Is Upgrading Your Stylus Really Worth The Investment or How To Ruin A Perfectly Good Turntable

Comments · 212

• HK

  @hkp30sk31 · 8 months ago

  I subscribed because I don't like being told what to do

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• BA

  @BasedBritNYC · 1 year ago

  If I might add a suggestion, the last track (nearest the center of the disc) of an LP is, in my experience, the best way to compare one cartridge/stylus against another. It's a harsher test, which will typically demonstrate the improvement of elliptical vs conical more clearly.

  31

• IS

  @Islwynpaul · 8 months ago

  I use an AT3600L stylus and the upgraded AT3600LE on my Technics SL-1210MK2 and they both sound fantastic. The more expensive LE version is a significantly different sound but both sound great. They are both phenomenal for the price. You were very brave and honest to confess to making the assumption that you could make such a cheap basic turntable perform better. As you said, we learn from our mistakes, especially those among us that enjoy tweaking, incl myself.

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• BR

  @brooklynbummer · 1 year ago

  The better, the stylus, the better, the sound and detai.  I notice that the bass and midrange have more clarity, the Shabita really makes things sound better.

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• BR

  @bryanedewaard858 · 1 month ago

  Another issue is the wear pattern. Some styli last a lot longer because their shape allows them to wear without noticeable degradation in sound quality. I can hear the flat spots forming on an elliptical after about 200-250 hours (increased midrange hardness, especially on inner tracks), but a microline has a thin ridge that wears evenly over a much longer period and then quickly drops in quality. I replace my microline every few years.

• AN

  @andrewshieldsphoto · 8 months ago

  I cannot typically hear the differences in audio test like this when the differences are inherently negligible. However, in this case I was able to hear what I would describe as texture in the base tones that was present with the elliptical where the conical stylist sounded flatter. Almost like a speaker with one note bass versus something more nuanced. I definitely appreciate you taking the time to make the comparison.

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• VI

  @vintagevinylvets1187 · 1 year ago

  Great job! We enjoyed this and learned a bit too. Thank you for taking the time to make it, always great to see your videos!🎧👏

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• DA

  @davidclarke6658 · 2 weeks ago (edited)

  I had a Dual record player from the 1970s. I can't remember the cartridge now. But It had a Shibata stylus and I then tried a aftermarket Shibata stylus (was advertised as Shibata) and it didn't come close to the original stylus in sound quality. It was a very noticeable difference.

• MO

  @MonieMuse · 1 year ago

  Really cool to see the stylist under a microscope. Great to see some of the less expensive ones working well. I never saw your record wall before 😮 wow

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• L.

  @L.E.55472 · 1 year ago (edited)

  Hi ya Paul👋🏻absolutely enjoy seeing your “informative” information 😎🎶✌🏻<br>I’m a shibata person have been since 70s

  1

• JO

  @jonnnyra · 8 months ago

  Pretty informative thanks

• DJ

  @djjoeykmusic · 1 year ago

  Great video <br>Thank you