Stanton 681EEE-S

[SaSi]

I recently acquired my first decent TT, a Revox B791. It came with an Ortofon MC20S and an Ortofon pre-pre transformer.

The stylus was of unknwon mileage but looked ok in the microscope. It was a revelation to listen to. Airy sound, sweet highs, great channel separation and distortion free. Even hard rock sounded clear. Even the Springsteen Born to Run LP sounded better than I ever heard before.

Unfortunately, an accident destroyed the stylus.

So, I replaced the cart for the time being with a Stanton 681EEES I have from the old days. Back to what I recall being LP sound. Muffled, fuzzy, striking highs and a lack stereo image. I even replaced the stylus with a brand new sealed one I bought some 15 years ago, just to stock myself in case I ever needed to play LPs again. Same muffled sound.

In the meantime, I was able to secure an MC15S for about $80 and I mounted that over the weekend. Back to revelation again. The precice, detailed and sweet sound I discovered with the MC20.

I also realized something else. The 681 seemed to pick up all dust grains and pops possible. The Ortofon styluses seem to "ignore" the clicks and pops. They are still there but not that loud or distracting. I find the difference as big as playing a worn out 78 on a Grammophone compared to a mint 33 LP on a modern TT.

This short experience makes me wonder: Can the 681 be that bad? I have read comments that these are DJ carts, but seriously, are they so bad performers?

And the Ortofons, MC15 and MC20? How do they stand compared to modern carts in the $200-300 range?

[beatcomber]

I tried out a new 681 recently and promptly returned it the next day.

[ke4jhj]

The 681 is not a DJ cartridge. A lot of folks here like the 681 altough most think it has gone down hill since the current version has a .2 x .7 mil stylus instead of the stereohedron.

I have a Pickering XV-15 with a Pickering D11S stereohedron stylus which is the equivalent of the Stanton 681EEE-S. I think it does a great job.:music:

[SaSi]

I also didn't consider the 681 a DJ cart. When I bought it, back in 1980, I believed it to be a budget audiophile cart. I bought it with a Stereohedron stylus and have bought some eliptical replacements as well over the years. I finaly purchased one of the last EEE-S styluses at a store for future stock.

Problem is, it sounded as it did in two or three TTs I've tried it on. A Luxman PD282, a Dual 1009 and now the Revox 791.

My only other reference was the M95ED and the M44G (original cart on the Dual 1009) and it sounded better than these two.

And now, years later, I get to compare the sound and discover how different two carts can sound.

[JohnVF]

I have a 681eee that came with a TT I bought. I paid a decent amount for a new stylus and after listening and playing around with arm height and tracking force promptly put it on a TT that I don't hardly ever listen to. I had high hopes for it, and it gets so much praise in these parts I'm thinking there has to be something wrong with my cartridge (it's old, so that's very very possible). I replaced it with my AT-150mlx and there was absolutely no comparison. The AT walked all over it. I hope that a properly functioning 681 doesn't actually sound like my 681 does.

[Stanton681EEES]

Remember one thing cartridges are system dependent. What might sound good to one set of ears on a certain system may not sound that good on another.
Example the one AT440MLA I heard on my system made my ears bleed I hated it but it gets rave reviews by most. I'm using an older Grado G1+ that is the same as the the a new silver one and on my system it sounds wonderful nice mids wonderful bass a very nice warm sound. I always chuckle when people post asking as to what cartridge to buy because as i said early I really believe they are system dependent.

[Fred Longworth]

What is the tracking force you are using for the 681EEES?

[SaSi]

What is the tracking force you are using for the 681EEES?

I have tried between 1g and 2g. I think the best results are at 1.5 ~ 1.7, doesn't get any better running heavier. I don't use the longhair brush.

[KentTeffeteller]

Hi,

Without brush optimal tracking force is 1 gram to 1 1/2 grams VTF. Add 1 gram VTF for brush use. This cartridge is very alignment sensitive for best performance. If it's even slightly off, they sound poor.

[SaSi]

Can it be that VTA misalignment could cause that? The cart, when lowered on the vinyl, wasn't perfectly horizontal, had a small angling downwards. If so, I can give it a second chance and mount it on my 795 to do comparisons. I could try different VTA settings by putting a thicker mat or a second LP underneath.

[KentTeffeteller]

Hi SaSi,

Experimentation is good. I have an old Plainview, NY made one with StereoHedron II stylus in my Technics SL-1600 which is hotrodded. It tracks superbly and sounds nice.

[jrtrent]

I've never had good results with an old Stanton stylus, even if it's "new" in the sense of never having been used. The rubber suspension deteriorates with age even when sitting in its box. I got very poor results buying a stylus from a dealer who later explained that he had gotten part of his stock by buying the inventory of another store that had gone out of business. A fresh-from-the-factory stylus assembly restored the great sound I've come to expect from that model, and I've used 681 cartridges off and on since the 1970's on BIC, Garrard, Thorens, and Linn turntables.

It's true that the current Stanton hi-fi products are not what they once were--gone are the higher performing 881 and 981 series, and even the 681 has lost the nude-mounted Stereohedron extended contact stylus and now uses a .3 X .7 mil bonded elliptical, but there's nothing fuzzy or muffled about the sound, and I've found the soundstaging and image localization of the 681 to be better than other cartridges in its price category (e.g., Shure M97xE and Grado Blue). For that matter, I'm currently getting great playback from my LP12 using a lower end Stanton 500 series body with the D71EE stylus attached (this from their P-mount cartridge, the L720EE).

[SaSi]

Hmmm....

It definately calls for experimentation.

[whell]

LP Gear also markets a replacement for the 681 EEE that has a Shibata stylus. While not a Stereohedron, the design objectives of the Stereohedron and the Shibata were the same (reaching deeper into the groove by playing with the shape of the stylus tip), with the Stereohedron being a slightly more advanced application of the design objectives. While the standard replacement styli for the 681 EEE are elipticals, I have to wonder if the LP Gear replacement wouldn't sound closer to the Stereohedron stylus that many folks who are 681 owners favor???

[KentTeffeteller]

Hi,

Unless it is Jico made, most likely won't be up to standard. Most aftermarket Stanton replacements weren't that good. The StereoHedron II is the best stylus for the 681 series Stanton made. The suspension on Stantons can deteriorate. I have had good luck with them holding up better than NOS Shures do. Bottomed out 681 styli don't do well. Quality control on the Florida made 681 styli is uneven in my opinion. If purchasing one of these, buy one from KABUSA who inspects them for QC before selling one to a customer.

[whell]

Well, don't look now, but on KABUSA's "Specials" page, he's selling his last 2 D11S styli. At $92 a pop, its steep, but worth it if someone gets their hands on a cheap 681 body.

There's a good chance that the LP Gear stylus is Jico - made. Jico also lists the two flavors of the 681 EEE stylus on their site. No way to be sure, though, unless LP Gear can confirm it.

[SaSi]

I won't give up on my 681 just yet. I will remount it on a Revox 790 and test it side by side with the MC15, but....

I just spinned a few new acquisitions on the B791/MC15 combo. Some Narada LPs in mint condition featuring Philip Lanz and Gabriel Lee as well as the Pat Metheny's First Circle. I listened to them closely using my Sennheiser HD650 headphones.

The clear sound, dynamic range and lack of distortion, combined with total absense of surface noise was exactly what I was suspecting when I returned to vinyl. I could even listen the noise floor (hiss) disappearing between tracks.

After all, the joy of listening is what we are after and if one cart cannot provide it, I feel thankful that another one can.

Experimentation and twaking is a different game, which I also enjoy...