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Stanton 981 LZS cartridge body and stylus housing for sale with no cantilever or stylus.The D98S stylus housing and broken cantilever stump are present, so perhaps a new cantilever and stylus could be grafted onto the existing cantilever stump.Sold as-is for repair or parts. Untested. Sale is final. No returns.Thanks for looking.
This is a buyer’s market for classic Stanton bodies, and US$99 for a 981 LZS is a fair-to-good buy if the cartridge is complete and the stylus is healthy. Comparable Stanton moving-magnet cartridge listings often land around the low hundreds in USD, with a well-preserved 681EEE package shown at US$250, so this asking price is comfortably below that kind of fully dressed premium listing, though the exact 981 LZS benchmark is harder to pin down from the title alone.
What makes it worthwhile is Stanton’s long reputation for solid tracking, punchy sound, and easy stylus swapping, so these older bodies can still be very rewarding on a good arm. The real value here is in an original, low-hour stylus and clean cantilever; if it comes with the original box, guard, or paperwork, that helps too. I’d buy with confidence at this level, but only after confirming stylus condition, since that’s the part that most affects both sound and total value.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Stanton Magnetics traces its roots to 1946, when it emerged from Pickering & Company in the United States, initially under the guidance of Norman C. Pickering and later formalized as a distinct brand in 1961. The company's breakthrough came with Walter O. Stanton's invention of the easily replaceable phonograph stylus, revolutionizing cartridge design by allowing users to swap worn needles without factory returns. This innovation bridged professional recording needs with burgeoning consumer audio markets, establishing Stanton as a pioneer in magnetic cartridges during the vinyl era.
Stanton's product lineup centers on professional DJ and turntable gear, including high-performance cartridges renowned for durability under heavy scratching, battle-ready turntables, DJ mixers, media players, controllers, and accessories like the innovative Final Scratch system for digital vinyl emulation. While early focuses were on broadcast-grade pickups, the brand evolved to dominate club and mobile DJ tools, eschewing broader hi-fi categories such as amplifiers, speakers, DACs, or headphones.
Today, Stanton holds a niche yet commanding position in the pro-audio DJ market as a mid-tier workhorse brand, trusted by club DJs, turntablists, and mobile performers for reliable, battle-tested performance over flash. With over 75 years of heritage—now under inMusic Brands since 2020—its gear appeals to pros seeking rugged value rather than high-end audiophile refinement or vintage collector status, cementing its reputation as the go-to for vinyl manipulation in live settings.
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