Pickering UV-15 D2000Q

[user510]

I was hoping to gather some data regarding the cartridge noted in this thread title. The Pickering UV-15 D2000-Q
http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp ... C_3288.jpg
What I know:
It was developed to play Quad records of the 1970s and features a diamond cut designed to extract a wider band from within the record groove. Some have compared the diamond to a Shibata design. But it isn't exactly, a Shibata cut.

The Uv-15 designation indicates it to be a moving iron design and therefore stylus assemblies are not interchangeable between it and the XV-15 cartridges which were moving magnet designs. Also it is intended for a load of 100 Kohms as opposed to the more usual 47 Kohms.

What I have noticed is that replacement stylus assemblies are not readily available for this cartridge. At least not for the D2000-Q or D4000-Q versions. Here are some more photos:

http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp ... C_3284.jpg

Just below is a microscope shot from the front:
http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp ... C_1299.jpg

Below is another microscope shot from above to indicate wear to the stylus which appears very light:
http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp ... C_1248.jpg
If only the elastomer had not aged into hardness this could be a working cartridge.

Below is yet another miscrope shot from the front at lower magnification to get a view of the diamond profile:
http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp ... C_1297.jpg

specs:
stylus descr: quadrahedral
tracking force: 2.0 ± .5g
freq response: 20 - 45Khz
output: 3.8mv±2db
inductance per chan: 350mh
resistance per chan: 750 ohms
stylus part no. D 2000 Q

Based on the web searches I've conducted so far....and also forum threads, I have reached a conclusion that the best possible replacement stylii for this could be in the form of NOS stylii replacements from back in the day. Which likely means that elastomer aging is still an issue with those. Or sometimes when NOS stylii are still sealed in their containers, they survive the years fairly well. I've been lucky that way with a Sonus Blue cartridge I purchased NOS a few years back...but that's not the same thing as getting a new replacement with a new elastomer and so I restrain myself from spending $bucks on this.

Other questions:
Does anyone have recollections of having tried this cartridge, or its big brother the D4000-Q from back in the day? Was there something special here?

Just wondering.
-Steve

[user510]

More photos of this sample:
http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp ... C_3294.jpg

http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp ... C_3293.jpg

http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp ... C_3296.jpg

http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp ... C_3295.jpg

http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp ... C_3287.jpg

Data as collected so far:
stylus descr: quadrahedral
tracking force: 2.0 ± .5g
freq response: 20 - 45Khz
output: 3.8mv±2db
inductance per chan: 350mh
resistance per chan: 750 ohms
stylus part no. D 2000 Q

[nat]

There are a variety of mystery oils that have been said to soften dampers and return them to resilience. Mineral oil, fish oil, WD 40 and so on. There are plenty of threads here and elsewhere to look at.
Given that you can't use the stylus as it is, it can't hurt to try one of them. The worst that can happen is that you are right where you started, but I think you might be able to restore it to full usability.

[user510]

There are a variety of mystery oils that have been said to soften dampers and return them to resilience. Mineral oil, fish oil, WD 40 and so on. There are plenty of threads here and elsewhere to look at.
Given that you can't use the stylus as it is, it can't hurt to try one of them. The worst that can happen is that you are right where you started, but I think you might be able to restore it to full usability.

Interesting. And to be a bit more revealing I did soak the elastomer in WD-40 for a couple of days, then try it. At that time it sounded fairly normal except I was getting some light distortion in soft detail. Unusual, I thought. I double-checked my setup and decided it was the cartridge. But I might try it again.

I've got a TD160 mkII waiting for me to restore fitted with a modified RB250 arm. I suspect it should work in that arm if any. So, more on that later. Mean time, it would be cool if someone, such as Jico, were making high-end replacement stylii for this cartridge along with the 2400Q.
-Steve

[Collux]

Voice of Music has some styli offerings (inc Pickering) that may be of use:
https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog ... ategories=

[user510]

Voice of Music has some styli offerings (inc Pickering) that may be of use:
https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog ... ategories=

Thanks for that link. On that chart I noticed that all of the tips listed as a "Stereohedron" replacement were noted as "not available" there was one tip llisted as for "Quadrophonic" and it was available.
I've had good luck recently with Pfanstiehl stylii. So it seems attractive.

Pfanstiehl #608DQ

Good one!
-Steve