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Break-In Unused Cartridge with Old Stylus? New Stylus in Old Body? Problems Encountered?

Break-In of Old Unused Cartridge???? Old Stylus? New Stylus in Old Body??? Problems Encountered???

The 2 separate considerations seem to be old stylus suspension, and body internals.

I found this from 2015

"griffithds
  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 124
    Re: Clearaudio MM -- AT-95E and beyond« Reply #1133 on: 26 Jun 2015, 03:31 am »Hi Neo.

    I completely agree with your comment in regards to this required ’mini’ break-in after a cartridge has sat for a while . Some of you may be asking yourself, just how long is this
    ’for a while’. Well, I had cartridges that don’t sound quite as I remember them sounding only after a couple of days of this sitting. Others take several weeks before this same effect takes place. To me, the cartridges sound is a bit thin until it ’re’ settles in. I can not say for sure that it is the suspension that is making the change from sitting, or if it is the coil wire being energized when placed back into use. I do know of some audiophiles that will not even move their speaker wire for fear of having to ’re’ break them in. A lot of Voodoo in this hobby of ours but I do know what I hear. Something does definitely change in the sound of a cartridge when it sits.
    Regards, "
    ......................................................

    What have you experienced resurrecting un-used cartridges? original un-used stylus? new stylus in old body?

    Regrets getting new Stylus for Old Cartridge?

    Just get a new cartridge with new Stylus?
    ....................................

    I ordered new Shibata Stylus for my Shure V15VxMR body which has been unused for a very long time. It’s not about the stylus rubber, but the body internals in this case.

    I probably will get a new Shibata for Old Victor Z1S body after it get’s here, same internals only issue.

    Both issues: I’m using my Old Unused AT440ML with it’s original Stylus, so it’s about stylus suspension and internals in it’s case. Note: dried crud on diamond and cantilever, it took repeated cleanings, finally electrical contact cleaner rinsed with alcohol worked, looks like original now.

    Sounds great on clean LP’s, I was not aware of this ’mini-break-in' idea, so haven’t been paying attention. Only around 20 hours since resurrected. I will move it to my new Lustre GST-801 arm when assembled. I will pay more attention then.

    I'll pay attention to the Shure when new stylus arrives.

    .......................

    So many layers involved using great but weathered stuff.


    elliottbnewcombjr
    elliottbnewcombjr OP
    5,485 posts
     
    I am asking about UN-USED Old Stock, being used after many idle years.

    Stylus: perhaps stylus suspension stiffening, rotting, dissolving? 

    Body: cartridge internals changing?
    millercarbon's avatar
    millercarbon
    12,531 posts
     
    chakster wrote:
    Not sure what what is the question,

    Indeed. What is the question?
    elliottbnewcombjr OP
    5,485 posts
     
    Break-In of Old Unused Cartridge???? Old Stylus? New Stylus in Old Body??? Problems Encountered???

    The 2 separate considerations seem to be old stylus suspension, and body internals.

    ........................................

    problems encountered?

    anything relevant to say?
    chakster's avatar
    chakster
    6,144 posts
     
    Stylus is DIAMOND - the hardest material and since it’s NEW (NOS) you’re fine even if it’s 100 years old.

    Suspension damper is rubber, some old cartridges are notorious for suspension problems (for example Technics cartridges). Some cartridges are just fine, because the formula is different, depends on the manufacturer.

    Normally a cartridge body with bad suspension will fall down on your record after you will play one side of the LP. The suspension damper normally softened over the years, not getting stiffer. Well, maybe some high compliance cartridges getting a bit stiffer, but it is not as bad as the softened suspension damper.

    Softened suspension/damper can not resist even 1.2g of the tracking force, those cartridges getting lower and lower until almost fall down on the records surface. You can’t do anything about it, such cartridges must be avoided, just don’t buy them, ask seller to check and confirm the condition of the damper. This is one of the reason why tested cartridges are better than sealed/unused samples. But again, we have learned over the years which cartridges must be ignored, because most of them have softened dampers (Technics cartridges are the worst in this aspect, for example).

    Some clever design such as Audio-Technica allow a vendor to tune the tension wire with a little screw right inside the stylus assembly. 

    Some sellers have no idea what they are selling, what is a suspension or damper, why it is softened etc. Many sellers just play fools and can’t answer the simple questions. Don’t buy vintage cartridges from them.



    elliottbnewcombjr OP
    5,485 posts
     
    Thanks. How is Victor's old suspension
    More to discover