Stanton 500AL

[Ducatiist]

Having followed a couple of Marco's threads regarding very cheap broadcast cartridges (Goldring G800 and the recent Shure thread), I actually purchased a couple of G800's to play with and was mightily impressed with the standard cartridge. I've sent one off to be retipped by the ESCO maestro, to see what improvements can be brought with a much better diamond.

Anyway, I thought I'd share my current favourite cartridge (despite owning some very high end exotica, which are obviously a bit superior) which is a Stanton 500AL.

I managed to pick it up for the princely sum of £18.10. It came with a Technics headshell, headshell wires and a headshell weight.

Initially I fitted it as supplied to my venerable Sony did turntable and dialled in approx 1.5g vtf. The sound was pretty bright and the counter weight was really well back towards the end of the arm! The cart was riding quite low at the rear so I decided to remove the weight to try and get the thing sitting level.

I then did a little research and found out why the headshell had the weight added. The stylus has a blue oblong mark on the front denoting it's a heavier tracking stylus.

I then dialled in 2.5g vtf (which is about the minimum vtf advised) and boy oh boy!
This cheap little cartridge sounds really enjoyable! It's not massively revealing or terribly hifi, but it really is an enjoyable sound. It reminds me of the first turntable I ever bought....a Leak delta (Lenco 75 clone from memory) with a Shure MM cartridge. Every time I play it, it just makes my toes tap and is a really nice sound! I think it sounds substantially better than the standard G800.

When I look at what I paid, the smiles per pound are unparalleled!

If you get chance to pick one of these up, it's well worth a try, especially at the price I paid!
I'm sure there are chaps on here that can give a better informed opinion on these cartridges, but for me, they sound pretty great!

As a disclaimer, the cart is going through a moth phono stage into a Linn classic, playing through an old pair of Pink Triangle Ventricals...my proper kit is in storage at present, but this stuff I'm using sounds really good and trounces cd (even msfl CDs!)

Happy listening, Stu

[DSJR]

I have G800's and have recently rebuilt a G800E stylus. The stock parts are really agricultural sadly, but the Jico innards are rather finer and the diamond is incomparably better

I also have a Stanton 500 and V3 and yes, they're solid and funky, but I do find them a bit stolid as well. Huge fun though. I think a Pickering VX15/625 either in normal or DJ form would be worth a look out for too

[struth]

Put a jico shibata on an AT95... its a super combo

[Ducatiist]

Just listening to Santana Moonflower through the Stanton, I think the grin factor is fantastic!
I can do a quick change to Shure M75 with Jico SAS stylus and although there's more detail, I think the Stanton has more boogie factor!
It's obviously why it's a dj cartridge!
Or possibly there's a synergy between dd turntable and a dj cart.
Like I said, for £18.10 inc headshell....utter bargain! Well worth a little punt if you get the chance.
It'll make you smile

[Ducatiist]

I have G800's and have recently rebuilt a G800E stylus. The stock parts are really agricultural sadly, but the Jico innards are rather finer and the diamond is incomparably better

I sent a G800 with original stylus (sans diamond) to ESCO. They are replacing the missing diamond with a paratrace, but in the original aluminium cantilever.
A couple of other cartridges also went for retip. I can't wait for their return, to see what they can do (a Stanton 681 EEE and an Audio Technica AT31e with sapphire cantilever).
Should be interesting to see what they're like!

[Tarzan]

l myself on the odd occasion bust out my Stanton 500AL- very full and musical sound.

[DSJR]

Put a jico shibata on an AT95... its a super combo

I wonder if Jico can be persuaded to do a Linn K5/K9 stylus, as the main body is that of a 95E and relatives?

[Macca]

I've got a 650 V3 and it is a lot of fun for fairly simple music that benefits from a big boned presentation - like disco or '90s club stuff. Not so good with music that depends on subtleties. I also have a 681EEE which is much more refined, but still fun - quite a bargain at the price for the quality on offer

[struth]

I wonder if Jico can be persuaded to do a Linn K5/K9 stylus, as the main body is that of a 95E and relatives?

Guess it would depend on how many are still out there and being used. Lots of at95s around. It surprising just how good that cheap cart can be made to sound for a 20 quidder. Fair enough the stylus is over a ton but it competes well with anythi!g in that bracket