Stanton 500 AL or 750 AL are high quality, rugged and suited for the playing vintage records.  Since the fidelity of vintage 78s is poor compared to that of microgroove vinyl records, frequency response is not an issue.

More important than frequency response, is the ruggedness of the cartridge.  Vintage 78 recordings can be quite demanding on playback hardware.  The Stanton 500/750 cartridges will tolerate the high tracking forces (3.5 to 5 grams) required for proper playback.

The availability of appropriate styli for the particular application is also important. The Stanton 500 series meets this requirement.  Few other cartridges have such a wide variety of styli made especially for the restoration of vintage 78s.

The only difference between the 500 & 750 is the mounting design.  The 500 use a standard 1/2" mount while the 750 is a "P" mount. Both accept the same styli and both are designed to track at up to 5 grams.  Modern cartridges designed for newer microgroove recordings max out at 3 grams of force.

Specifications

500-II 500E MK II - Broadcast Standard Cart

  • Frequency Response 20 to 17 kHz

  • Output @ 1kHz: 4.6mV

  • Channel Separation @ 1 kHz: 28dB

  • Channel Balance @ 1 kHz: within 2 dB

  • Tracking Force: 2 to 5 grams

  • Stylus Tip: Spherical .7 mil Special High Polish

  • DC Resistance: 535 ohms

  • Inductance: 400 mH

  • Cartridge Weight: 5.5 grams

  • Tracking Ability: 80µ @ 3 grams

  • Recommended Load: 47 kOhms, 275 pF

  • Frequency Response 10 to 22kHz

  • Output @ 1kHz: 3.0mV

  • Channel Separation @ 1 kHz: 35dB

  • Channel Balance @ 1 kHz: within 2dB

  • Tracking Force: 1 to 2 grams

  • Stylus Tip: Elliptical 0.4 x 0.7 mil

  • DC Resistance: 535 ohms

  • Inductance: 400 mH.

  • Cartridge Weight: 5.5 grams

  • Recommended Load: 47 kOhms, 275 pF

  • Replacement Stylus: D50E MkII
Found a new in box for $13.50 on eBay.  

Manufacturer recommended settings for optimum performance with 500 series Stanton Cartridges:

  • "0" antiskate setting
  • "1" tone arm height setting without headshell weight
  • "2" if using extra weight
  •  2 to 5 grams stylus pressure setting.

Stylus:

  • Stanton D5127 Stylus - 78 Stylus For 500 Series cartridge, Stylus Type: 78RPM / 2.7 mil Elliptical (about $60)

33 and 45 RPM records:

D5100 - All Stanton cartridge and styli products can be used for playback of these records by using the standard 0.7 mil spherical, 0.4 x 0.7 mil or 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical styli supplied with the cartridge product.

78-RPM records:

All Stanton cartridges can be adapted to playback these records by the use of a 78-RPM replacement stylus. The replacement styli listed below are made for each family series of Stanton product and can be used in that specific family series, no matter the age of the cartridge.

  • Stanton D 5127 Stylus

    • Stylus Type: 78RPM

    • 2.7 mil Elliptical

    • V-Guard Protection
      Your Stanton Micro-Fluxvalve is equipped with the patented replaceable VGUARD stylus assembly that protects your record and diamond as it plays. To remove the V-Guard simply grasp the plastic housing between the tips of the thumb and forefinger and pull gently.

These replacement 78-RPM styli may be obtained from your local Stanton dealer and will easily replace the current stylus in your cartridge body. You may have to increase your tracking pressure in order to keep the 78-RPM stylus in the record groove at the higher 78-RPM speed. This is because the older 78-RPM records vary in their groove width and pressing characteristics.

Other styli:

  • Pfanstiehl Generic 4820-D3 Needle 78rpm

    • Tip Radius: 3 Mil

    • Tracking Force: 3 to 7 grams

    • Speeds: 78 RPM

    • Manufactured in: Switzerland.

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