The N-44C IMPD is a replacement needle that performs identical to the original needle, not the factory needle produced by the manufacturer for use with SHURE 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 SH.192-44C IMP N-44C IMP LT.BLU (4951586260509).