The Rega Apheta 3 would be a contender if you value detail and accuracy. I have the Aphelion 2 now and love it. It replaced the Apheta 2 which was great as well.
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I have the Sumiko Songbird on my VPI Scout running through the Stellar Phono Pre and absolutely love it - damn near to wearing it out already too. Great detail, lovely warmth to it.
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Weirdest thing, and might not want it to color your preferences or purchase plans, but I have a Denon 301 MKII and the stylus just broke off the cantilever. It’s 3 years old and on a secondary system; maaaaaybe 30 hours on it. (Maybe 30 albums total, so less than 30 hours, really.)
Was listening to a good album (no issues) and it was fine and all of a sudden it went hideously static. Stylus just gonzo.
Probably out of any kind of warranty due to its age, but I was really surprised it happened. No damage, I’m very careful with things.
Sounded good while it lasted, tho. 
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harrumph! Have you ever used a stylus cleaning fluid? Many styli are glued into the cantilever. And some fluids can compromise the glue, even if the fluid is labeled as stylus cleaner.
Rarely, but i do have one of those Onzow gel things. (I’ve heard the horror stories!)
Records are usually really clean, so all i do is blow on the thing if I see a little fuzz.
Anyway, too bad because that Denon was a nice-sounding cart. (Probably not cost-efficient to get re-tipped tho.)
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If you’re curious about a re-tip, try VAS Vinyl Audio Science. They’re excellent and very reasonably priced. If you call them, Steven will give you a quote over the phone—typically.
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yeah, i did have my Ortofon MC20 retipped a few years back. Andy Kim. Great work.
I think that was in the $400 range, basically the same price as a new Denon.
I used the MoFi Stylus cleaner years ago and it led to some build up / gunk on my Rega Apheta 2 that was like epoxy. I actually traded the Apheta in for the Aphelion due to this issue. Only use the Onzow gel and no issues for years now.
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I use a dry artist’s brush—which annoys the hell out of the dry artist.
Occasionally, I’ll settle the stylus onto a DS Audio ST-50–or sometimes a Magic Eraser.
A fine suggestion.
Sorry to learn of the Denon failure. I run a Denon 304 for more years than I can count without issue. I have cleaned the stylus with (1) signet ultrasonic cleaner, (2) Linn jewelers paper, (3) Oznow, (4) Magic Eraser, (5) Discwasher brush, no issues. I am ready for an upgrade as I’d like to try something different. BTW the 304 is log out of production. Plays nice with an Ittok tone arm.
Stylus cleaning?
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I’m staying away from this one! Pun intended!
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Ha, a steady hand is an advantage, that and keeping the feather duster in check!
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It’s not going to happen Al don’t worry.
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This is my ultrasonic stylus cleaner.
I use a small amount of urine from a sample bottle that Brian Eno provided me as the cleaning fluid.
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I have that same bottle, as well as his first Oblique Strategy cards. I use those to determine which stylus cleaning protocol will be in effect. Yes, that is MOL a bigger version of the one I have. These days I prefer the bottle of sweat from Lou Reed’s performance of Heroin with the Velvet Underground. The music gradually comes into focus with time.
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I fully understand and appreciate all of that!
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With time that too shall fade…
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Speaking of Lou, Edgar Choueiri, the man behind BACCH did an article in the latest Absolute Sound that he wrote with Laurie Anderson. I just texted him a minute ago to see if he knew Lou.
I love Lou. Laurie, not so much.
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