Which Cart or Carts to put new stylus on?

[lini]

(...) How would i know original needles that have been repackaged from the inferior 3rd party ones?

That would typically require decent pics and some knowledge - the latter referring to possible original-specific product codes and, especially in case of open box items even more imponrtantly, to knowing how the original needles should look like.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[Soloking55]

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

 

[KentTeffeteller]

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.

There's no third party styli as good as Pickering or Stanton's originals for the MI bodies. $150 won't get you a re-tip (double that is realistic price). . I hate posting this, as I loved the XV-15/681 EEE a lot.

 

[Numistrek09]

There's no third party styli as good as Pickering or Stanton's originals for the MI bodies. $150 won't get you a re-tip (double that is realistic price). . I hate posting this, as I loved the XV-15/681 EEE a lot.

I must admit, i have no idea what this cart is supposed to sound like. It's just been living in a plastic case as long as i've been alive. So to me, anything is better than silence.

 

[sound hound]

How would i know original needles that have been repackaged from the inferior 3rd party ones?

Sometimes the outside packaging will tell you. Depending on where you buy it, you can end up with a used or defective stylus that a buyer has put back in the package for the new stylus. The stylus itself usually has some sort of identifier on it when it is OEM.