They laughed until the DIY retips started to play

[mrow2]

I had run a recent thread on my AT 8008 repair, which is one of my better ones. This one got the original stylus bonded to a surrogate AT stylus holder, as far as I can tell the suspensions of these holders are the same. In this instance I'd trust an AT holder over an aftermarket one, but each case is different.



I presently believe in using two-part cement (Epoxy) and have several types. My method requires two or three applications spread over 24hrs. First application is just to join the sections and hold position only; subsequent application(s) are for increased strength and uniformity. I've reinserted diamonds into cantilevers twice (difficult) and joined Frankenstylus creations a number of times. Have not graduated to a MC yet, because I don't have any. Have tried the cactus spine once, it works and is useful when I have no way to join two tubes directly.

By the way, I have lost a few cantilevers and stylus bits on the garage floor. I've found all but one. Best way was to sweep the floor and look at the pile of dirt. The wayward piece is usually in it. Have found tiny screws and nuts this way too. I examine tips under the microscope for damage, have not seen any.
I had a favorite Shure M95ED that evidently rotted off from years of isopropyl cleaning. I managed to find it and resurrect it into something else (maybe a Shure-Realistic cartridge) eventually.

[Paladin]

At VE, we saw the cactus-concept and we built the first cactus cantilevers first!

Speaking of Soundsmith: cactus cantilevers are promoted as an important new discovery. Cactus cantilevers is the main feature in Soundsmith’s new top of the line Hyperion cartridges. Others are just starting to figure it out how good cactus thorns work.

From the Vinyl Anachronistic:

Thursday, October 20, 2011

“This year, however, he made a bold move by introducing a new cartridge, the Hyperion, that uses a cactus needle for a cantilever. “

“But Peter is not using cactus needles as the stylus, but as the cantilever. It turns out that it's an almost ideal solution since strong fibers run through the length of needle, adding to its rigidity. These fibers are also create spaces within the needle that are filled, over time, with a unique natural resin that excels at damping and controlling energy and resonances. Finally, these needles are naturally tapered, the ideal shape for a cantilever, something that is costly to do when it comes to traditional cantilever materials such as aluminum, ruby, boron and whatever else you have. As Peter told me, "We've been making phonograph needles for 80 years, but God has been making them for millions of years!”

“Peter extrapolates on this by saying, "All other cantilevers are synthesized--we GROW these!"

“The Hyperion is not cheap at $7000. But before you start complaining that cactus needles are cheap because they're simply collected in the desert, you should know that it takes an inordinate amount of time, effort and skill to attach a stylus tip to the end. Peter uses a thorough and painstaking procedure to determine if each needle is the perfect shape and structure for these cantilevers, and then precision forms them using a patent pending method. At any rate, the Hyperion is an extraordinary product, and I congratulate Peter on such a remarkable innovation.”
http://thevinylanachronist.blogspot.com ... ridge.html

“SoundSmith designer Peter Ledermann says that the key is to find a cantilever material that combines extreme stiffness, good self damping and lightness all in one, and none of those exotic materials can match the natural properties of a good old cactus needle.”
http://dvice.com/archives/2011/10/audiophile-phon.php

But I'm going to out on a limb and tell you about what is possibly the best cartridge I've heard. The Soundsmith Hyperion uses a cactus needle for a cantilever. Cactus needles were used as styli back in the old days on 78's, and they butchered many a record groove. As a cantilever, they offer superior vibration control and strength. Or, as Soundsmith proprietor Peter Ledermann told me at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, "We've been making phonograph needles for 80 years, and God has been making them for millions of years!" The Hyperion offers almost seamless perfection from top to bottom, and for some reason it reduces surface noise better than any other cartridge I've heard--including Koetsus. The Hyperion is $7000. But it represents revolutionary thinking that will probably trickle down into lest costly designs. It is the Cartridge of the Year, and perhaps the decade.
http://www.furious.com/perfect/vinyl83.html

And people still call me silly. I really do have a good ear and on good days I have two. It’s okay; I am moving a totally different direction. But now a cactus thorn is a justifiable tool.

I congratulate Soundsmith for having the savvy to use cactus. And nowadays we have some proud sounding “organic” cartridges. Maybe this is a future trend.

Cactus thorns are being taken seriously by important people so after two years can I change the thread title?

More about the Soundsmith Hyperion: http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&h ... 09&bih=791

[LPfan]

Will,

You should explore if you have "intelectual property rights" for the cactus thorn idea.

Regards,

[maco]

Will,

You should explore if you have "intelectual property rights" for the cactus thorn idea.

Regards,

.... Soundsmith's website mentions ' ...patent pending'

[natty_dredd]

Don't worry - it only says that the precision forming method is patent pending!

Maybe they're trying to patent using a nail-file as a new method or growing thorns into tiny moulds..

[bob704]

This whole thing is so inspirational, my understanding is that cacti mod only work with broken cantilever.I have shure V15-III and no stylus is there any way to try cacti mod in such situation.SAS replacement is easy solution but it cost!!!Any help

[Alec124c41]

The cactus repair requires the stylus end of the cantilever to be joined to the stub.
Ed Saunders has a reasonably priced replacement styluses, decent quality, but nor an SAS.
http://www.edsaunders.com/shurestylus.htm

Cheers,
Alec

[Dimal]

I can vouch for the quality of the Ed Saunders Styli...

Took Alex's excellent advice a few months back and bought a couple for my V15-III. After running in (with some additional helpful advice from "kaleigh101", the retailer of the Ed Saunders' Styli), I really can't pick the difference between my sole remaining VN35E and the Ed Saunders one.

Of course, there is the Jico SAS option, which is supposed to be terrific but it changes the character of the V15-III, but to all intents and purposes, takes the cartridge into another league so is probably worth the money. I'm in no hurry though... Still have one barely used VN35E and now two E.S. versions. Gonna take me a while to wear all of them out....

Mal.

[bob704]

Thanks for advice. I can start with Ed Sounders and leave cactus thing for next time.

[1200y3]

I would have to use the ES styli for a while before I can give them a grade, because the V15 styli are pricey. I modified my V15 V to accept the regular sized stylus tubes and it was worth it. I slipped the original VMR cartridge into the xMR body. (The V15 cartridge is very unique, and well worth it for any stylus.)

No matter what, the whole reason I got into the cactus cantilevers was to match the haze free sound of the beryllium stylus of my V15VMR, and the cactus beats it.

[vincitsemper]

Sorry for bringing this thread back from the dead, but is Mr Paladin still around and has anyone else cactused their stylus successfully?

Cheers,

Victor.

[cafe latte]

I am trying to get a supplier of cantilevers and stylus or even cantilevers with stylus fitted. So far I have a company in Japan but I want some other options but I have been too busy to chase it up more. I have removed and refitted cantilevers and stylus from cheap carts and it is hard but far from impossible. I have not tried the cactus technique but I cant see any reason why it would not work perfectly after my experiments.
Regards
Chris

[1200y3]

I just use generic styli. The actual stylus tips don't seem to matter as much as cantilever, compliance, and overall cartidge/stylus build quality. So in other words, try to keep as much of the original stylus as possible.

Although I backed up the idea, I prefer rebuilding Shure tips mostly, due to the ease of rebuilding. And I do find the cactus to be as clean as my V15s (VMR), but a V15 is not a Grado. But to get the 3rd dimension the of the Grado with my Shure (M92E!), I actually use a generic stylus (conical!?) with a crack cut into it, which reduces the amount of cantilever mass attached to the tip.

What type of stylus would Caffe Latte be working with? (Notice how I say "working with".

[cafe latte]

I just use generic styli. The actual stylus tips don't seem to matter as much as cantilever, compliance, and overall cartidge/stylus build quality. So in other words, try to keep as much of the original stylus as possible.

Although I backed up the idea, I prefer rebuilding Shure tips mostly, due to the ease of rebuilding. And I do find the cactus to be as clean as my V15s (VMR), but a V15 is not a Grado. But to get the 3rd dimension the of the Grado with my Shure (M92E!), I actually use a generic stylus (conical!?) with a crack cut into it, which reduces the amount of cantilever mass attached to the tip.

What type of stylus would Caffe Latte be working with? (Notice how I say "working with".

Just what I had, I found the easiest to work with was some pfanstiehl 4608-dex which actually not good quality at all as the cantilever can literally be just pulled out and put back. I have also some stanton d71ee which are a different story. The cantilever is held in with a tiny wire which is soldered to hold the cantilever in position. It is not hard to desolder and remove the cantilever though if you have good magnification.
Regards
Chris