Stanton 681 EEE

[1200y3]

If you are going to be playing worn records, depending on the type of stylus that caused the wear, you simply have to playback with the size or shape that sounds the best. Or use an MR or SAS to be compatible with all types of wear. (I have no experience with a JICO SAS, but the conical or elliptical will have a bigger and fuller sound and stereo image.) Choosing a shape not previously used on the record will track untouched grooves. If you are considering the original, get a 4x7. You will notice that most manufacturers state thet their 3x7 is high polished, and that is because that size needs to be. Plan for one of each size to familiarize yourself with the reasons for different styli.

[flavio81]

I have no experience with a JICO SAS, but the conical or elliptical will have a bigger and fuller sound and stereo image.

This claim has no base. Moreover if we compare the shapes and the contact patch of the SAS with the elliptical and conical, everything indicates the opposite is true.

We have already discussed stylus shapes in the "conicals vs ellipticals thread"

[1200y3]

Different styli were designed for different reasons, not so much for personal reasons. I use all sizes regularly. I no longer use an MR until I can afford one, and before when I was an MR only user I knew very little about styli. Possibly because I used an MR for the last 20 years I can spot styli differences immediately, but the proper stylus will do the correct job and save alot of money. 4x7 is the best choice for used sibilant records, and the only alternative to an MR. 2x7s and 3x7s only work better on records in excellent shape. Conicals can have excellent imaging. I know because I use a line array speaker system.

I have never impressed a crowd with line contacts and MRs because what they have in clean groove accuracy they lose in warmth and fullness. Possibly the compromises the market forces on the manufacturers is the reason we don't get proper styli use.

So an MR is a great layman's cartridge, and shape theory does not mean it will handle the real world situations and that means breakage.

The discussion in the thread you refer to discusses nothing about custom sound. There are many technical reasons for using the different styli. If you want life from your vinyl you are going to have to understand sibilance. I can't highlight HF detail with a 4x7 like a 3x7, but a new record can sound incredible on a 3x7, while a poor one won't.

I AM NOT SAYING THEY ARE BETTER OR NOT. USE THE ONE THAT WORKS.

[ssportclay]

Since I bought most of my vinyl new in sealed packaging, virtually all of it is in pristine condition. Tracking should not be an issue regardless of the stylus type deployed. I am really more interested in the fine line contours because of their superior sound quality and I would also like to stay away from the newer Florida Stanton manufactured products due to their shaky quality control which has been fairly well documented across the internet. Since the New York Stanton Stereohedrons are really no longer available, this apparently leaves the JICO Shibata as potentially the only newly manufactured high quality replacement stylus for the 681 available in the world today. These should actually be better than the New York manufactured Stereohedrons given the reputation of their Shure replacements. What do others think?

[ssportclay]

Hi ssportclay,

I bought a lower spec. D71EE from KABUSA a little while ago and was very happy with it's condition and performance for a budget offering, including Azimuth which I've seen reported as an issue on some Stanton products.
I therefore suggest that their D6800 EEE MKIII is worth considering.
Does anyone have any recent personal experience of this stylus from KABUSA?
Also I believe if you were dissatisfied in any way, then Kabusa are likely to offer a replacement or refund.

KABUSA Stanton

This should be a worthy alternative to a Jico offering.

The Stanton 681 EEE MKIII I bought new a couple years ago has less than 150 hours on it which of course has a D6800 EEE MKIII 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical stylus. This is the stylus that sounded spitty for a very long time and mostly but not completely smoothed out. I don't really want another one of those ever again really. A stereohedron made by the original employees in New York before they all lost their jobs would probably be very good assuming the stylus isn't dried out and hardened through age. Kabusa use to send a lot of cartridges back to Stanton due to bad quality and Kevin always seems to be on the lookout for earlier Stanton New York production. The employees of the former company produced very high quality cartridges back then. I am wondering if the JICO stylus is a worthy alternative to the Florida Stanton offering.

[1200y3]

All .3x.7s sound spitty. The AT 120 is another example. I use one on records that are kind of muffled or weak. It is a live sounding stylus for a room full of people, or new records.

A .2x.7 is a finer sounding stylus, but fine means clean but weak, but it does have some detail.

The .4x.7 is a smooth, warm, and full bodied sounding stylus that sounds good on most records.

Sphericals have their merits, they aren't usually spitty, but on a good record the sound the most natural.

Stanton supplies .3x7., .4x.7, and a spherical for the 681 EEE. The .4x.7 is the one generally recommended as general purpose. The opinion of a Stanton owner and fan that uses one regularly would be important.

Regarding the JICO, I would want to be experienced with the originals before chosing a generic, but the nice thing about generics is you can out do the originals on the right albums, and get your own customized sound if you know how to modify them. For example, I don't want to cover my original stylus with damping materials (and the packing sponge in the case of a Finetone is good for gluing onto a stylus knob). Just realize that many complaints have been made about the fit of generic replacements including the JICO V15xMR. I call that "adjustability", and is one of the reasons I like generics.

[ssportclay]

OK thanks for the feedback re. the D6800 EEE Mk III ssportclay.

I am considering buying a Jico stylus for my Stanton 881s, partly to hear for myself their regarded offering and partly to keep the miles down on my genuine D81S II stylus.
Will let you know how I get on if I get round to it.

Thanks again.
Dave

That's a cool idea . I would offer to get the JICO Shabata for Stanton 681 but I am currently unemployed and I have had so much invested in my 681 with such unhappy results that I would not want to risk it. It seems that the Stanton stylus gods are very angry at me. Hopefully others are having better luck with the Florida Stantons. I cannot recommend them myself.

[RockNRollBen]

I have a Stanton 681 cart but it does not say "EEE" on it. what is the difference? Are the stylus replacements the same? I am not looking for a scratch type stylus, just for home lp playing.

[ssportclay]

I have a Stanton 681 cart but it does not say "EEE" on it. what is the difference? Are the stylus replacements the same? I am not looking for a scratch type stylus, just for home lp playing.

All Stanton 680 and 681 cartridge bodies are the some. All of the differences are in the stylus. The high quality of Stanton cartridges when they were managed by the Stanton family in Long Island New York is legendary. All of the elliptical and stereohedron tips manufactured in Long Island should be excellent assuming no age hardening damage exists. My personal experience with the Florida manufactured tips seems to suggest to look elsewhere. Complaints of Florida Stanton quality seems too common for comfort. I am also not happy with the generic shabita stylus I bought from LPgear whoever makes them. I would personally look at either an elliptical or shabita stylus manufactured by JICO in Japan. Their high quality of manufacturing replacement tips for Shure cartridges is becoming as legendary as Stanton when they were located in Long Island. Unfortunately, no one in this forum seems to have any personal experience with the replacement JICO Stantons. If you decide to go the JICO route, please report back and let us know. If the reports are excellent, hundreds of us may follow you like lemmings.

[RockNRollBen]

I went ahead and ordered a D71 EE for my 500 cartridge. Parts Express has stated to me that it is OEM but I don't know if it's from Florida or not...

[ssportclay]

I went ahead and ordered a D71 EE for my 500 cartridge. Parts Express has stated to me that it is OEM but I don't know if it's from Florida or not...

It is probably from Florida but the Stanton 500 may not have the same issues as the Stanton 681. Interestingly, JICO also offers an elliptical stylus for the Stanton 500. I don't recall any reports of anyone using one. They are kind of expensive. Who knows, they could be worth it.

[beatcomber]

My Stanton 681EEE-S Shibata stylus arrived from Jico yesterday!

First off, they sent it without including the stabilizing brush - grrrrr. A helpful poster on AudioKarma has graciously agreed to send me a spare.

Keep in mind that I have never heard a 681 with a vintage Stereohedron, or with any other stylus for that matter (I bought this cart on eBay without a stylus), so I can't evaluate it against any other styli.

I'm using this 681 on a stock Technics SL-1200MK2, with the tracking set to 1.25 grams and the VTA set so that the headshell is parallel with the surface of the record.

My immediate impression was that it was very crisp and precise, but somewhat 2D and a bit on the bright side. About half-way through the first side of the first LP, it suddenly began to open up. Soundstage noticeably deepened and it suddenly began to sound very punchy and dynamic, and the bass began to reveal itself more than it did at the beginning of the side. I've never experienced a new stylus bloom so quickly and so suddenly before!

Tracking is as good as anything I've heard, including the AT440MLa. No IGD too.

It sounds rather similar to my Denon DL-160, but is more punchy and dynamic, whereas the MM Denon is a bit more airy. Once the Jico breaks in more I will probably do a closer comparison.

So far I like the Jico Shibata, and am looking forward to seeing how the 681 sounds in a few weeks. I will report back as I become more familiar with it.

[beatcomber]

Incidentally, on AudioKarma we determined that the Jico and LPGear-branded 681 Shibatas have the same cantilever shape (and are different from a NY-made Stanton), and both are made in Japan. The conclusion is that they are both probably made by Jico (but the LPGear one is $30 cheaper).

[Stan man]

Hello all,
I purchased the shibata for the 881 and the hyper elliptical for the 681 from lpgear. Both were returned for replacement . I couldn't get the 681 to track at all. The 881 sounded wonderful , but didn't trace well , especially noticeable on vocal. It's been 5 days now and haven't heard back from them yet. I'll email them now.