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Stylus bent - AT120E/T, Technics 1200

Bad day...

For a while now, I've been trying to find the source of sssssemblence and tracking issues in my setup. It's all very subtle so I would hit-and-miss make some change to VTF, anti-skate and arm height. My though all along was that it was a setup issue.

However, I was reading through some past threads and started to really focus on the cart itself. Wouldn't you know it... it seems the stylus is bent.

Pics here:

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah131/minestaken-22/IMG_1350_zpsfb68f5f8.jpg

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah131/minestaken-22/IMG_1348_zps90115144.jpg

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah131/minestaken-22/IMG_1351_zpsecc43582.jpg

So first, I assume this is not fixable? Second, if it's not, what do I replace it with? The same? Upgrade the whole cart?

This is quite troubling as I have been looking at this for over a couple months never thinking it was a cart issue. I haven't played alot of records, but *sigh* I hope I haven't done any damage to my stuff...

Thoughts?
128x128martinman
martinman's avatar
martinman OP
93 posts
 
Guys - thanks for the help. I bought the 1200 used and just am now noticing some strangeness with playback. The cart just wasn't tracking well for the past few months so I finally started to look into things (i've had it for a year).

Long story short, I ran through a setup - protractor setup, cart alignment, azimuth, vtf, vta, anti-skate and got things back to somewhat normal. I still notice some slight distortion on my test records during the complicated pass. This is the test record i"m using:
http://www.discogs.com/No-Artist-An-Audio-Obstacle-Course-Shure-Trackability-Test-Record/release/1204935

Has some very slight problems with orcestral bell tracks.
czarivey
5,928 posts
 
I was able to gently straighten out stylus using tweezers.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
An AT120E stylus replacement is just $69.95 from LpGear. Given your other thread about upgrading from an SL1200, it's this bent cantilever that's driving you crazy and making a good setup impossible.

You bought it used anyway. These kinds of rough edges can be expected. Replace the stylus.
martinman's avatar
martinman OP
93 posts
 
Hi Johnnyb53 -- Thanks for your input. I've been following your thread on the AT150MLX cart and respect your option quite a bit. After I ran though the setup, things sound better, but not perfect. The stylus is still a skew slightly though. I suppose that this could be contributing to the issue?
bflodave
22 posts
 
upgrade to an AT150MLX, try LPGear
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