Newbie seeking SQ stylus

[jdr5q]

I'm fairly acquainted with the realm of quad 8 tracks, but am just now branching out into LPs--I had no idea of the complexities involved! (Makes 8 tracks seem almost boring...) Anyway, I have a Sansui direct drive (model FR-5080) and am primarily looking for an SQ stylus, since I listen primarily to classical music, and this appears to be the encoding method of choice, at least for Angel/EMI, which appear to have put a lot of good material out. Short of going to Bluz Bros. and forking over $200, anyone have a stylus for sale?

 

[Quadzilla]

I'm fairly acquainted with the realm of quad 8 tracks, but am just now branching out into LPs--I had no idea of the complexities involved! (Makes 8 tracks seem almost boring...) Anyway, I have a Sansui direct drive (model FR-5080) and am primarily looking for an SQ stylus, since I listen primarily to classical music, and this appears to be the encoding method of choice, at least for Angel/EMI, which appear to have put a lot of good material out. Short of going to Bluz Bros. and forking over $200, anyone have a stylus for sale?

You don't need any special equipment (cartridge or otherwise) to play back SQ LPs. My preference is Ortofon or Audio Technica, and Nagaoka and Goldring are pretty decent also. I am not sure what mounting your tonearm needs, since I am not familiar with your turntable, but there are lots of decent Audio Technica units on eBay all the time. I bought a 1/2 inch mount AT130E (that seems to work quite well with CD-4 LPs also) for less than US$30 a bit ago. Good luck, and welcome to our little slice of paradise. Mike.

 

[jdr5q]

You don't need any special equipment (cartridge or otherwise) to play back SQ LPs. My preference is Ortofon or Audio Technica, and Nagaoka and Goldring are pretty decent also. I am not sure what mounting your tonearm needs, since I am not familiar with your turntable, but there are lots of decent Audio Technica units on eBay all the time. I bought a 1/2 inch mount AT130E (that seems to work quite well with CD-4 LPs also) for less than US$30 a bit ago. Good luck, and welcome to our little slice of paradise. Mike.

Wow, am I out of my league. When you say "mount"--does this mean a component to the stylus, or cartridge? What does one use as search terms on eBay? If I feed out of the turntable into my 8 track player, I should reproduce the 4 channel effect, right?--by saying I don't need any special equipment, you mean I can keep the standard cartridge *and* needle? Excuse the ignorance...with 8 tracks all 'ya do is stick it in the slot....

 

[Quadzilla]

Wow, am I out of my league. When you say "mount"--does this mean a component to the stylus, or cartridge? What does one use as search terms on eBay? If I feed out of the turntable into my 8 track player, I should reproduce the 4 channel effect, right?--by saying I don't need any special equipment, you mean I can keep the standard cartridge *and* needle? Excuse the ignorance...with 8 tracks all 'ya do is stick it in the slot....

Do a few searches in this forum to see what is required to play quad LPs. In short, your 8-track player is not likely to be much help to you. There is a LOT of good info here, and I am just not sure where to start. As for the cartridge "mounting", is there a headshell that plugs into the end of the tonearm with a round collar on the end that you tighten, or is there one tiny screw that holds it in place? What shape is the tonearm? Straight? S-shaped? If you could post a picture, that would help.

 

[jdr5q]

Do a few searches in this forum to see what is required to play quad LPs. In short, your 8-track player is not likely to be much help to you. There is a LOT of good info here, and I am just not sure where to start. As for the cartridge "mounting", is there a headshell that plugs into the end of the tonearm with a round collar on the end that you tighten, or is there one tiny screw that holds it in place? What shape is the tonearm? Straight? S-shaped? If you could post a picture, that would help.

I do know what I'm up against in terms of decoders/amps--but my understanding is that some 8T units with internal amps can power turntables? I've received differing opinions on this...I'm attaching a photo.....the cartridge is a Pickering "TLE"

 

[BD-4 CD-4]

I do know what I'm up against in terms of decoders/amps--but my understanding is that some 8T units with internal amps can power turntables? I've received differing opinions on this...I'm attaching a photo.....the cartridge is a Pickering "TLE"

Your Pickering "TLE" will do a fine job playing "SQ" albums. No need for another cartridge/stylus for "SQ" or "QS" albums.

If I feed out of the turntable into my 8 track player, I should reproduce the 4 channel effect, right?--

Does your 8 track player have "PHONO" inputs? Does it have an "SQ" decoder built in, in order to decode the rear channels?