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Stylus for AT15SA

Redikilowatt

Redikilowatt

Audio Understudy
Subscriber
Need a new stylus for my AT15SA or perhaps can that idea and buy another cart w/stylus :dunno:

I've identified the stylus as 203-DEQ. Turntableneedles has replacement for $155.95 :no: Found one on da' bay for $39, but seller advised before shipping that they had erred and it wasn't a Shibata needle :tears: There are a couple of sellers on da' bay listing stylus for the cart, but they are aftermarket replacements that are diamond elliptical, not Shibata.

Any other suggested sources at a reasonable price (under $50)?

Or maybe it's time to move to another cart/stylus.:scratch2:

As always, thanks in advance,
Roger
 
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I don't think you will find that stylus for under $50.00 I know when a genuine one comes up on fleabay they go for a pretty go price. I was lucky and got a 14SA for 69.95 with free shipping. You could try JICO but I think there's would be more than 50
But ya never know
 
Hi Roger,

Yup, when you need to replace a Shibata, getting an original, genuine stylus is the only way. It would be very surprising if an aftermarket ever worked. They usually aren't Shibata at all.

I am leaning toward advising you to spring for the replacement from TT needles if that's the only place that has them because that is a really nice cartridge.

I soon have to make a similar decision with my Empire 4000 E/III to the tune of $169.99.

I'm sure others will chime in here and say I am crazy :^)

Doug
 
Doug G. said:
Hi Roger,

Yup, when you need to replace a Shibata, getting an original, genuine stylus is the only way. It would be very surprising if an aftermarket ever worked. They usually aren't Shibata at all.

I am leaning toward advising you to spring for the replacement from TT needles if that's the only place that has them because that is a really nice cartridge.

I soon have to make a similar decision with my Empire 4000 E/III to the tune of $169.99.

I'm sure others will chime in here and say I am crazy :^)

Doug
Click to expand...

I could be convinced to "go crazy" :D
I have no interest in the quad capabilities of the AT15SA, but if I ascertain the quality merits the cost I would consider $160. The cart came with an SL-1300 (non MKII) that it is in good shape. My experience with carts is limited to AT95E and equivalent and the 1300 will be superior to current TTs.
 
There are couple of on-line retailers that have the original Shibata replacement stylus for $100. I tried the Ortofon and Shure mentioned above, both very nice. But I'll stick with the AT-15SA. :)
 
The AT15sa is a great cartridge. I have two of them in great shape with one spare NOS stylus I bought a couple of years ago.
If you could find the original Shibata replacement stylus for around $100 I would go for it. $155.95 would makes me think twice about an original if I did not need it for Quad.
The JICO SAS stylus are getting rave reviews and the ones I bought for my Shure V15 Type III & IV were great. I would not be afraid to try the $117 JICO as a substitute to the NOS one for $155.95 if you don't want to spend the extra $$..
 
Thanks for ALL the suggestions :tresbon:

Onepixel
Could you post or PM the $117 online sources? I've only found Turntableneedles ($159.95) and several folks suggested delivery was slow.

Ilikevinyl
I've bookmarked the JICO link!

pbinpb57
I'm following up with an local AKer who purchased a couple of "Quest" cart/stylus for his Ortofon to spin a test.

Good karma back at 'cha,
Roger
 
Roger, LP Gear is the place to get what you need.
www.lpgear.com
You'll be able to buy an original AT Stylus there.

I have both the AT-15Sa, and the AT-20Sla. About four months ago, I bought a replacement from them, that will fit both the Cartridges I mention above, the ATN-20SS.

As far as I know, the "SS" designation stood for "Super Shibata", and while I cannot quickly find the specs on the Stylus size itself, I presume the SS Stylus is better than the stock AT replacement, which they also do sell at I believe $99, and the "SS" version also sports the better Beryllium Cantilever, versus the stock-standard Aluminum Cantilever.

There is also the ATN-15SS listed there, and probably is exactly identical to the ATN-20SS, and also has the Beryllium Cantilever.

The "SS" versions are another $10, bringing the price to $109 (that's what I paid for my ATN-20SS Stylus, and the ATN-15SS is the same $109)

Either SS version will fit, and should give better performace versus the stock stylus that originally came on your AT-15Sa Cartridge.

Don't monkey with the ebay folks, when you can get the real deal. This is a fantastic Cartridge, definitely resuscitate it! Mark
 
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pbinpb57 said:
Would the ATN12S or the ATS12S fit the AT15Sa body?
Click to expand...

I believe they do, but Howard here (Hakaplan) is usually the fella who will know precisely if they do, or not.
I know that if it is a physical fit, that generally, as one climbed the "AT Ladder", the Stylus' size usually got smaller. (and better)

With that being said, it would then be logical that the lesser Stylus would more than likely compromise the sonics of the more costly AT Cartridge. Mark
 
Whell I think is correct.
I think it was the AT-14, AT-15, and AT-20 models that could swap Stylus'. There might be others, as AT had so many different model numbers, and it is confusing to say the least. Mark
 
I was lucky enough to get an NOS 15Sa stylus on the Bay under the radar for $57. It sounds fantastic on my PL-L1000 (as you see above). For $109, I would probably go for the SS for the beryllium cantilever.
 
markd51 said:
. . . . I presume the SS Stylus is better than the stock AT replacement, which they also do sell at I believe $99, and the "SS" version also sports the better Beryllium Cantilever, versus the stock-standard Aluminum Cantilever.
Click to expand...

Beryllium sure sounds sexier than aluminum, but would you detail why it's a better cantilever?

Roger
 
:lurk:

Been mulling over the same question myself for my at20sla, I have been looking at the lpgear with beryllium. From what little research I have done the beryllium is stiffer than the aluminum and transfers the better detail.
 
bsujeep said:
:lurk:

Been mulling over the same question myself for my at20sla, I have been looking at the lpgear with beryllium. From what little research I have done the beryllium is stiffer than the aluminum and transfers the better detail.
Click to expand...

I think you hit the nail on the head, these are more exotic, modern day materials, which do the job better.

There are other materials, used for Cantilevers, such as Boron (solid, and hollow tube) Ruby, and even Diamond.
Mark
 
OK, I just ordered the genuine Audio Technica AT-15SS stylus from LP Gear for my AT-15Sa cartridge ($109.95).

I eagerly await its arrival. :yes:
 
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