The EPS-23CS SD is a replacement needle that performs identical to the original needle, not the factory needles produced by the manufacturer for use with National 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 N.36-P23 EPS-23CS TR.BLU (4951586255307).