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Calling All Analog Gurus! What to do about my vintage Signet TK7LCa?


I just took a chance on buying a Signet TK7LCa cartridge on eBay to try with my new Allnic H1201 phono stage. I got it yesterday, checked the stylus (looks straight), and mounted it on my Well Tempered Amadeus. Unfortunately, the sound is dull, dull, dull regardless of what settings I use with the Allnic. I cleaned the stylus, so that is not the issue.

Am I correct in assuming that the stylus is just worn out and will need to be replaced? Are there other things I should try? What are my best options? What would you do?

Thanks in advance for any and all helpful tips. I continue to have high hopes for this cartridge despite this inauspicious debut.
128x128waltersalas
tooblue
1,918 posts
 
From the wording in your post it seems that you bought a used cartridge off ebay and that being the case it would be a shot in the dark at best, you also mention that the cart sounds dull no matter what setting you choose on the Allnic 1201. What other settings are available other than the moving magnet that you are trying? Hopefully you have access to another cart to try with your Allnic which is a very special phono stage. Good luck.

czarivey
5,931 posts
 
Assuming your stylus is OK, remove stylus and check if there's gunk where stylus connects to the magnets and clean it with alcohol. You can also dip your cartridge in alcohol bath.
I use microscope to ID the shape of stylus or you can download magnifier software onto your smart phone if you have one and visualize stylus tip wear. If it's dull, guess, it will sound dull and will need be replaced.

waltersalas's avatar
waltersalas OP
950 posts
 

Problem solved! I started from scratch, raised the VTA a smidge, re-cleaned the stylus, and reset all of the connections. Whatever was wrong is now right. It is as if two thick blankets have been removed from the speakers and the cartridge is now singing beautifully. I've got a little hum issue I still need to work on, but at least now I know the cartridge is not defective. Far from it!

My sincere thanks to all who weighed in with constructive comments.
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rauliruegas
13,003 posts
 
Dear @waltersalas : Good and good that you are " testing " the MM alternative. One important MM cartridge parameter to take in count for the " right " cartridge set up is the capacitance value where the MM always " react " to. So, making changes in MM cartridge load capacitance will change the cartridge quality performance levels and a must to try.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.


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rauliruegas
13,003 posts
 
Dear @acman3 : """  turned digital fan, Raul, saying they did not like it, """

maybe that is a misunderstood. I'm not a digital fan or analog fan but a MUSIC lover/MUSIC fan that recognise today that the digital experience is a true enjoying alternative to analog in more or less way the MM is a true alternative to LOMC one.

In reference to the Signet models what I said is that exist better vintage Signet model like the TK 10MK2 that it has better quality performance and that's all.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
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