Sumiko Rainier Cartridge

[davidscott]

Rega puts a rebadged AT3600l calling it a REGA Carbon on their Planar 1 and 2. One of the cheapest decent carts available. Actually, better than decent pretty good in fact. I have one on my Planar 3 but I have upgraded it with an LP Gear eliptical stylus upgrade by AT but I'm not sure if it sounds better that the original conical stylus.

 

[TLS Guy]

Rega puts a rebadged AT3600l calling it a REGA Carbon on their Planar 1 and 2. One of the cheapest decent carts available. Actually, better than decent pretty good in fact. I have one on my Planar 3 but I have upgraded it with an LP Gear eliptical stylus upgrade by AT but I'm not sure if it sounds better that the original conical stylus.

Your records will thank you if you use an elliptical stylus rather than spherical. The reason is that it more closely approximates the cutting stylus.

 

[davidscott]

Mostly agreed but from what I've read and my 40 plus years of experience with turntables sometimes conical styli can sound better with well used LPs and I have a bunch. Plus, you can get away with a higher tracking force. But the tradeoff is a much worse inner grove tracking ability and a general loss of fidelity under optimal conditions. Since I rarely play records these days, I think I'll keep (and use) both. Thanks TLS Guy.

 

[TLS Guy]

Mostly agreed but from what I've read and my 40 plus years of experience with turntables sometimes conical styli can sound better with well used LPs and I have a bunch. Plus, you can get away with a higher tracking force. But the tradeoff is a much worse inner grove tracking ability and a general loss of fidelity under optimal conditions. Since I rarely play records these days, I think I'll keep (and use) both. Thanks TLS Guy.

I don't see why a conical stylus should ever be better for any records in good condition. Fortunately I don't have any abused discs no matter what their age.