How do you tell your Cartridge needs replacing?
I know this is a stupid question but I don't know how to answer it. I have a Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 on a MT-2 player. Came with it. Probably , 4 years old now. The first 2 years I was not cleaning records but have been for the past 2 years. I have no equipment beyond my ears to measure degradation of the stylus. Seems to me that the intervals between cleaning of the stylus due to muffled sound are getting shorter. That is all I can say. Maybe my brain is adapting to the sound degradation over time and what I would not consider abnormal 4 years ago is now normal. Anyways, I suspect the easy answer is just to replace it and listen but was wondering if there is any other advice out there. Thx.
https://www.gcaudio.com/tips-tricks/how-long-will-my-stylus-last/ https://www.sound-smith.com/articles/stylus-shape-information We believe that styli should be checked carefully by microscopic exam by someone who knows what to look for at 1000 hours, as that is the typical maximum life for a properly aligned stylus |
OP, keep a log of how many record sides you play over a month or so and assume each one is 20 min or .33 hours. then estimate the accumulated hours on your cartridge based on your record playing habits. If it is upwards of 1500 hrs or so have it inspected by a qualified dealer. I had a cartridge inspected at 1200 hours and it had a lot of life left according to the dealer. |
You could also get a test record that has increasing modulation levels (loudness) and you could note when you hear the onset of mis-tracking and how severe is that mis-tracking. Later, you can compare that result to what you hear when you are looking for signs of aging. The problem with a visual inspection by even a qualified dealer is that such inspection will not reveal when the suspension is going bad. The rubber ring around the cantilever that damps unwanted vibration can go bad even if the stylus is not played, so it is possible that the cartridge has gone bad long before wear even begins to show. To me, listening remains the best way to determine wear. |
Not many of us have the skills and experience to determine by inspection the condition of a stylus except in the most severe cases of wear, even with a microscope designed to do the job. I include myself as lacking such skills, and I do own a suitable instrument. Send it to a reputable retipper for evaluation. I do realize it’s a bit like asking a fox to guard the hen house. |
Happily Audio Technica has a program to check and clean for $40. or sell me a new replacement cartridge for less than half price I sent my AT33PTG/II in, expect to hear from them soon. got this response when I asked them "Hello Elliot,
You can return it for inspection, cleaning, and testing. The cost is $40.00 plus shipping. If it is worn and needs replaced, we do offer a trade in program for moving coil cartridges. You can trade in your cartridge for a new cartridge at a discounted replacement cost. Your cartridge will be destroyed. Here is the replacement cost for a new AT33PTG/2. The cost doesn’t include the return Fed Ex shipping.
AT33PTG/2 $262.43
You will find our ATUS Service Policy, complete repair return instructions and a downloadable form to be enclosed with the repair return at: https://www.audio-technica.
Sincerely,
Jim
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