The PN-291 SD is a replacement needle that performs identical to the original needle, not the factory needles produced by the manufacturer for use with Pioneer record cartridges. This replacement needle is a "synthetic diamond needle" type. This is a generic model that plays a regular range of sound ranges, with a standard conical shape. General life is about 200 hours. The successor to the P.53-291 PN-291 GRY (4951586332374).