SPU People: I love my Royal N. Which SPU will I like even better?

It depends on what you’re after. The Royal is one of the more ‘modern’ sounding SPU’s, using an advanced stylus profile (Gyger Replicant 100). If you want to pursue this modern sound (in terms of detail retrieval, soundstaging, etc.) the Royal is probably your best bet in the current lineup. Perhaps the 100th Anniversary SPU (with Shibata tip) goes beyond this, but I haven’t heard it.

You have to be aware there are also folks who are devoted to the ‘old’ SPU sound, represented by the SPU Classic in the current line-up. This has a spherical tip that limits frequently range and detail retrieval, but offers a sonic presentation that some people adore.

Most of the other SPU’s are somewhere between this old (Classic) and modern (Royal) approach, using an elliptical stylus and different coil wires and suspension designs. In my opinion the earlier Anniversary models (A85, A90 and A95) offer the best of both these worlds. They were limited series and are long deleted, so only available on the used market. This obviously has a certain risk, but Ortofon does offer complete rebuilds for these models, at a price.

@edgewear, the Replcant 100 is a much more advanced profile than the shibata. It tracks with less noise and set up correctly causes less record wear.

@dhcod , as edgewear suggests you are better off looking at cartridges with advanced stylus profiles. If you like Ortofon the Windfeld Ti and MC Diamond are great examples. The MC Diamond is a great cartridge for higher mass tonearms. There are many others out there from companies like Lyra, MSL and Soundsmith. I know all three of these companies use excellent styluses because I have looked at them. I'm sure there are others that I have not experienced. 

Another thing about styluses, not all styluses of a given type are created equally. I have become reasonably certain that styluses like other diamonds are graded. The ones that are not absolutely perfect are not thrown away, they are used in less expensive cartridges. Like anything else, you get what you pay for.

@mijostyn I’m aware Replicant 100 is considered to be more ‘advanced’ than Shibata, but we must assume Ortofon selected this profile for a reason in their ‘statement’ SPU Century. Of course they could just as easily have picked the highest grade Replicant instead. Perhaps use of the Replicant combined with the other modernised design elements of the Century would have put it outside the desired SPU sonic spectrum. 

Actually I didn’t suggest to go look for a more modern approach with an advanced stylus profile for high resolution. That’s not what the SPU is about. If that’s what the OP is after, there are other and much better alternatives, both from Ortofon and others (as you mentioned). 
 

Thanks for the info. I think I'm looking for more of a taste of the old SPU sound. I have an SL15 so I know what that it. It sounds like I should be looking for one of the Anniversary models!

Perhaps it helps to give some idea of how these Anniversary models sit inside the SPU sonic spectrum. The A85 is the most ‘classic’ with a very ‘ballsy’ presentation. It has a higher output than most other SPU’s, which could be a welcome feature in some systems. Actually, the SPU Synergy in the current line up is based on the A85. A similar sonic presentation, but without the very handsome lacquered beechwood body. The SPU A90 and A95 feature some of the innovations from the ‘normal’ A90 and A95 counterparts, including laser ‘printed’ bodies in stainless steel and titanium. These are more ‘modern’ sounding systems, yet without sacrificing the SPU character. My personal favourite of these three is the A90. It goes without saying that all SPU’s sound best with an appropriate step up transformer, the choice of which will greatly determine the final results. Enjoy the ride!