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Miyajima Magnetism

I bought a used Miyajima Spirit MC Mono cartridge for playing 78 rpm records last year.  It works OK but it is heavily magnetized.  I noticed it right away when I tried to do set up and it pulled my screwdriver really hard against the side of the body.  The body is made from brass and plastic which are not magnetic so it is not the casing material that is the problem.  It sounds fine but I have the feeling it would sound better if the charge was removed.
Any idea of how to safely demagnetize the thing?  I see cartridge demagnetizers online but I am not sure they would solve this problem.
andysf
andysf OP
268 posts
 
Guess no one but me has that Miyajima Spirit!
lewm
12,515 posts
 
As I recall, it has a very narrow body when viewed on end.  Perhaps this is the reason its magnetic field is so evident when you bring ferrous materials near it.  But I guarantee you it's normal and/or perhaps exaggerated by a magnetized coil.  Why not carefully demag it and see what happens?  (I would consult the importer, Robin Wyatt, I think, before going ahead with that.)  However, generally a magnetized coil adds only a tiny bit to the field generated by the permanent magnet that makes the thing work as a transducer.
plastico's avatar
plastico
13 posts
 
The magnetism on my AT ART9 can pick up stray nails from a roofing job!So, I would assume your Miyajima Spirit is perfectly normal.Cheers, Doug
tempoelectric's avatar
tempoelectric
14 posts
 
I also have the 78 version of the Miyajima Spirit and it has the same highly magnetic pull that andysf mentions. It's just reflective of the strength of the internal magnet and is completely normal.

The Spirit sounds fine as is and I've never felt the need to use a demagnetizer. Of course, your experience may vary.
andysf OP
268 posts
 
@tempoelectric Thanks!  I just never had a cartridge with such a strong pull before so wanted to make sure.
Now all I need is one of your mono pre amps when the time is ripe...

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