Stanton 481A (early 1960s)
Documentation specifically on the Stanton 481A is thin. What the period record shows is a model in Stanton's 481 series of Stereo Fluxvalve phono cartridges - the magnetic pickups Stanton advertised heavily in late 1962 and early 1963. A full-page campaign in High Fidelity (December 1962, p.4) and Audio (January 1963, p.19) claimed the Stereo Fluxvalve was the pickup more people listened to stereo records with than any other. The same ads pitched the 481 as a new dimension in stereo reproduction.
The one substantial period appraisal touching the 481 series is a HiFi/Stereo Review (July 1963, p.35) report on the closely related Stanton 400AA. The review said the 400-series cartridges were essentially similar to the 481 series, lower in cost and with somewhat higher output. It also said both shared the same [the OCR cuts off at "V-"]. The 400AA measured roughly 4.2 mV output at 3.54 cm/sec. Its hum shielding was better than average, though the 481AA shielded even better. The review found the 400AA's listening quality essentially similar to the 481AA's - very smooth.
Beyond that, the record on the 481A itself is nearly empty. No dedicated spec sheet, price or production dates have been found.
- Stereo magnetic phono cartridge, Stanton Stereo Fluxvalve series
- Part of the 481 series; sibling 481AA documented in period reviews
- Advertised in High Fidelity and Audio, December 1962 – January 1963
- 481AA listening quality described as very smooth in HiFi/Stereo Review, July 1963
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