(Setup: Rega P1 with KEF Q150's)
While I don't think the Rega Carbon had a bad stylus by any means, putting this one on was a game changer. Testing it on a recently purchased new LP, it felt like a filter had been removed from the music. Whereas the Rega Carbon had a warm and fun sound signature, the LP Gear stylus focuses on accuracy, which made the music sound more clear, articulate and vivid. It's really surprising what a singular focus on accuracy can do to bring music to life. The most significant difference was heard when I tested it on an original 1977 Fleetwood Mac Rumors pressing. With the Rega Carbon, it sounded relatively flat compared to the LP Gear stylus. The LP Gear stylus did much better at instrument/note separation and capturing more nuances in the music, making the album sound like a modern day pressing. I felt surrounded by the music and fully immersed. I've also tried an Ortofon 2M on another turn table and whereas that's focused on clarity almost to the extent where it can sound cold, the LP Gear Vivid Line stylus achieves the same level of clarity while still sounding inviting. I was also surprised to hear how it treated bass, very much present but in a rounded and softer way, like a pleasant rumble. I didn't want to mess with changing the cartridge itself so this was the perfect and best way to upgrade the sound on my system without the hassle.
LP Tunes was great in shipping it out right away and also gave me a complementary upgrade to a version with a stylus guard. Handy and very much appreciated! I'm a very happy customer, thank you LP Tunes.
