JKlopp1892 Posted January 3, 2024 Posted January 3, 2024 Highly regarded and much sought after Stanton MM Cart. In wonderful condition. Sounding superb. Many years of listening pleasure left. I have had this on my Luxman which I have just passed onto a friend so, regrettably letting this one go. Price is negotiable, none around for sale so it is a bit hard pricing it.
krazywaffle Posted January 3, 2024 Posted January 3, 2024 Any insight regarding performance comparison to 680EE and 681EEE with genuine Stanton styli?
JKlopp1892 Posted January 3, 2024 Author Posted January 3, 2024 Hi there. I have heard the 680 on a friends TT a few years back, but it had an aftermarket stylus which I believe didn’t do the cart justice. My one does have the original D80 on it and, to my humble ears, sounds as good(if not better) than just about any sub $1000 cart i have heard. I find it sounds neutral, and true to the sound of the recording. Really detailed. Hope that helps. Thanks 1
PKay Posted January 3, 2024 Posted January 3, 2024 It’s rare to see them with the original stylus. Depending on wear this is worth a lot more imo. @MrRogersmay be able to comment given his knowledge of the cart.
MrRogers Posted January 3, 2024 Posted January 3, 2024 The cantilevers in the Stanton 680 is made of many different metals. An aftermarket stylus will have a less than perfectly matching cantilever. A retip using the original stylus assembly is the best option. The cantilever will remain perfectly matching and you can retip with a stylus that’s way better than the original. A retiped 680 with a micro ridge stylus (VDH) is a seriously good cartridge.
krazywaffle Posted January 3, 2024 Posted January 3, 2024 Thanks heaps for the feedback and insights. My 680EE and 681EEE both have original Stanton stylus. Good to know that re-tipping the original stylus assembly for both carts is the go when the time comes. This is what I did with Garrott Brothers P77i. Have been using 680EE with aftermarket and original styli since 2017 and have found it to be a solid performer across the spectrum of genres and recording qualities. Haven’t put 681EEE with original stylus onto Dual 1229 yet but it is mounted on sled and ready to go (currently using ADC cart with original stylus, which has been impressive enough to inhibit motivation to make the switch to 681EEE). 880S with original stylus is a tempting addition to my Stanton collection…
PKay Posted January 3, 2024 Posted January 3, 2024 14 minutes ago, krazywaffle said: Thanks heaps for the feedback and insights. My 680EE and 681EEE both have original Stanton stylus. Good to know that re-tipping the original stylus assembly for both carts is the go when the time comes. This is what I did with Garrott Brothers P77i. Have been using 680EE with aftermarket and original styli since 2017 and have found it to be a solid performer across the spectrum of genres and recording qualities. Haven’t put 681EEE with original stylus onto Dual 1229 yet but it is mounted on sled and ready to go (currently using ADC cart with original stylus, which has been impressive enough to inhibit motivation to make the switch to 681EEE). 880S with original stylus is a tempting addition to my Stanton collection… At the sale price I would be grabbing it if I didn’t already own the 881s.
MrRogers Posted January 3, 2024 Posted January 3, 2024 2 hours ago, krazywaffle said: Any insight regarding performance comparison to 680EE and 681EEE with genuine Stanton styli? They are exactly the same body, only the stylus differs. So it depends on what stylus is attached to them.
krazywaffle Posted January 3, 2024 Posted January 3, 2024 1 minute ago, MrRogers said: They are exactly the same body, only the stylus differs. So it depends on what stylus is attached to them. Oh really? That’s news to me. Thought the bodies had differences in addition to original styli. So the different number really just refers to different original styli that they came with (e.g., EE vs EEE)?
MrRogers Posted January 3, 2024 Posted January 3, 2024 Yes, that’s correct. The bodies were the same with respect to many different Stanton models. Only the stylus assemblies differed.
JKlopp1892 Posted January 3, 2024 Author Posted January 3, 2024 Oh. I thought that they differed in the magnet used in the cart, ie the weight. Interesting
MrRogers Posted January 3, 2024 Posted January 3, 2024 To clarify. All the various 680 Stanton models have exactly the same body, only the stylus was different. A 880s and 881s are exactly the same body. A 880s is of course different to the 680. One is moving magnet the other moving iron.
JKlopp1892 Posted January 3, 2024 Author Posted January 3, 2024 Thank you for clarifying that. I thought so. Totally misunderstood what you meant!
krazywaffle Posted January 3, 2024 Posted January 3, 2024 Thanks for the additional clarification. @JKlopp1892 PM sent.
krazywaffle Posted January 3, 2024 Posted January 3, 2024 1 hour ago, MrRogers said: To clarify. All the various 680 Stanton models have exactly the same body, only the stylus was different. A 880s and 881s are exactly the same body. A 880s is of course different to the 680. One is moving magnet the other moving iron. Found this description on AudioKarma that seemed additionally insightful (if true). Seems 680/681 and, presumably, 880/881 distinction also had something to do with compliance conformation sorting off the assembly line?
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