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Stanton 881S MM Phono Cartridge retipped with a new tapered hardened lightweight aluminum-magnesium alloy cantilever and new Ogura Vital PE true ellipsoid hyperelliptical line contact diamond stylus.Original box, stylus guard, manual, mounting hardware (No Calibration Sheet and Longhair Brush - broken hinges).The original stylus was retipped with new tapered hardened lightweight aluminum-magnesium alloy cantilever and new Ogura Vital PE true ellipsoid hyperelliptical line contact diamond stylus by Joseph Long aka Groovetickler.Channel separation: 40db.Serial number: E7462About Stanton 881S/////////////////////////Stanton's 881S Professional Calibration Standard represents the first in a development of a whole ~ generation of cartridges. Its whole design concept is based on producing a cartridge which would have the highest possible ability to protect records.This requires a brand new tip shape ... the 881 has it ... it is the Stereohedron®. This demands a brand new magnet .. . the 881 has it . .. a magnet of an exotic rare earth compound, which, because of its enormous power, is far smaller than ordinary magnets. It also is positioned closer to the center of rotation for low inertia.This requires a brand new construction principie .. . the 881 has it .. . in this instance, it's an improved patented suspension. This new construction principle plus all the features mentioned earlier produce a cartridge whose performance is beyond compare.The Calibration Concept was an outgrowth of the needs of the recording industry .. . for a cartridge of sufficient sophistication to be used as a primary calibration standard in system checkouts for linearity and equalization .Stanton succeeded in producing such a cartridge as is evidenced by the almost universal acceptance of calibration standard cartridges by engineers, music critics and musicians.Specifications:///////////////////Stylus Type : Nude StereohedronStylus Tracking Force : 1 gram ≤ 1⁄4Setting with Brush: : 2+-1⁄4Response : 10 Hz to 25 kHz (Individually calibrated to 20 kHz)Output : 0.9 mV/cm/secChannel Balance : 1dB maximum difference @ 1 kHzChannel Separation : 35 dBOu Cartridge D. C. Resistance : 900 ohmsCartridge Inductance : 510 mHLoad Resistance : 47K ohmsLoad Capacitance : 275 pF including arm leads cables and amplifierReplacement Stylus : D81S/ D81II-S
US$549 is ambitious for a Stanton 881S unless it’s verified near-mint with a genuinely strong stylus and full original kit; the market examples here cluster more around US$300–US$475, with a seller even calling out US$400 as a standalone figure and a sold Reverb listing at US$475. At this ask, I’d want proof that the stylus is healthy and original, because the price is already above the usual enthusiast range.
The 881S is well regarded for its smooth, refined moving-magnet sound and classic Stereohedron stylus profile, so a clean one can still be a very worthwhile cartridge if you want top-tier vintage MM performance. The upside here is collector appeal and the chance to land a respected high-end Stanton in usable condition; just make sure the stylus wear, channel balance, and included accessories justify paying above the common used level.
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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