The D6800SL SD is a replacement needle that performs identical to the original needle, not the factory needle produced by the manufacturer for use with Stanton 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 ST.243-680SL WHT D6800SL (4951586421542).