Technics P-mount cartridge and stylus choices

[Tim Wilmot]

Hi all

I’m currently using a Technics SL-QL1 with an Audio Technica AT3474 cartridge. Replacement cartridges are thin on the ground, obviously, but I’ve picked up two P-mount cartridge bodies, a Technics P202C and an Ortofon OMP. I’m wondering what my best option would be for a cartridge or stylus upgrade - a fair bit of my vinyl is well used and I’ve had good results with noisy vinyl on other turntables using fine line styli. Some comments on forums advise against using super fine lines with P-mounts though, due to the difficulty in making alignment adjustments.

Ortofon OMP: Stylus 20 (nude elliptical) or Stylus 30 (nude fine line)
Technics P202C: aftermarket hyper elliptical, Shibata or JICO SAS

Anyone have any experience of these options or any other views?

 

[daytona600]

Only new T4P range in decades is from Grado
Grado Labs - Prestige Series 3

 

[jimpey]

Om30 on an SL7 here.

I went straight to that from a 10 so no knowledge of the 20. I find it sufficiently satisfying to have snapped up low hours used styli when they come up as we can't be sure how long they will remain available.

Thakker has them but there is the complication of duty and VAT and a quick google suggests you will pay over £200 from a UK source.

Jim

 

[eddie pugh]

I fitted a Grado P Mount Prestige BLACK2 in my brother in laws Technics SL10 to replace the original Technics MC when it lost one channel and apart from having to press the button on the back of the SL10 to cut out the internal MC amp everything sounded good and I've not had any complaints I think the Grado was about £100

eddie

 

[Fergus]

I too have an OM30 on my SL-7 and it is a bit better than the Stylus 20 by being kinder with noisy records. That said the Stylus 20 is the sweet spot of that range and may well tick all your boxes at a much lower price. There is also the newish “black diamond” nude ellipticals from Thakker and Mr. Stylus at reasonable cost.

https://mrstylus.com/en/ortofon-stylus-5e-10-20-30-40-analogis-black-diamond/

 

[Tim Wilmot]

Thanks all, looks like the stylus 30 is a popular choice, so I’ll give that a go!