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Headshell wire broke

Hi to everyone on the forum. I am new to this hobby and would like to ask for any suggestions on how to solve my problem. I recently bought a Nottingham Interspace Jr with an Ace Interspace arm here at Audiogon. I decided to change the cartridge today. While I was able to unplug all the wires without causing any damage, I somehow broke the white wire while plugging it in to the new cartridge. My question is whether it is safe for me to solder the wire myself or should I send it in. I prefer to do it myself (need to save money for x-mas and spring semester), but not sure if doing so will change the sound or do more harm. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
rangefinder
albertporter's avatar
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albertporter
4,949 posts
 
Since you are asking, I assume you have no experience soldering tonearm leads?

Look first to see if the leads are connected by push on terminals at the headshell and cartridge. If so, remove and replace all headshell leads with a better set. Solder problem solved and (likely) better sound.

If soldered at headshell, maybe another headshell with new leads will fit the arm? Last, if soldering the broken lead turns out to be the best option DO NOT solder it while connected to the phono cartridge.

If you lived near me, I would do this for free. Would not take five minutes and I have a high quality Hakko solder station and several kinds of solder.
mosin
410 posts
 
Hi Albert,

For those who may not know, a Hakko soldering station is virtually a "must Have" for audiophiles. I don't know what I did before I got mine.
rangefinder OP
18 posts
 
Hi Albert,
Thanks for your response and offer to help. I looked at your profile and it's very impressive, I think its cool that you are a photographer. My grandfather was a serious hobbyist and liked birding and still life photograpahy. My biggest fantasy is to become a photojournalist for Magnum. Lol! Anyway, back to the topic. The thing is the arm and headshell is one piece and I cannot see far enough into the arm tube to see how they are connected, but they are push on terminals at the cartridge.
I am also wondering if it would be a good idea to completely rewire the tonearm and in the process replace the current leads with something more subsantial. What do you think?
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