Gear you're running that you're not happy with.

Trying to get my home office system sounding great or at least decent, I keep running out of working parts. So far a receiver has lost a channel and so has my NAD amp. Tried one Dynaco Stereo 120 but the L side is weak but the second D-S 120 works properly but I am not impressed with the sound quality. I'm not a fixer type of person so I am watching Canuck Audio Mart for something that fits my budget that's over 80W a side.

Thinking back to what I used to own, I try not to kick myself too hard. :D

But at least my main system is running great! I am not touching that one!
 
Try as I might, factory and aftermarket styli, I really don’t find myself in adoration of the Stanton 681/Pickering V15 carts.

This isn’t when comparing them to the Dynavector or Ortofon Kontrapunkt or other upper cartridge models, but along their competitors at the time or their later relatives, which could be purchased at the same pay grade or slightly above- the Audio Technica AT440, Signet TK7, Stanton’s own 881, Shure V15-V, Osawa OS, Technics EPC-205, ADC ZLM & XLM…

I never really embraced them, and now after years (decades) now I’m mildly and ever so slightly warming to them- they are a great cartridge for very casual listening especially with the pretty decent quality aftermarket styli at around $40.

They don’t sound bad- not at all- they just never got my booty shaking.
 
I tried a 681 and didn’t really get it, but the 881s is a fantastic cart. I like it better than the V-15vmr. This is with the original D81s stylus. I preferred it to my Nagaoka mp500 as well, by a hair… but not my Ortofon Cadenza.

A few carts I wasn’t as taken by as others are: DL-103, Shelter 501, Clearaudio Virtuoso, and a high output Benz Glider.
 
I tried a 681 and didn’t really get it, but the 881s is a fantastic cart. I like it better than the V-15vmr. This is with the original D81s stylus. I preferred it to my Nagaoka mp500 as well, by a hair… but not my Ortofon Cadenza.

A few carts I wasn’t as taken by as others are: DL-103, Shelter 501, Clearaudio Virtuoso, and a high output Benz Glider.
I have a special 103- the 103D, which is a more compliant version with an elliptical. I should give it a run soon.

the 881 is a great cartridge and I am in agreement with you on it’s abilities and what it edges out on.

my favorite is my Kontrapunkt- the model that came out prior to the Cadenza and quite similar.
 
I have a special 103- the 103D, which is a more compliant version with an elliptical. I should give it a run soon.

the 881 is a great cartridge and I am in agreement with you on it’s abilities and what it edges out on.

my favorite is my Kontrapunkt- the model that came out prior to the Cadenza and quite similar.
Yeah the Cadenza is the one that just did it for me. In fact I don’t actually know where my other carts are, besides the Nagaoka that’s on my second table. The Ortofon was love at first listen and so much do that I finally stopped swapping carts out all the time. I’m sure the Kontrapunkt is similar.
 
The Kontrapunkt is the cart that got me into the… groove… of things. It’s my favorite by a long

Everything else is secondary.

That said, I have a bunch more to mess around with- a Grace F9, factory styli and some of the Soundsmith styli. An Ortofon Supreme or two. The excellent Technics EPC-205, stock and Jico styli. The Dynavector Karat 17D3 to revisit. Some interesting high end toroidal coil Signet and Audio Technica models.
 
JP, Have you heard the integrated Signets and ATs with toroidal coils? signet TK9, TK10, Audio Technica AT-25?
 
Ya the MK3 was available integrated, universal, or T4P. Great cart. My favorite behind the 100CMK4.

Haven‘t heard those others.
 
Ya the MK3 was available integrated, universal, or T4P. Great cart. My favorite behind the 100CMK4.

Haven‘t heard those others.
You seem like a cool kat.

come over for a listen anytime.
 
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I bought a Denon something or other so I could listen to internet radio. It did Tidal and stuff like that too but it kept dropping out and tbh it sounded bloody awful. I gave it to my son and he reckons it’s crap too. I’ll stick with my records and my Leak Troughline thanks.
 
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