New Cartridge installed

[SoundGuyDave]

I got the new Stanton 681EEEMKII Installed last night. My first impression was damn, this is hard to install. I don't know if anyone has experience with these but it install with these plastic mounts that are impossible to screw on to the turntable. And the brush takes some wiggling to get into place correct. But once I got it in and installed, I really liked the sound compared to the goldring elan I had. It tracks much better and I noticed a much cleaner sound overall. Everything seemd louder and more present in the soundstage. I played with the tracking force, as much as a half of gram either way, but didn't notice a huge difference. Anybody have any input on the differences on tracking forces?

[slate1]

I usually run carts on the heavy end of the recommended VTF for the first 20-30 hours, then dial it in by ear after that. You'll probably notice some changes in sound over the first 20-30 hours. The treble opened up a bit on my Stanton after about 10 hours and it's still "going through the change" as the suspension loosens up.

I switched it out last night for the Ortofon cart because my curiousity got the best of me. I'm probably going to remount the Stanton this weekend and let it play for a at least 10-20 more hours so I can see what it's really got.

Glad you're enjoying the 681. The KAB/Stanton Groovemaster II AE is the first Stanton I've ever owned (had Goldrings, Grado, Dynavector, Rega, Audio Technica, etc. in the past) and I'm mighty impressed myself. The 681 should run a lot quieter in the groove than the Elan too.

[SoundGuyDave]

Any idea why it was so damn had to screw on? The goldring slid on and off pretty easy but the stanton didn't want to mount.

[slate1]

I'm not sure I understand how it mounts with regard to the "plastic" piece you're talking about. That's the cart in the picture - right? Do the mounting bolts not just go do through the headshell and through the metal notched flanges on top of the cart?

Or are you saying the mounting bolts themselves were plastic - I have seen that and would imagine that they would be hard to work with.

[SoundGuyDave]

There are two plastic mountiing pieces that fit into the metal flange on the cart, the screws are metal. It was very hard to screw in, I was worried about bending the tonearm or the cart itself. I was tempted to use the metal nut and bolt from the goldring but stuck what they provided.

[royphil345]

Some of the older style Stantons I've used had small plastic pieces that the screws went into and fit into notches on the cartridge mount (instead of using metal nuts). Think that's what he's talking about. Was kind of awkward and the screws are hard to start because I don't think the plastic pieces are pre-threaded. Be careful not to put too much pressure on the cartridge mount. I had one that was badly spot-welded on and broke. Threading the plastic pieces with a screw before actually trying to mount the cartridge may help. That KAB / Stanton with the integrated headshell is sounding even better to me now!!!

[rockecat]

Make sure you don't have them upside down ,the bigger hole on top.

[SoundGuyDave]

I thought that, but it is rightside up. Like he said, the plastic mounts probably weren't pre threaded.

[rockecat]

Those little thingamabobbits came with mine to, but on my Technic headshell
you don't use them I always miss all the fun.