How to Replace a Turntable Stylus. Good turntables often have a counterweight at the back, which determines how heavily your stylus presses on the record's. Vinyl Records: How do you know if your needle/cartridge needs replacement? Update Cancel. Ad by Humble Bundle. Replace the needle right away, unless you have access to a quality microscope and know what to look for. Who makes the best vinyl record needles and cartridges in the world?
I'm not an expert in vinyl and turntables. I've only been into vinyl for a year now. I have a MCS series 6601 direct drive automatic turntable. It's still going strong with the original needle and cartridge.
My question is, when would it be a good idea to change the needle and cartridge? Are parts for these old turntables extremely hard to come by or will any needle and cartridge designed for the type of turntable work? What kind of cartridges would be the best choice for my turntable? Thanks all for your input. I'm still relatively new to the whole vinyl thing.: member Posts: 60 Joined: 28 Dec 2011 16:26 Location: Louisville, KY. You'll know when the stylus is worn, because the highs start degrading and you're aware of a slight blurring of the sound that no amount of cleaning will remove.
The OM20 may be later than the Planar 3, as Rega used to supply them with their own cartridges. That said, it's the moving bits that fail, so the cartridge body should still be fine and you can simply buy a new stylus.
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Good time to upgrade and put on a stylus further up the range - the OM30 is apparently when the OM series becomes seriously good. Member Posts: 1579 Images: Joined: 31 Jul 2008 21:02. The needle itself can last 500 hours or more, depending on conditions. According to the shure site, though, you should replace your stylus anyway if it is over 10 or 15 years old.
There are rubber bushings or something like that in the stylus that deteriorate with age. Here's some links. Replacing the stylus returns cartridge to a like new state. Having said that, for many great sounding cartridges today that may sound better than your old one. There's lots of information online if you do the search. Junior member Posts: 11 Joined: 29 Sep 2012 23:25.
Is a simple but somewhat tedious and finicky process. Do Google search for how to install a phono cartridge and take a look. Handling the tiny screws is probably the hardest part. You can search about matching your tonearm to the cartridge- I don't have much experience with that. I can say if you are a music lover-prepare to be blown away by the sound hiding in your grooves! I always spent the money on the cartridge, and sonically for me it pays off.
I felt like I get big jumps when I go from (especially)the budget to medium and then medium to excellent cartridges. It's incrementally small improvements after that, and will depend on your ears.
I'm somewhat randomly saying budget is.