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Which Cart or Carts to put new stylus on?

Numistrek09

Numistrek09

Super Member
Its been awhile since i posted here, but i am still alive and kicking.

I've got some old carts i'm considering putting new styli on. My question for you guys is which one/ones would you do this for and what stylus would you use? Also, why that one/ones over any of the other carts, or what would you choose in current production instead.

Carts are as follows:

1. Realistic RXP3

2. Pickering XV 15

3. Ortofon FF XE15 MkII

4. Audio Technica AT 3600L (the only new kid in this list, currently without any stylus at all)

5. Audio Technica AT 88E
 
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Of the vintage cartridges you have I prefer the Pickering XV15. Stanton 680 / 681 styli fit the Pickering cartridge as well.

Jico is typically a good source for aftermarket styli depending on your budget target. Original styli of course are preferable. They come up for sale from time to time. Keep an eye out here on Bartertown, eBay, US Audio Mart, and the Voice of Music.

The Audio Technica AT3600L is a current model and styli are readily available for short $.
 
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What is your price range for a stylus? The 3600 is probably the only one you will find a new OEM stylus for.

Have you looked thru the old threads? For example,

R

Thread 'Shure RXP3 Replacement Stylus'

Just picked up a used Technics SL-Q3 which I am absolutely thrilled about! It does need a new stylus though. I know this is essentially the same cartridge as the M104E and thus can accept a wide range of styli.

Here are my current options:

Shure N-104E - $95
Jico N-104E - $56 (plus a months wait)
Jico N-110HE - $107 (plus a months wait)
Rivertone N97B - $20 (saw @boreas recommend this on another thread, if you read this, would you still recommend?)

I'm pretty new to the hobby and am upgrading from an AT LP60X. Is it worth it to get a nicer stylus or should I start lower and work...
 
New stylus? The AT. Very good options available.

The others are excellent but the aftermarket styli for them are not.
 
Numistrek09 said:
(...) I've got some old carts i'm considering putting new styli on. My question for you guys is which one/ones would you do this for and what stylus would you use? Also, why that one/ones over any of the other carts, or what would you choose in current production instead. (...)
Click to expand...

For possible suggestions you'd best mention, which turntables (or arm/drive combinations) you have - and it would also not harm to know your approximate location as well as what budget you'd have in mind.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
Pickering XV-15 was the equivalent of a very classic cartridge, the Stanton 681EEE "Calibration Standard."
The 681EEE was a high end broadcasting and studio cartridge.

Styli from the Stanton 680 and 681 series cartridges all fit in the XV-15.

Seek out a collector's original stylus in great condition. You'll be glad to hear it...
 
This is most of the XV-15 cartridges. The differences are the color of the body and the stylus. Most NOS styli are gone but if you find one this might tell you which one it is.

The 3000 cartridge is faded because it is a different type but was part of Pickering's line up back then.

IMG_1122.jpeg
 
The Ortofon might have lingering new styli avail at some vendors and there are aftermarket. The recent original replacement units have ability to be used across the VMS & F-FF lines. This pic shows the cartridge alignment slot openings Ortofon used to keep different styli from fitting the wrong cartridge body. They gave this idea up and made universal fit styli as these cartridges aged out of ‘currently available’ models and Ortofon still wanted to supply a stylus, now fewer models until only one remained. You can check your cartridge and any possible styli to verify the will fit the key built into the cartridge body.

IMG_1124.jpeg
 
sound hound said:
What is your price range for a stylus? The 3600 is probably the only one you will find a new OEM stylus for.

Have you looked thru the old threads? For example,

R

Thread 'Shure RXP3 Replacement Stylus'

Just picked up a used Technics SL-Q3 which I am absolutely thrilled about! It does need a new stylus though. I know this is essentially the same cartridge as the M104E and thus can accept a wide range of styli.

Here are my current options:

Shure N-104E - $95
Jico N-104E - $56 (plus a months wait)
Jico N-110HE - $107 (plus a months wait)
Rivertone N97B - $20 (saw @boreas recommend this on another thread, if you read this, would you still recommend?)

I'm pretty new to the hobby and am upgrading from an AT LP60X. Is it worth it to get a nicer stylus or should I start lower and work...
Click to expand...
Without knowing what is out there, i'm gonna say 150 or less.
 
lini said:
For possible suggestions you'd best mention, which turntables (or arm/drive combinations) you have - and it would also not harm to know your approximate location as well as what budget you'd have in mind.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
Click to expand...
US, and a Technics SL Q2 and JVC QL A2. As for budget, i dont really know what is out there, so i'm gonna say 150 or less.
 
I would recommend buying at least two styli. I like Pickering/Stanton but many people question whether third party styli are worth fiddling with. If you look at the other carts and look up prices for styli, you should be able to come up with some definite possibilities that won't break your bank. I think you need to try a few different possibilities to see what you like in your systems. Maybe invest in another headshell or two if your carts and not mounted so you can easily switch them to compare the sound.
 
sound hound said:
I would recommend buying at least two styli. I like Pickering/Stanton but many people question whether third party styli are worth fiddling with. If you look at the other carts and look up prices for styli, you should be able to come up with some definite possibilities that won't break your bank. I think you need to try a few different possibilities to see what you like in your systems. Maybe invest in another headshell or two if your carts and not mounted so you can easily switch them to compare the sound.
Click to expand...
The RXP3, the XV15 and Ortofon are all mounted. The two AT carts arnt. I would like to have three playing, one for each table and a spare. Thus why i asked which ones would the crowd pick, and what styli would they use. Or, what current production carts would they go with instead of these.
 
This crowd picks the XV-15 w/$120 replacement vivid line stylus
.......a brief pause for budget to recoup, then $54 VM95C

From your list, the XV is the standout & well worth a replacement stylus.
The others can work, but since we have no styli, I think the money is better spent elsewhere.
The VM95C sounds good & works well in a number of setups. Replacement conical stylus are $32.
Plus, once you get a VM95 body, there are a number of good styli options available today & in the far future.
 
Another vote for the Pickering with a Vivid Line Stylus from LP Gear. Works very well for me.
 
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