The plot thickens…
According to one of the World’s top cartridge makers/builders/re-builders, acquired magnetic particulates inside the cartridge generator are not an occasional occurrence (as I would have thought and implied earlier) but a surprisingly COMMON occurrence…
Without wishing to replace one question with another we must look towards accessories or machinery which produce/”exhale” magnetic particulates such that the cartridge generator is in a position to “Hoover them up”. My opinion is that this could only happen easily if the source were proximal i.e. if the particulates were attached to or lying upon the vinyl surface whilst the cartridge passed over them.
I can’t see many turntable enthusiasts playing their vinyl with the lid off while someone uses a hammer drill on the wall above ;^)
Nor do I see anyone playing music whilst the vacuum cleaner flashes past the turntable, blasting hot air at it. ;^)
Turntable motors are generally shielded and highly magnetic inside, making it harder for magnetic particulates to escape (and then they would have to cover real distance to the cartridge).
Even accepting that the material might be conveniently located it isn’t THAT easy for the cart to absorb them because it is well encapsulated and there are barriers. The pull of the magnet IS powerful but there are obstacles.
Since the appearance of magnetic “crud” inside a cartridge is a confirmed FACT, where is this acquired material coming from?
The cartridge certainly isn’t spontaneously synthesizing it out of thin air otherwise cartridge builders would be seriously worried.
Answers/theories on a postcard please. ;^)
