2. analog
  3. 177208-174039

Did I ruin my cartridge or my stylus? Or both?

Hi,

I recently played a vinyl record that came with one of my daughters dolls, we were curious about which kind of music was in the "record". There was no music, only loud distortion... I know :(

After that my records sound with a lot of bass. I played songs that I know really well and definitely is too much bass, sometimes even hurt the ears for a millisecond.

Do you think I fully damaged my 300 hours old Audio-Technica AT-VMN95ML? Only the stylus? Only the cartridge? 

I have made all the text book recalibration (VTF/Anti-skate, protractor, etc.) and cleaning. 

I use a Yamaha 500 turntable, a Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 Preamplifier (with matching settings for the VMN95ML) and the Klipsch R-41PM Powered speakers.

Thank you for your opinions!!!

 

alexco17
elliottbnewcombjr
5,469 posts
 

I will add, if it is ruined, rather than a new stylus for it, I would take the opportunity/advantage to upgrade to a cartridge with wider stereo separation and tighter channel balance, I think the AT540ml is a good choice

 

a similar sound with far better imaging.

 

alexco17 OP
1 posts
 

Hello, thank you very much everybody for the recommendations!!!

I always use the Audio Technica cleaning solution for stylus and a gel pad, so I think is more than a dirty stylus. 

I decided to try a new cartridge/stylus. I ordered the Ortophon 2M Blue before reading your suggestion Elliot. 

Problem solved!! Now my system sounds good again, a little different because of the 2M Blue.

Thanks again for your commenters!!!

edcyn
1,876 posts
 

Good listening!

More to discover