Time to change the stylus?

[barrettsmall]

Hi there,

As a new convert to analogue, I am starting out with my existing Technics SL Q300. However, I suspect the stylus is worn because at loud punchy points on the record, I hear a crackle.

Is this a typical symptom of a worn stylus? If so, where should I get a new one? I was looking a Musonic as a possibility

I would really appreciate your expertise!

many thanks

Rich

[WJL]

Hi.
The cracklin sound is either a symptom caused by mistracking,or by a worn stylus.
Change it, and if it is a moving magnet one,you can do much worse than going for an entry level Audio Technica ,say,an AT 110.This model has a balanced sound,for the money.You can check the Ortofon range too.

WJL

[finkerbell]

If you have access to a laboratory microscope, it is not hard to examine a stylus for wear. You'll need a minimum of 100X magnification and an above-stage high-intgensity light.

Let me know if you are interested and I'll go on at length on the techniques for examination and what to look for.

[Mardeeb]

For Finkerbell

I would be very interested in learning more about what to look for, I have a microscope and have several crartridges that have been in storage for a number of years that I would like to determine the concition of, before I let them loose on my records.

Regards

Mardeeb

[barrettsmall]

Hi there,

I bought a new stylus for the deck but it the problem seems to persist in the higher frequency crescendos on this record. Perhaps the record I am listening to has dust or rubbish down in the groove, I've tried brushing it but to no avail. Could be a bad pressing? Unlikely with it being a Deutsche Gramaphon record. Anyway, thanks for your help!

Rich

[fini]

"Unlikely with it being a Deutsche Gramaphon record."

Rather, likely, according to this website:
http://members.aol.com/darrylhopkins/vi ... abels.html

I'm certainly no expert, though. Is this the only disc with which you experience this problem?

[finkerbell]

I am working on a tutorial for examining a stylus under the microscope. As soon as it is ready, I'll post it.

[barrettsmall]

That's a very interesting report on DG records. I have come to believe that it is the record at fault and not my stylus because it has easily handled other big sounds.

I bought the record (Chopin's Polonaises)second hand and although it was superficially fine, there are perhaps other problems with it). Overall, I have come to think other labels have better sound in my experience.

Thanks for your help.

[andyr]

I am working on a tutorial for examining a stylus under the microscope. As soon as it is ready, I'll post it.

Hi, John,

How's your tutorial coming along? I'd be interested in reading it when you've finished ... perhaps you could reply to my email: andy.redwood@telstra.com

Many thanks,

Andy

[finkerbell]

The tutorial is posted in the Articles section.

[RMA]

[quote="fini"]"Unlikely with it being a Deutsche Gramaphon record."

Rather, likely, according to this website:
http://members.aol.com/darrylhopkins/vi ... abels.html

Interesting link, I must agree with the comments about the variable phases of DG, but I feel his enthusiastic comments about Decca/London (I've only got personal experience of Deccas) could do with amplification.

During the 60's and early 70's, I don't believe anybody else even approached the musicality of many of the Decca releases. These were often produced with simple setups of two, or occasionally three, mikes and have a musicallity and spaciousness which I do not believe is possible with close up multi-mike, multi-track recordings. I certainly haven't heard anything in recent years which is comparible.

Regards and good listening
RMA