Stanton 681 EEE

jalexa3088 · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 6:51 pm Post subject: Stanton 681 EEE

What replacement stylus would you suggest for a Stanton 681 EEE? Thank you.

DaveyW · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:16 pm Post subject:

I'd personally avoid an aftermarket alternative and go for the D6800 EEE MKIII Stylus via KABUSA

Kabusa Stanton

Cheers
Dave

bucolicbuffalo · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:24 pm Post subject:

The stock stylus should be fine. Nice and warm. I think that's a D6800EEE.

If you can find one of the now rare stereohedron styli, grab them. KAB had a bunch of Pickering D11S, but they look like they are all sold now. I bought a number of those for myself.

(I see another poster beat me with the good info. Smile

Busy on the phone here.)

VinylIsTheBest · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:03 pm Post subject:

Here is a great replacement stylus for your Stanton. It's a JICO Shibata Stylus. This stylus would be a better replacement because of the Shibata shape instead of the original elliptical tip. It will track much better and will give you greater details.

http://www.export-japan.com/ma.....ts_id=1361

Regards.

flavio81 · contributor Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 517 Location: Lima

ssportclay · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:24 pm Post subject:

A shibata stylus will properly track and extract information from CD-4 recordings where a stereohedron stylus will not so in theory the shibata tip should be the better one for extracting high frequency detail. I bought a new Stanton 681EEE a couple years ago. I generally liked the sound and I especially liked it's magical sound stage. The problem with this unit is that it's stylus was a dog. It didn't track very well when new. It did smooth up after a very long break in period but it never did straighten itself out completely. I then purchased a generic shibata stylus from LPgear hoping for improvement. This stylus sounded better than the original stylus when it tracked and worse when it didn't. I never experienced a stylus that seemed so recording dependent. I finally gave up on this cartridge and moved on at least for the time being. I have also read in many cases where the original stereohedron stylus can be very good or very bad depending on luck of the draw. Tracking seems to remain the problem. I am very curious about the JICO shabata stylus but am a little apprehensive about spending more money on this cartridge.

flavio81 · contributor Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 517 Location: Lima

ssportclay · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:02 pm Post subject:

flavio81 · contributor Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 517 Location: Lima

ssportclay · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 3:33 pm Post subject:

Dualist701

I'm enjoying the sound of LP Gear's Shibata stylus on my Stanton 681, which apparently was originally a "EE" (silver ellipse):

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant.....D6800EEE2S

I use the Stanton _without_ the brush, at about 1.25 grams.

It may not track quite as well as my Shure V15-V, but I prefer the sound.

Some day I may try the JICO Super Analogue Stylus on my V15-V; supposedly betters the original needle.

Interesting web page:

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant.....SHVN5MRSAS

SAS is also available as a replacement stylus for the Shure M97xe.

ssportclay

flavio81 · contributor Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 517 Location: Lima

1200y3 · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:06 pm Post subject:

If you look at the Stanton web page they state te 681 EEE will accept three stylus sizes, their specs describe two different sizes so possibly their styli are "choosey" or discriminating. Stanton is reviewed as being an excellent tracker on the inside grooves. I would always recommend the original when the manufacterer still boasts about their quality (Stanton uses jewel quality diamonds.) That way you'll know the original design. Stanton was also using cone or tapered cantilevers, which are not always on affordable styli today.

ssportclay