Best diamond profile for Denon 103M

[Wakefield Turntables]

So, just looking at further ways to upgrade one of the rigs. My 103M sounds pretty good but I wonder if things can be hiked even further. I've heard a Shibata diamond stylus on a 103 and it sounded pretty damned good. Have you guys got any thoughts / suggestions on the subject?

[blackstar]

Don't mess with the M!

[Wakefield Turntables]

Mmmmm (sorry), looks like I need something that resembles a vinyl cutter head profile. This has been achieved by Van Dan Hul and JICO (others exist). So it looks like I'm going for a cross between my Shure 55E with NeoSAS stylus and the Denon 103M, does it exist? :confused:

[blackstar]

Something like the Hana SL Low. Shibata profile....

[Wakefield Turntables]

Shibata did cross my mind but it supposedly dosent last as long as some of the finer profile options.

[topoxforddoc]

Fritz Gyger 2 is very close to a cutting head shape. See this thread on vinyl engine.

https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=22894

[blackstar]

Aah, I'm showing my naïveté. I thought the Jico NEOSAS was a shibata profile.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Fritz Gyger 2 is very close to a cutting head shape. See this thread on vinyl engine.

https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=22894

WOWZERS! Thanks Charlie. Plenty to read and research.

[alphaGT]

Shibata did cross my mind but it supposedly dosent last as long as some of the finer profile options.

So do you want it to last long or sound good? It would seem to me that other parts wear before the diamond, rubber suspension parts, etc, and yes diamonds do wear, but even the shortest live a fairly long life. Don't they?


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[Wakefield Turntables]

Yeah Im Sceptical with regards how a diamond wears from my understanding it's NOT about what the thing looks like under a microscope. In an ideal world you'd like longevity and sound.

[walpurgis]

Yeah Im Sceptical with regards how a diamond wears from my understanding it's NOT about what the thing looks like under a microscope.

Not sure what you mean Andy. I have certainly seen wear on styli under a microscope. The beginnings of visible wear areas may be difficult to detect though. Although undoubtedly, wear starts the moment the stylus is first used.

[Wakefield Turntables]

I'm talking about the diamonds ability to produce a specific Hz range within a given +/- range of percentage distortion. JICO usually has a limit of 3% for example.

[alphaGT]

I'm talking about the diamonds ability to produce a specific Hz range within a given +/- range of percentage distortion. JICO usually has a limit of 3% for example.

So what is the average usage before a diamond reaches this point? 1000 hrs? 5000 hrs? I honestly have no idea.


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