They laughed until the DIY retips started to play

by **Paladin** » 18 Nov 2009 02:49

bakelite2 wrote:Do you have Skype on your computer?

Sorry, no. I guess I should figure out what that is. I'm too old fashioned.

by **bakelite2** » 18 Nov 2009 07:04

Skype is a free computer program you download and speak to whoever you want for as long as you want for free. I have a camera connected as well and if the other person also has one you can look at each other at the same time as well.
Would have been handy to run through the stylus replacemet.

by **Paladin** » 18 Nov 2009 07:25

I have a laptop with a camera built in. I'll have to check deeper into it. Thanks for the info.

by **bakelite2** » 18 Nov 2009 08:29

Hope you download the free version of Skype as it opens up the whole world for free and then I can pick your brains regarding the "retipping Club"

by **bakelite2** » 20 Nov 2009 07:01

Hi Will, new stylus assembly attached to B&O SP12 waiting for glue to set. I hope to try it out early next week once I have a little tiime to myself, looking forward to seeing how it works.
I have attached a cheap stylus which will be easy to remove and replace with a higher quality one if results are positive.
What was the SP12 tracking weight?

by **Paladin** » 20 Nov 2009 07:54

It isn’t hard! Congratulations, you are a member of the Retipper’s Club. Got any pictures for us to drool over? Think of the money you saved and you have music. The last time I saw the SP12 stylus for sale it was $200US new – but I haven’t found any lately. 1.5g is a good place to start for tracking weight then listen for a while.

Again…congratulation!

by **bakelite2** » 20 Nov 2009 08:02

Bit embarrassed to post a pic at this stage as I want to see how it sounds first. I will then butcher a perfectly good cart to rebuild to a standard I will be happy with. "THEN" I will post a picture you will be proud of. Seems like 1 - 1.5 gms is the way to go.

by **Paladin** » 20 Nov 2009 08:29

Does it look bad? Does it look like...a Christmas tree?

by **bakelite2** » 20 Nov 2009 08:31

Will I couldn't wait to see how it sounds, yeah I know I need to set correct VTA but that can wait as it is on the second arm set for 78 playback.
It is a lot brighter than the AT15XE with shibata stylus but that could be due to a couple of things like cheap stylus or a VTA issue. Still need to do some final tuning but I am impressed as I have been waiting a long time to hear this cart.
Thanks for the initial post which gave me the inspiration to attempt this.

by **Paladin** » 20 Nov 2009 08:38

That is a very nice picture. It should be wallpaper. The brightness could be because of the tonearm angle. Play around with it for a while and let it run though some albums to get a feel for what it will do. You did everything right and you are making music! I assume you are listening to it now? A week ago would you have believed you could get it going again?

LOL...try a $40 tip.

by **bakelite2** » 20 Nov 2009 08:48

Listening to Monty Alexander in Tokyo at the moment and the cartridge is performing a lot better than I had expected. Not as bright as it had initially been due to resetting VTA. Very clear and clean so it might be some time before I re-tip this cart as I am thoroughly enjoying what i am hearing. I will transfer it to my low mass DIY 12"carbon fibre arm which is much more suited to this B&O cart. I think this will also make a huge difference and only then will I get a true evaluation done.
Thanks again.
Joe

by **Paladin** » 20 Nov 2009 08:57

Bravo! Why spend anymore then you have to? Tell all your friends to give you their broken cartridges. Now go out and hug your cactus!

by **bakelite2** » 20 Nov 2009 09:07

We're tough here downunder and we run around without shirts on so hugging my cactus will be no problem for this Aussie .
Will, do I get some sort of name tag identifying me as a member of the "Retippers Club" and will any special offers be afforded to me like getting other members broken carts. The president of the club (you) is not eligable to receive any donations and I think I am next in line.
Settled on 1.5 gms for the time being as 1.2 was a tad light.

by **Paladin** » 20 Nov 2009 09:14

How would you like the number SP12A? No reward for the weary- just send me the broken cartridges that should be thrown in the trash. I'll recycle them for you.