PICKERING D 625 E ivory | BLACK DIAMOND
Seems quite brightly tuned and is very dynamic. It offers a great three-dimensionality, the foundation (bass) is a bit soft. Nevertheless, the sound is unobtrusive, even at higher volumes, but a slight but forgivable impurity in the vocal range becomes audible. In any case, a good needle for this price range.
Contact force: 2.3 g – 2.7 g with besom (2.5g ≙ approx. 1.32 g contact pressure on the diamond)
Pickering D 625 E SWISS
Plays almost identically to the BLACK DIAMOND and shows a bit more accuracy in the limit range. The foundation is slightly leaner and perhaps lacks some harmony compared to the BLACK DIAMOND. All in all, however, good.
Contact force: 2.3 g – 2.7 g with besom (2.5g ≙ approx. 1.32 g contact pressure on the diamond)
XV 15/1800S | SHIBATA [ JC ]
The needle offers fine trebles, the stage seems very closed and differentiated, the position of the individual instruments can be located very well. Even at high volumes it sounds fascinatingly unobtrusive and “honest”. In the bass it is very contoured, impulsive and precise, but overall a bit more reserved. Probably the most realistic reproduction of all the tested needles and thus very close to the HIGH END range. Test winner!
Contact force: 2.05 g – 2.45 g with besom (2.25 g ≙ approx. 1 g contact pressure on the diamond)
Setup from 11/19/2022:
Thorens TD 126 MK III with SME 3009 Series II, AVM V 30 with XLR on active Dynaudio BM 5 MK III
Setup from 12/7/2022:
Thorens TD 124 with SME 3009, VTL D Luxe, SINO VT on KLIPSCH Belle K-457
