lpgear.com Reviews
About this CompanyWhere music starts. ™
Since 1995, LP GEAR® has been serving the record-playing community via the Internet. Ever since that time we have been enhancing the musical enjoyment of customers in North America and in many parts of Asia, Australia, and the European Community who otherwise would have been unable to enjoy music through their turntables. After all, how can one play a record via a belt-drive turntable without a working belt. We're being facetious but we do have a point don't we.
LP Gear continues its specialization on turntable belts—a unique service in that we have the most extensive variety of correct belts for turntables in the known planet. Since then, we've expanded our selection of cartridges, styli and needles. Our success in this area has transformed us into one of the planet's leading providers of replacement styli for magnetic cartridges. Consistent with our pursuit of perfect quality and superiority, we have become an OEM of world class cartridges and replacement styli. To serve the audio community even further, we are expanding our music reproduction portfolio to include select brands of audio electronics, tubes and accessories.
We enjoy music and are committed to perfecting your music listening experience. We take every component to its highest level of significance and strive for perfection. Within a music system, each part in the chain plays a role of highest significance.
LP Gear's history is intertwined with the resurgence of vinyl record playing and for this and other compelling reasons, we surmise: This is where music starts. ™
62 Product Ratings and Reviews
4.9
Overall Star
Rating
About this Company
Where music starts. ™
Since 1995, LP GEAR® has been serving the record-playing community via the Internet. Ever since that time we have been enhancing the musical enjoyment of customers in North America and in many parts of Asia, Australia, and the European Community who otherwise would have been unable to enjoy music through their turntables. After all, how can one play a record via a belt-drive turntable without a working belt. We're being facetious but we do have a point don't we.
LP Gear continues its specialization on turntable belts—a unique service in that we have the most extensive variety of correct belts for turntables in the known planet. Since then, we've expanded our selection of cartridges, styli and needles. Our success in this area has transformed us into one of the planet's leading providers of replacement styli for magnetic cartridges. Consistent with our pursuit of perfect quality and superiority, we have become an OEM of world class cartridges and replacement styli. To serve the audio community even further, we are expanding our music reproduction portfolio to include select brands of audio electronics, tubes and accessories.
We enjoy music and are committed to perfecting your music listening experience. We take every component to its highest level of significance and strive for perfection. Within a music system, each part in the chain plays a role of highest significance.
LP Gear's history is intertwined with the resurgence of vinyl record playing and for this and other compelling reasons, we surmise: This is where music starts. ™
Kenneth - 11/23/2019
what a big differents from the stock stylus
Michael - 11/18/2019
My Jico SAS stylus had worn and it was time to replace it. I went back to the original barely-used Shure stylus that came with the cartridge. It sounds so flat and muddy to me. Currently I couldn’t afford the Jico SAS so I took a chance on the LP Gear Vivid Stylus. I’m quite happy with it! Not quite as good as the Jico, but miles ahead of the stock Shure stylus. In fact some people might prefer this one as it’s not as bright sounding. I think it’s a great value.
Why LP Gear?
Good prices and large selection
Product Choice
It was a good price and lots of positive reviews.
11/18/2019 - ME
Nice clear description, good communication from the seller. Shipped quickly and arrived in perfect condition.
James - 11/15/2019
Excellent upgrade. When my stock stylus wore out, I decided to buy a micro line cartridge from a well known manufacturer. It sounded much brighter than the stock Shure, which was nice at first, but after a while got a little fatiguing. This stylus showed me the difference between bright and detailed. It does an amazing job of eliminating surface noise. It doesn't sound bright, but you hear great separation of the instruments and more intricate detail than with the stock Shure stylus. I would recommend this stylus to anyone who owns an M97xE cartridge.
Greg - 09/25/2019
I never bother to write reviews for products like this, but I swear the N97xVL the best ~$100 I have ever spent. Then I bought a spare. Love my vinyl collection, but there are a few albums I had given up on because they sounded lackluster; I just assumed they were bad pressings. I had been cranking the treble to tease some life out of them. But the OEM stylus had been the problem! I went for the xVL and, man... Night and day. I’m back to flat frequency response on my amp, and the sound and imaging just leap out of my speakers now. It hadn’t been something you could fix with equalization… the narrower shape of the new stylus is now simply picking up more information from the same groove. I can’t believe it never hit me until this experience — as critical as the cartridge is as a transducer, it can’t do anything without a stylus, which it turns out might even matter more than the cartridge. We all know there is a certain amount of mystery and imagination when you experience any analog product like this. Can I mention that I have reasonable musical chops and clinically-verified amazing hearing. I’m not making this stuff up, the N97xVL is an amazing step up and I’m glad I found it.
todd - 07/09/2019
Very nice sounding stylus better than the stock !
AnalogDog - 06/26/2019
I am a huge fan of the old V15VxMR. So when the discontinued it, I bought as many Shure styli for it as I could, and then went to JICO after I'd gone thru all those. Then JICO prices got out of sight, so I reluctantly put in this cartridge I'd bought as a back up back in 2005. While it clearly had the same familial sound, it sounded not quite as clean as the V15VxMR...that was with the stock stylus. Sounded like it had just a bit of fur on it. So I gave one of these replacements a try. Clearly a step up...subtly but significantly cleaner, clearer, more extended treble. Instruments a bit more vivid, a bit more present, and focused. The stock stylus made cymbals sound like a blast of white noise...you can start to hear the brass with this stylus. Not as good as a really good MC, but a step in that direction. What I'm hearing now is a lot closer to my old V15VxMR with the JICO stylus. Here's the thing...now that the 97xE has gone the way of the V15VxMR, prices are starting to go thru the roof, ridiculously so. You now no longer have to pay ANY more for this stylus than you do the stock Shure one, so at this price, it is TRULY a no brainer! Maybe one day I'll try the JICO replacement for the 97xE, but I doubt it's that much better. Highly recommended.
Why LP Gear?
They are the only ones selling this replacement stylus.
Product Choice
See above.
06/26/2019 - RI
Muy pronto shipment, good communication. I'll definitely use these guys again.
Patrick - 06/17/2019
Installed on my 30 year old Shure/Realistic V15RS. Wonderful sound, and a great value.
Why LP Gear?
Good products and information. Website is clean and easy to navigate.
Product Choice
Seemed like the "sweet spot" of affordability and good reviews.
06/17/2019 - WA
Fast efficient service. Great product.
Paul - 06/07/2019
Definite improvement over stock needle. Much brighter sound in my opinion
Why LP Gear?
They had the product I needed
Product Choice
Replace old needle
06/07/2019 - CA
Easy site
Rick - 03/30/2019
I hated the original shure stylus it was so dull sounding. This new stylus brings new life to this cartridge. I love it now.
Why LP Gear?
always a great experience
Product Choice
My Shure is horribly dull. I need a stylus that brings it back to life. Then, I will love it
03/30/2019 - CA
very easy to order and my ordered items get to be ver quickly.
Mark - 03/07/2019
Phenomenal sound. Excellent service & super fast shipping
Why LP Gear?
Price, fast shipping, long time customer
03/07/2019 - NC
Excellent service, fast shipping, very satisfied long time customer
William - 03/01/2019
Does what it says on the box :) Can't wait to get it broken in!
03/01/2019 - NC
Great shopping, super fast turnaround. For sure won't be my last purchase.
Michael - 01/07/2019
This is truly a great upgrade for my Shure M97xe. This is the second time I have upgraded to a Lpgear vivid line stylus and it won’t be my last. Great product! Thanks
Why LP Gear?
All my previous experiences with Lpgear have been great. I wouldn’t think of changing.
Product Choice
Good reviews and previous experience with this product line.
01/07/2019 - FL
As always LPgear has what I need at a great price.
John - 01/06/2019
Item arrived quickly. Great upgrade. Thanks again
Why LP Gear?
I've done business in the past, best price, always professional
Product Choice
Research, And was exactly what was needed to improve upon my system.
01/06/2019 - NJ
Always a pleasure to do business with Lp Gear. Thanks for your professional service!
Jim - 08/28/2018
this is an excellent alternative to the JICO SAS stylus, which has gotten very pricey.
08/28/2018
It's always a pleasure shopping at LPgear.
John - 07/09/2018
Very detailed sounding stylus that tracks great using Shure M97E cartridge. The fact it includes a brush like the original is a plus since they will pick up dust and reduce static
Christopher - 06/25/2018
Extremely fast shipping. QUALITY upgrade to original. Waiting for it to break in more. Not a significant difference in bass response yet, but hoping to hear after a period. Had purchased a replacement for another cartridge previously and pleased with the Vividline product. Thank you.
Why LP Gear?
Previously have purchased from the company. Excellent product.
Product Choice
Upgraded 1 cartridge with vividline stylus. Doing the same to my second turntable.
06/25/2018 - NY
Easy to navigate website and complete purchase. Very fast shipping. Product arrived much sooner than expected. Have ordered two products from the company thus far and have been pleased with both interactions with the company. Thank you.
Bob - 05/20/2018
Great upgrade stylus.
Why LP Gear?
Their house upgrade styli are very nice.
Product Choice
Their house upgrade styli are very nice.
05/20/2018
LP Gear is always easy to shop and have never had issues!
Jonathan - 04/30/2018
I put this on an older pmount cartridge. I had the Shure n97xe on it before and decided to give this a shot and so far it sounds great. running on a 1982 Technics SL-6
Why LP Gear?
Word of mouth
Product Choice
Upgrade for current cartridge
04/30/2018 - VA
Great
Sean - 04/12/2018
Sounds great!
Chris - 03/13/2018
Amazing quality audio coming from this guy. I replaced the stock Shure M97xE stylus after an accident that left it damaged. I was using my Ortifon 2m Red in the meantime while I waited for this stylus to arrive. Immediately upon putting it on my Shure cartridge, the sound stage opened up more than the 2m Red, the bass is tighter, the highs are clean and crisp without causing any fatigue all without sibilance too. Killer stylus that really showcases how good this cart is. Can't recommend enough.
Why LP Gear?
M97xE upgraded stylus that isn't a JICO stylus for a fraction of the price sounds like a killer option. Plus you have a great site with a huge selection!
Product Choice
Sadly, I damaged my stylus tonight and needed a replacement. When searching for upgrades for my family room LP60 I stumbled across your site because of your belt and stylus upgrade kit for that turntable. Bookmarked way back when and saw that you also carry a ton of other products that suit my needs for my "listening room" setup I knew I had to get my upgrades from your company.
03/13/2018 - CA
First time purchaser from your store, smooth experience with a snappy site host. Everything was in stock and site looks to be well maintained too so that's a plus!
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