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Stanton 881S or Sumiko Rainier for Pioneer PL-51a?

gcagora

gcagora

New Member
I just bought a Pioneer PL-51a turntable. It came with an old Stanton 881S cartridge. It has a little brush at the front of it.

Anyway, I have no idea how old the cartridge is, or what kind of shape it is in, but my research shows it is a pretty decent one, and it sounds okay. I am considering, though, putting on a new Sumiko Rainier. Not sure what to expect or really how to compare with actually buying and trying to install the new one. I'm considering the Rainier because it seems to get really good reviews within my budget of $150.

Has anybody ever compared those two?

The PL-51a is hooked up to a Pioneer SX-828, and I have a pair of ELAC Debut 2.0 b6.2 speakers.
 
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My son has a Rainier on a refurbished Pioneer PL-A35. It's a decent cart, but sounds a bit dark for my tastes. I put my AT-VM95SH on the same table, and we both preferred it quite a bit over the Rainier. In the $150 price range, I'd be strongly looking into the AT-VM95ML, or possibly find a new stylus for the Stanton....that's a very well regarded cart.
 
knotscott said:
My son has a Rainier on a refurbished Pioneer PL-A35. It's a decent cart, but sounds a bit dark for my tastes. I put my AT-VM95SH on the same table, and we both preferred it quite a bit over the Rainier. In the $150 price range, I'd be strongly looking into the AT-VM95ML, or possibly find a new stylus for the Stanton....that's a very well regarded cart.
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Thanks! Great information.
 
gcagora said:
Thanks. How do I know if/when the original stylus needs to be replaced? Short of replacing it to see if the new one sounds better?
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When a stylus is worn the high frequencies are distorted, has a sand paper sound quality. If you don't know the condition of a stylus you should always replace it. Groove damage can't be erased!
 
gcagora said:
I just bought a Pioneer PL-51a turntable. It came with an old Stanton 881S cartridge. It has a little brush at the front of it.

Anyway, I have no idea how old the cartridge is, or what kind of shape it is in, but my research shows it is a pretty decent one, and it sounds okay. I am considering, though, putting on a new Sumiko Rainier. Not sure what to expect or really how to compare with actually buying and trying to install the new one. I'm considering the Rainier because it seems to get really good reviews within my budget of $150.

Has anybody ever compared those two?

The PL-51a is hooked up to a Pioneer SX-828, and I have a pair of ELAC Debut 2.0 b6.2 speakers.
Click to expand...
Post a pic of the stylus on the 881 this is an amazing cart, getting it retipped if it is original stylus is the best new stylus you can give it. They can sound totally stunning.
Chris
 
Ilikevinyl said:
When a stylus is worn the high frequencies are distorted, has a sand paper sound quality. If you don't know the condition of a stylus you should always replace it. Groove damage can't be erased!
Click to expand...

Thanks!

I saw this link in another post: https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/cat...pe=MfgNameNeedles&MfgName=Stanton&Categories=

And a quick search led me to this: https://www.lpgear.com/product/STNS881S.html

In the other thread, VM seems well respected. I don't know why that stylus is so much cheaper than the one from LP Gear?
 
I've never heard the Sumiko but I have had an 881S for several years and I find it to be a great sounding cart to my ears, but not everyone's ears are the same. ;)
 
To echo some other comments, the 881S is one of the best ever, better than many that cost a helluva lot more. It was used by the top sound engineers to do quality-checks on pressings. I have one, and it might be older than yours, but sounds superb — but only after a very thorough stylus cleaning.

My advice: take the $150 you budgeted and put it towards a new stylus, or a retip, for the 881. I doubt any new cartridge for $150 will even come close.
 
bimasta said:
To echo some other comments, the 881S is one of the best ever, better than many that cost a helluva lot more. It was used by the top sound engineers to do quality-checks on pressings. I have one, and it might be older than yours, but sounds superb — but only after a very thorough stylus cleaning.

My advice: take the $150 you budgeted and put it towards a new stylus, or a retip, for the 881. I doubt any new cartridge for $150 will even come close.
Click to expand...

You guys all sold me! Thanks for the information and expertise!
 
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