[MaxCast]

Ok, I'm going to give away this cheapie tt I picked up but it needs a cart. 




I have three bodies that need a new needle.  Granted these are not head liners but I want to put the lesser of the three on the table and give it to someone I know that wants to listen to their old family vinyl records.  I told them they could have the table, just let me know if they stop using it and I'll take it back.  I want to keep the best of the three to put on another Pioneer I picked up.   
So, my question is how would you rank these carts with a cheepie needle?  which one to keep and which to put on the Mitsu?
 






Pics are not as good as they look on the phone4.  Anyway, they are:
Shure super track plus, V15III-HE  -  no needle
Technicraft TC2000  -  bent stylus
Shure/Realistic with Shure 5x needle  -  bent stylus

Looking for a < $20-25 for the give-a-way and a bit more for the Pioneer PL-400 suspended table.

Got any ideas or suggestions??

[jimdgoulding]

Brother Max, how do you propose to replace the needle?

[MaxCast]

I'm saying the needle is the diamond, stylus and plastic thingy.  Not the whole cart.

Here is an interesting quote from Richard Steinfeld

One further point that I want to contribute, since this is the Lenco community and I feel that we're more sensible (and less egotistical) than many other audio groups that I've come across:

The issue is whether an approach makes sense or not: do we get a good "bang for our buck," and will that approach be a good one for the future?

The fact is that cartridge bodies are "a dime a dozen." More of them are good than aren't. I don't usually worry whether a used cartridge body is in good condition or not. Most are fine. Most are easy to find. Most are inexpensive enough.

However, the real point to think about is whether you can obtain good needles for it or not. And when I say "good," what I mean is styli that are complete equals of the cartridge maker's original styli in every respect. Just because you have a cartridge body, even a good one, often does not make good sense to continue using because you can't get a stylus for it that matches the original characteristics. The stylus is the most expensive and the most critical part of your complete cartridge.

Gene has raised a red flag about this pickup because the body is only compatible with a small group of dedicated styli, whereas most other AT cartridges and needles allow a better mixture between the components of each group.

People often arrive at a Lenco bulletin board asking where they can obtain a stylus for a cartridge that they already have. In my own hindsight, the first question is "Should I even bother with this cartridge?" Thoughts should begin with whether any obtainable stylus for it will be a good match for my tone arm, a good match for the records that I want to listen to. Will there be a good needle for the condition of these records? And then, move on to how I'll obtain this needle (or these needles).

Many people on this board don't have unlimited money to throw around on wrong choices, so I like to think about ways that people can focus on selections that will be the most satisfying. And knowing that a good choice for one other person may be a poor choice for another person.
--------------------------------
Mike, it's difficult to really know the condition of a stylus. One trick that I like is to take a record that's in good condition, a record of music that I don't like. New is especially useful. Set the arm properly. Then play the record ten times. Does it still sound as good as it first did?

So maybe I should be looking at cheepie carts 

[JackD]

Maxcast

This should accomplish what you want.  Is a repackaged JICO. Carole is a very good seller.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/767-DED-767-DE-STEREO-RECORD-NEEDLE-TURNTABLE-STYLUS-SHURE-N-95ED-N95-M95-M-95ED-/200918072365?pt=US_Record_Player_Turntable_Parts&hash=item2ec7a67c2d

[neobop]

I think there are aftermarket needles available for all those Shure carts.  Of the bunch, some people really like the V15III.  There might even be a Jico SAS for that cart.  LpGear has Jico and and you can find other replacement needles at numerous outlets.
neo

[MaxCast]

Thanks guys.  Jack, that is exactly what I'm looking for.  In fact I was looking at needledaddy1 you referred to me in a prior pm.
Thanks again and hope to make someone enjoy some vinyl.

[JackD]

Rich

Mark and Carole are both good dealers and generally have the same EVG styli in stock.  Carole is in Ok. so don't know if she might be quicker if it matters.  It appears that all Mark has in stock is the Pfanstiehl.