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Need Advice on Checking Stylus

Would appreciate some advice on how to check the condition of a stylus. My primary cartridges are the Soundsmith Zephyr and the Lyra Delos. I just bought a vintage pocket stylus magnifer (50x) for a couple of bucks. Ok, so what now?? I assume I'll need a good light source. Is a penlight flashlight enough, or shouold I buy something else?

Ok, when I get the proper light source and my stylus magnifer is delivered, what am I looking for? How can I estimate sylus condition and wear?? As I recall, the Zephyr has an elliptical stylus. The Delos is a micro-ridge contact line -- I think.

Thanks.
bifwynne
actusreus
733 posts
 
Fremer in his review of the Anna cartridge wrote that a worn-out [extreme contact] stylus should do no damage to the vinyl unless it's chipped. His logic was that a typical wear of the stylus simply makes it duller, not sharper. I've always wondered about this. Has there actually been a study to show this damage we audiophiles are taught to fear so much?
brf
1,715 posts
 
I use a USB digital scope which magnifies up to 750x. I took a picture of my stylus when new and now I take a picture every 6 months and compare it to the "new reference". If you are patient, you can overlay the two images for comparison purposes.
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
I do not replace a cartridge until I notice the high frequencies start to "droop" and details in the music diminish .

A worn out stylus has rounded edges, and does not damage the groove, like a new misaligned cartridge would. Michail Fremer is right.
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