AUDIO-TECHNICA ATN122LP Type BLISS™ Shibata

With its Shibata cut tip this Stylus most Closely resembles:

• AUDIO TECHNICA NEEDLE ATN-122LP ATN122LP and ATN142LP & ATN152LP Linear Contact Styluses.

Generally suggested for these high end cartridges:

• AUDIO TECHNICA CARTRIDGES 400LC/U 40LC/U AT-122LP AT142LP AT-142LP AT152LP AT-152LP AT122LP AT-405LP AT405LP AT-99SX AT99SX AT-U13L2 ATU13L2 AT-U4030LC ATU4030LC LS580/LT LS580/LTM LT131 M14LCU PM9000 SS550LC/U TC450LP TR485U VS245LP,  M14LC/U

But also serves as a very high end upgrade for any "212" type stylus in the related items section below.  For the best of the best see the 212-DnLC below.

You can now select the highly prized Shibata cut diamond tip as a replacement for any "212" style. Shibata is the absolute best aftermarket you can get in this "212" body style. The Shibata cut will bring out details you never even imagined existed on the record and will clearly bring forth information that is compressed away if you have listened to the same music in mp3 format. This Shibata tipped needle is completed in America of global components and will serve to transform any compatible cartridge with a lesser-equipped stylus into a high end playback solution capable of exceptionally faithful, clear and true sound reproduction.

For any type of quadraphonic (4-channel) record playback, be it of the discrete (CD-4) or matrix (SQ) variety, in addition to this quality Shibata stylus, the following components of a complete quad system must all be present and in working order:

1. A Cartridge sold originally as being capable of 4-channel playback.
   
2. A Record originally pressed with decodable information for channels 3 and 4 that is still in good condition. A record that is too worn will lose it's ability to provide the high carrier frequency needed for the amp to decode the rear channels even though you may still be able to hear the two primary left and right channels just fine. The record jacket will clearly advertise (brag) about this capability if it is present.
   
3. A receiver or amplifier with the needed circuitry which is still functional. Capacitors and edge-connector connections often fail in these circuits leaving them no longer capable of decoding the rear channels 3 and 4.
4. and of course 4 speakers hooked up correctly and situated in the 4 corners of a standard listening room.