the best needle out ther are shure m44-7.

highest output level 9.5mV compared to around 6mV on others, they have the best skip resistant properties(thats why qbert etc use em). and the freq responce is pretty much the same as others like concordes..

And they aint that expensive....

75 a pair from www.decks.co.uk (sapphires)

http://www.decks.co.uk/products/carts_styli/shure/m447

and they dont wear out your records as much if you get into skratching.

with my old ones- stantons you got left with a fuzzy sound after skratching the same point on a record alot.

dont know about other needles and ther wear on records as ive not used em but shure are GREAT......

Pretty much all the best dj or turntablists on the planet use them, and for a reason........they are the best and stand up to the job.

go compare specs between these and the top range concodrs for example.

http://www.ortofon.com/html/profile.html = 139 a pair....

http://www.needlz.com/selectionguides/sel-djphono.asp 75 a pair.

id say the shures...... never a prob with low volume records and NEVER skip........