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PHONO STYLUS SIZE Phono styli come in basically two sizes and two configurations. Microgroove records, such as, LPs and 45s require a stylus that have a tip radius of approximately 0.7 to1.0 mil. The 1.0 mil was the old standard for mono records. These are normally referred to as "Conical" or "Spherical" in shape, that is, a cone shaped point with a round tip. Older records, such as, 78 rpm shellac records require a stylus with a radius of approximately 3.0 mils. Broadcast transcriptions typically required 2.5 mils. For most applications there was little practical difference, especially in regard to 78 rpm records. Beginning in the 1950s, most stylus and cartridge manufacturers began producing 2.7 mil "compromise" styli for such coarse groove records. In later years, LP styli manufacturers began manufacturing styli that more closely approximated the shape of the actual cutting stylus. These were known under various names and shapes, but the most popular was the elliptical shape. There main benefit was that they could reproduce highs with more efficiency and less audio distortion. The Shure 78 rpm stylus has a 2.5 mil radius, making them more fine tuned for radio transcriptions, than 78 rpm records. cartridge. On the other hand, Grado's standard 78 rpm stylus has a radius of 3.0 mils, making them ideal for most 78s. Stanton's 78 rpm stylus is specified as 2.7 mils and is a best compromise. CHOOSING PHONO CARTRIDGES AND STYLI In general, elliptical styli produce better high frequencies and with less distortion than do conical shapes. So, if your main interest is in LP production, a cartridge that comes with an elliptical LP stylus should be strongly considered. On the other hand, if you main interest is in 78 rpm and similar discs, a cartridge with conical LP stylus could be considered as it is immaterial. For instance, if you will normally be playing vintage 78s, a Stanton 500 series could be a logical choice. On the other hand, if your primary interest would be in playing LP records, and audiophile records, then a Stanton 680 series would be the better choice. Ditto Shure M92E, Grado DJ-100, and Stanton 720. With vintage records you have the choice of either conical or elliptical with some cartridges. Conical might be considered for more worn records, while vintage records in better condition will deliver enhanced sound with an elliptical stylus. In the case of vintage records, what ever works is the best regardless of any general rules of thumb. That can only be determined by trial and error. REPLACING STYLI All styli will eventually wear out. Dust on records acts as an abrasive. Both records and styli are worn by such abrasion. Keeping your records clean with some of the devices sold by us will help reduce both noise and damage to records and styli. Most styli are now made of diamond and can be expected to last from 600 to 1000 hours of use. That can be a very long time. We have seen many styli that are decades old and still in excellent condition. When purchasing a cartridge, thought should be given as to whether you will be exchanging styli casually, as going back and forth between LP and 78 rpm records. Most styli are easy to replace and exchange. Others, such as Grado, require a bit of force and a supplied tool to prevent damaging the stylus. The best solution is to purchase two headshells and two cartridges, one for each basic stylus. CLICK HERE FOR OUR RECOMMENDED CARTRIDGE SETUP
Include $4.65 to cover shipping. IL residents add 7.25% IST |
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(Cartridges With Styli) Using styli of various sizes to overcome noise in records caused by wear and abuse is a common technique. There is no optimum size stylus. Often a larger size works best, sometimes a smaller size works best. The one that produces the best sound is the correct stylus to use. Older records often require larger tips for standard play. Up until now, such styli have cost up to $150.00 each. To prevent damage, it is often desirable to mount such delicate styli in their own cartridges. If you had 5 custom styli made for you and purchased five Grado cartridges the cost would be approximately $1,500.00! Esoteric Sound has put together a kit of five Grado DJ-100, 2 - 5 Gram tracking cartridges, each equipped with a different radius, custom-made stylus suited for vintage records. Each stylus is conical/spherical in shape and can be used for archival or casual play of records without concern for undue wear on the record. The kit consists of the following cartridge/stylus radii: |
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DJ-100/2.0 |
DJ-100/2.5 |
DJ-100/3 .0 |
DJ-100/3.5 |
DJ-100/4.0 |
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Price (ROKARK): $450.00
(IL Residents add 7.25% IST)+
$7.50 Shipping When purchased with the kit, a set of five standard headshells is available for: $60.00. |
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REK-O-KUT ARCHIVAL STYLI FOR GRADO PICKUPS (Stylus Alone)
Recommended as a standard size for Edison Diamond Disc and miscellaneous 20's and 30's records is 3.0 mil. Recommeded for raw aluminum and 1930's RCA pregrooved disks is 4.0 mil. The following diameter sizes are available: DJ-2 - 2.0 mil - $65.00 worn Lps, some AFRS transcriptions. Kit of all five (STYLUSKIT) - $320.00 (IL Residents add 7.25% IST) |
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REK-O-KUT ELLIPTICAL 78 RPM STYLUS FOR STANTON 500 CARTRIDGE
IF YOU COULD BUY ONLY ONE STYLUS FOR PLAYING 78S - THIS
WOULD BE IT! PINCH EFFECT
A conical tipped stylus will have a difficult time following wide side-to-side motions of the groove with high frequencies. The groove narrows at transitions and tends to “pinch” at the stylus, especially at the inner diameter, near the end. This is a cause of distortion. An elliptical stylus easily follows these side-to-side motions. SPECIFICATIONS
Price: $140.00 (IL Residents add 7.25% IST) +$4.65Shipping
OPERATING HINTS Most vintage recordings do not have to be played with any particular stylus,
but they were made to be played with certain standard styli. 78s and radio
transcriptions require a coarse groove stylus of approximately 3 mil. You should
choose the stylus that provides the best overall sound regardless of size. Here are some
recommendations to start with:
Price (ROKAESK): $450.00. IL residents add 7.25% IST. USA Shipping - $6.00.
REK-O-KUT LOW-COST 78 RPM ELLIPTICAL STYLI HALF THE PRICE OF COMPETITORS - BUT THERE ARE NONE!
78 RPM styli for use in popular cartridges. REK-O-KUT
styli are precision ground and made of highly polished
diamonds.
Compatible cartridges: Stanton 500/720, Shure M44, CN25, CN1000 Sanyo/Fisher/Rondine Jr
D5130EJ: $70.00 (IL Residents add 7.25% IST)
N44-3E: $55.00 (IL Residents add 7.25% IST)
CN1000-3E: $45.00 (IL Residents add 7.25% IST)
Please include Shipping of $4.65 |
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REK-O-KUT D5135EJ 78 RPM ELLIPTICAL STYLUS A 3.5 MIL STYLUS TO FIT STANTON 500 CARTRIDGES
Compatible cartridges: Stanton 500/720
Price: $80.00 (IL Residents add 7.25% IST) +$4.65Shipping |
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A 1.0 MIL STYLUS FOR GOOD CONDITION MONO LPS & 45S -D5110J A 1.2 MIL STYLUS FOR WORN MONO LPS & 45S - D5112EJ THE ONLY GENUINE MONO STYLI IN PRODUCTION! Mono LP and 45 RPM records when introduced in 1947 & 48 were made to be played
with You will usually hear an improvement in noise and distortion when older mono records are played with their intended stylus the D5110J. For more worn records we offer the larger D5112J, a 1.2 mil stylus. Because it is larger we have made it elliptical to better trace the highs. It does wonders on beater 45s. Compatible cartridges: Stanton 500/720 The following examples are of a severely worn record: Standard Stereo
Stylus
1.0 Mil Mono Stylus
1.2 Mil Mono Stylus D5110J: $55.00 (IL Residents add 7.25% IST) +$4.65Shipping D5112EJ: $65.00 (IL Residents add 7.25% IST) +$4.65Shipping |
REK-O-KUT ARCHIVAL REPRODUCER KIT
Larger styli can play older and/or worn 78 rpm records above the groove wear.
Smaller tips play records below surface blemishes. These styli are made to fit Grado cartridges,
such as the DJ-100. They are conical/spherical in shape, track at 2 - 5 Grams, and can be used
for archival or casual play of records without concern for undue wear on the record.
D5130E
styli are made by REK-O-KUT, America’s oldest name in turntables, for use in 500
and 720 series Stanton phono cartridges. Supplied in Stanton-made mounts,
D5130E tips are precision ground and made of highly polished diamonds in the USA. 
styli. Elliptical styli can reproduce the highs of old records
with much more accuracy while reducing the distortion.
"microgroove styli" of 1.0 mils in radius. While modern stereo styli will
play these records fairly well, their size varies from 0.5 to 0.7 mil in radius,
thus placing them lower in the groove, in the area of most wear.