P-Mount Cartridges?

[cmb3366]

I'm currently running a Technics SL-D30 dd turntable with an Audio Technica AT92e cartridge. My question is, of the available p-mount cartridges, will I notice any others to be a notable step-up in sound quality, or is this one good enough for p-mount?

[Scorpion8]

The AT-92E is quite capable, and there are probably better stylii for it. It's not a bad pickup, but nobody is putting a lot of emphasis into p-mounts anymore. Unless it sounds bad to you, I'd stick with it. Moving up to the several remaning alternatives might not be money well invested. Save up for a much better table and pickup later on.

[ke4jhj]

I am running an AT92E also on my Technics SL-QD3. The cartridge is a very good performer and probably about the best bang for the buck. It uses a .3 x .7 mil stylus. There are two other styli in production that will fit the AT92E, (.6 mil conical and .4 x .7 mil elliptical). The one on your cartridge is the better of the three.

I have been very happy with mine.:yes:

[cason]

I had a Grado Gold p-mount on my SL-Q200, which I enjoyed very much. I never had the "Grado Hum" problem with that turntable.
Bob

[hakaplan]

I think the AT92E is one of the best currently available p-mounts. The only step up is the Shibata stylus:

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=ATSAT0331LP

[iLUVanalog]

On my Technics SL-DD2 I use an Audio Technica TR470E/LT P-mount (for which I found a replacement stylus assembly from LPGear....I was thrilled!!) with excellent results and no plans to change anything. However, I also have an Ortofon OMP-10 just in case I get a wild hair.

[SA-708]

I've got a couple of p-mount carts from the same family as the TR470E/LT (AT LS580/LT and Realistic RX1500) and its a great cartridge. They are not currently in production but still show up at reasonable prices on eBay (under a wide variety of model numbers) and several replacement stylii (from spherical to shibata) are still available.

[Paul C]

I have several P-mount cartridges.

2 Radio Shack RXT6 (same as Shure M111E), Shure 1000E (same cart body, different stylus)

My older son's turntable is set up with a Shure M92E cartridge body, but with a LPGear replacement for the RXT6's R16X stylus.

[whoaru99]

My table has a Shure M111HE P-mount cartridge.

Styli are hard to find for it I'm told, but since I rarely listen to vinyl, it should last a long time.

[BrocLuno]

If you want an improvement in detail and high freqs like cymbals and such, get the LPGear Shibata stylus. It's a definite step up in resolution and tracking over a straight elliptical :)

[goanlisten]

I have an AT-92E P-Mount married to my AKAI turntable - sounds amazingly good...... to my ears.:banana:

[Lastplace]

What's the difference between the std AT92E (0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical) & the "Shibata" diamond?

http://www.garage-a-records.com/proddetail.php?prod=AT92ECD

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=ATSAT0331LP

Picked up a nice Technics SL-QD3 this weekend $20, has an AT Series VII missing stylis. Any inexpensive suggestions are welcome.

[hakaplan]

Wow, that Shibata went up in price! Shibata is a kind of line contact stylus. So it is narrower and longer than the elliptical enabling it to ride lower in the groove and extract more detail. I'm pretty sure JICO is making that special for lpgear. I have an original 331LP and I can vouch for the excellent sound, but I have never compared it A/B with the elliptical, so I don't know if it's worth the huge difference in price. The .3 x .7 elliptical is surprisingly good. I've tried it in that SL-QD3 and was very impressed. Keep in mind that either stylus will require break-in time.

[ke4jhj]

What's the difference between the std AT92E (0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical) & the "Shibata" diamond?

http://www.garage-a-records.com/proddetail.php?prod=AT92ECD

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=ATSAT0331LP

Picked up a nice Technics SL-QD3 this weekend $20, has an AT Series VII missing stylis. Any inexpensive suggestions are welcome.

The standard stylus with the AT92E is a .3 x .7 mil elliptical stylus. The cartridge equipped with this stylus does a great job, especially considering you can get one for under $30.

The Shibata stylus (also known as micro-line or line contact) has a very fine contact area from front to back. It is capable of extracting more detail and accuracy from the grooves of your record than the elliptical stylus can. But as you probably noticed, the shibata stylus is $130. Is the improvement in sound quality (which I would say is some, but not much) worth the additional cost. You have to decide that one. I'm quite happy with the stock elliptical stylus.:music:

Also, congrats on the Technics SL-QD3 table. Most people underestimate its capabilities. I've had one since 1985 and have been very happy with it.

[Lastplace]

Added picks (a couple post back). This was the second QD3 I've come across and decided to go for it. I'm ordering the std AT92E.

Hakaplan,
I hope it's 1/2 as good as the 440MLa you set me up with. It's amazing how good beat up albums sound with that cart.

[Danger Boy]

What's the difference between the std AT92E (0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical) & the "Shibata" diamond?

Sorry I can't be of any help... but I would love to try out that Shibata stylus and cartridge myself. I checked into it at LP website too several months ago. I don't know of anyone who has tried it though. I am very interested in what results someone has had with it.

[Lastplace]

at $129, I'll only be reading about the Shibata stylus, went with the AT92ECD for $29.

[Trower]

Lpgear also sells an HE stylus, still kinda pricey though for what it is.

[davesnewTT]

Turntableneedles.com sells the linecontact stylus including cartridge, for less than just the stylus at lpgear.
Also, I got the HE stylus for this one when it was still cheap, and it does sound better than th elliptical, but not by that much. At least not on my system, which is admittedly modest.

[Lastplace]

Stupid question:

I've never set up a p-mount turntable. I assume you install cart and lock in with the screw. Set tonearm weight to zero/balanced and add tracking weight. Correct?

[koseltri]

Wow, that Shibata went up in price!

Yeah, that was a shock. I *was* planning to get one, when they wanted only $50 (or was it $60?). Waited too long, as usual. Most of the P-mount arms I've seen aren't adjustable for VTF. The P-mount was a standardized system, so adjustments are usually minimal.

[Brian]

The Shibata configuration was developed to track the quadrophonic records groove that was cut differently than stereo. At the time, there was a split in opinion whether the configuration should be used to play a 2-channel record or if it would damage the groove. It was only agreed on that the tip would reach areas that typically were not touched by an elliptical and hence not worn as much. A number of tape recording groups suggested using it when recording from a recorded with the intent of storing the record and only playing the tape.

[hakaplan]

Stupid question:

I've never set up a p-mount turntable. I assume you install cart and lock in with the screw. Set tonearm weight to zero/balanced and add tracking weight. Correct?
Yes, but since p-mounts were standardized to all weigh the same and track at 1.25g, most tables were permanantly set at 1.25g TF and anti-skate--there was no adjustment. Literally plug-and-play.

[Lastplace]

I want to thank everybody for their help, The AT92E sounds great!

(almost as good as my PS-X65/440MLa)

Technics GW $20, new cart $29, Paul Desmond Quartet $1...Sunday morning cup of coffee listening to jazz, priceless

[iLUVanalog]

that's a sweet set up!!

[p. rex]

Nice set-up. I had a Technics SL-D20 that I used with an Ortofon 310 for a couple years; it served me very well, and sounded quite good if it was reasonably well isolated from vibration (these plastic tables don't like that).

[KlipschFan61]

I had a Grado Gold p-mount on my SL-Q200, which I enjoyed very much. I never had the "Grado Hum" problem with that turntable.
Bob
I run the same cart on my SL-DD33. No hum and it sure makes that little table sounds pretty darn good.

[cmb3366]

I want to thank everybody for their help, The AT92E sounds great!

(almost as good as my PS-X65/440MLa)

Technics GW $20, new cart $29, Paul Desmond Quartet $1...Sunday morning cup of coffee listening to jazz, priceless

Nice setup on that Technics, thats basically the setup I had, and it served its purpose for getting a newb into vinyl, and not sounding too bad, or damaging any vinyl while doing it.

That said, I finally put together a rig that I think does vinyl justice, and it smokes that old technics in every way possible, as it damn well should considering the investment difference. Its spinning 'CCR - The Concert' as for the first time I type; aweful recording, I never realized how bad it really was on the Technics, but my foot is tapping regardless:music:

[Lastplace]

spinning 'CCR - The Concert' as for the first time I type; aweful recording, I never realized how bad it really was on the Technics, but my foot is tapping regardless:music:

I just listened to that album last night. I assume it was taped by a rodie sitting in the last row holding a boom box.

[Mr. Lin]

What's the difference between the std AT92E (0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical) & the "Shibata" diamond?

http://www.garage-a-records.com/proddetail.php?prod=AT92ECD

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=ATSAT0331LP

Picked up a nice Technics SL-QD3 this weekend $20, has an AT Series VII missing stylis. Any inexpensive suggestions are welcome.

Hey I actually used to have a Series VII and it was a very good sounding cartridge, although I didn't spend an extended amount of time with it.

Howard, is the Series VII similar to the AT92E?

[hakaplan]

Hey I actually used to have a Series VII and it was a very good sounding cartridge, although I didn't spend an extended amount of time with it.

Howard, is the Series VII similar to the AT92E?
Yeppers, the same cartridge and stylus.

[Mr. Lin]

Yeppers, the same cartridge and stylus.

Well now I know what all the fuss is about.