reset the arm and cartridge while it was hospitalized and that really turned on the cartridge's potential. Apparently, the rake was not set optimally. Now my turntable set up protocol is much simplified. I carry it to a local stereo tech, choose a cartridge (often Stanton) and leave it to the experts. Makes all the difference and I feel like I am supporting a lost art.
danj
modern primitive
For more than 30 years the 681EEE has been one of my favorite cartridges. I've never found it "thin" sounding and have always found it to be a superior tracker. I've tried newer cartridge designs and old Stanton more than holds its own.
I really like the Grado Prestige series but the Stanton tracks better than all of them.
I really like the Grado Prestige series but the Stanton tracks better than all of them.
PeterFCassidy
Nikko+Apt-Holman = OMG!
Stanton's Tracking Virtues
Had an AR XB with a late model Stanton HiFi cartridge that could play a pizza. Thing was incredible. Stuff that the DD couldn't handle without skipping the AR XB played beautifully and without a stumble. Just uncanny. Should check out some of my really warped stock to see how the AT440MLa handles them on the Technics 1200Mk2.
Had an AR XB with a late model Stanton HiFi cartridge that could play a pizza. Thing was incredible. Stuff that the DD couldn't handle without skipping the AR XB played beautifully and without a stumble. Just uncanny. Should check out some of my really warped stock to see how the AT440MLa handles them on the Technics 1200Mk2.
Stanton 681eee Cartridge
IMREADY my guess is your stylus is either worn out or damaged. With the equipment you have no way could that cartridge sound like that. Maybe it isn't the most detailed cartridge but I'v been disappointed with some fairly expenseve MC that were too bright and not well balanced. The 681eee with a new stylus should be an excellent match for my JBL 4301b speakers.
IMREADY my guess is your stylus is either worn out or damaged. With the equipment you have no way could that cartridge sound like that. Maybe it isn't the most detailed cartridge but I'v been disappointed with some fairly expenseve MC that were too bright and not well balanced. The 681eee with a new stylus should be an excellent match for my JBL 4301b speakers.