Changing turntable needles

[Big Al]

How often should I change a cartridge/stylus/needle on my turntable? I got one new last summer, and have been playing it semi-regularly ever since. Is it getting about that time? The turntable is a Technics SL-220.

Thanks!

[www.records]

Al, what cartridge do you have? Estimate on how many hours? Notice any degradation in sound yet? How are you with vinyl and stylus hygiene? Has the cartridge had proper alignment?

Sorry for so many questions, but they all would have a bearing on your stylus condition.

[JBStephens]

500 hours or annually, whichever comes first. Although stylus life is claimed to be 1,000 hours, that would be under absolutely ideal circumstances, and some stylus shapes last longer than others. Diamond is the hardest material on earth, and vinyl is quite soft, so you wouldn't think that it would wear at all. But dust and contaminants in the groove act as an abrasive to wear the stylus, so keep your records clean for longer stylus life. You will first notice the stylus wear on the inner grooves. But if you can hear the distortion, it's already too late, groove damage has already likely occurred. It's best to stay ahead of the game and replace styli before that happens.

[marcb]

I disagree on replacing at 500 hours. This is an overgeneralization.

There are many factors that come into play with stylus life: Stylus shape, stylus cleanliness, TT set-up (VTF, alignment, level TT, etc), cleanliness of one's record, etc. If one plays dirty records with a dirty conical stylus than perhaps 500 hours is a good number. But a properly maintained conical stylus playing properly cleaned and maintained LPs on a properly set-up TT should get more than 500 hours of useful life -- and a properly maintained microridge stylus could easily do better than 1000 hours.

And replace annually regardless? Assuming proper set-up and maintenance, IMO there is no reason to replace a stylus annually unless the stylus is simply worn from playing your LPs several hours (or more) a day.

"www.records" asked the right questions in post #2.

[JBStephens]

I disagree on replacing at 500 hours. This is an overgeneralization.

There are many factors that come into play with stylus life: Stylus shape, stylus cleanliness, TT set-up (VTF, alignment, level TT, etc), cleanliness of one's record, etc. If one plays dirty records with a dirty conical stylus than perhaps 500 hours is a good number. But a properly maintained conical stylus playing properly cleaned and maintained LPs on a properly set-up TT should get more than 500 hours of useful life -- and a properly maintained microridge stylus could easily do better than 1000 hours.

And replace annually regardless? Assuming proper set-up and maintenance, IMO there is no reason to replace a stylus annually unless the stylus is simply worn from playing your LPs several hours (or more) a day.

"www.records" asked the right questions in post #2.

We can assume that the original poster is not an engineer, does not have a microscope, does not work for Expert Stylus, and hasn't done in-depth research into the differences between a Gyger and a Shibata. We can also assume that a Technics SL-220 is not carrying a Van Den Hul at the end of it's tonearm, so stylus replacement is not going to be expensive. My reply was basically "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". Big Al wasn't asking for a lengthy treatise on stylus wear factors, he just asked a simple straightforward question, so I offered a simple straightforward answer. Generalization seemed fitting and proper.

I apologize most profusely.

[marcb]

We can assume that the original poster is not an engineer, does not have a microscope, does not work for Expert Stylus, and hasn't done in-depth research into the differences between Gyger and a Shibata. We can also assume that a Technics SL-220 is not carrying a Van Den Hul at the end of it's tonearm, so stylus replacement is not going to be expensive. My reply was basically "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". Big Al wasn't asking for a lengthy treatise on stylus wear factors, he just asked a simple straightforward question, so I offered a simple straightforward answer. Generalization seemed fitting and proper.

I apologize most profusely.
Generalization may lead the questioner to unneccessarily spend $$. It seemed like a better idea to give the questioner information rather than speculation. I apologize most profusely for doing so.

[Big Al]

Guys, guys, guys!!!! I appreciate everyone's answers. Really! When I get home tonight, I'm gonna re-examine my TT and answer some of the questions from post #2. Yes, I was looking for a simple answer, but www.records asked some good questions that I hadn't considered.

[www.records]

At least by taking a look at the variables that can and do come into play on stylus wear, you will come away learning something. 500 hours or once a year really doesn't leave much to the imagination or add to the learning curve.

But if you are in doubt of the condition of your stylus and want to play it safe, you can always just get another one. A decent one can be had for less than $100.

Didn't mean to start anything by my response in post #2. Just trying to be helpful and hopefully Big Al can learn something about stylus care and it wear.

Carry on.

[BrianH]

I'm about ready to change my needle with a 440MLa cart.

I've never done it before so I'm scared I'm going to mess it up.

I know I have to unscrew the 2 screws on either side of the cart; and unplug the 4 wires, but I'm worried about alignment and inserting the cart wrongly.

[JohnBeas]

I have a B&O Beogram RX which I bought used close to 20 years ago (it had hardly been used). I know B&O isn't highly rated but for my average set-up I think it sounds pretty good (and without hearing my records on a better setup that may not be saying much). I'd hate to guess how many hours I have on this needle - I'm going to guess 3000-5000. Most of the records I play on it are in excellent condition and I don't hear any problems with playback. I'm wondering if I should look into getting another needle (I only paid $50 for the turntable) or should I upgrade to something better. I do worry that I could be damaging my LP's by using such an old needle (but again I don't hear it). Generally I only use my turntable to make needle-drops of my albums and not so much for active listening.

[MikeyH]

I'm about ready to change my needle with a 440MLa cart.

I've never done it before so I'm scared I'm going to mess it up.

I know I have to unscrew the 2 screws on either side of the cart; and unplug the 4 wires, but I'm worried about alignment and inserting the cart wrongly.

You don't have to unscrew or unplug anything. Instructions are with the new stylus. You just pull it off (downwards) and push the new assembly on carefully. It's a tight fit. (the whole plastic 'bottom half' is the stylus assembly - look at Needledoctor.com where there's a photo of the whole thing as an example).

This is why moving magnet cartridges are easy to maintain.

[Ron-C]

The only way to tell is a stylus is worn out is to look at it tip on under a high powered microscope. On either side of the stylus a small wear spot will show up under directed light. If the wear dots are uneven this shows miss set antiskate or arm issues. On a most stylus the wear dots should be many times farther apart than their size. Complex stylus shapes such a line contact will show the wear point as an oblong contact patch on the sides of the diamond.
With the value of record collections and all of the crazy money spent on turntables a microscope is something every system should have. It can save you a lot of money in stylus and record wear. Something of around 80X will work well, stereo optics with built in illumination. These are on the bay at under $300 from various sources.
Having the scope will also allow the inspection of how the stylus is mounted in the cantilever. Comparing how say a Shure V15 V or AT 440ML stylus is mounted compared to some very high priced boutique cartridges is a shocker though!

Thanks,
Ron-C

[BrianH]

You don't have to unscrew or unplug anything. Instructions are with the new stylus. You just pull it off (downwards) and push the new assembly on carefully. It's a tight fit. (the whole plastic 'bottom half' is the stylus assembly - look at Needledoctor.com where there's a photo of the whole thing as an example).

This is why moving magnet cartridges are easy to maintain.

So what's with all the tools and screws that come with the cart?

I know I have to unplug the 4 wires inside the assembly.

[dinchart]

So what's with all the tools and screws that come with the cart?

I know I have to unplug the 4 wires inside the assembly.

Hello,

What we have here is a failure to communicate. When you mentioned replacing the "needle", that usually just means the stylus (the removable part of the cartridge that holds the diamond at the end of the metal cantilever). What I think you intend is to replace your old cartridge with a new 440mla. If so, it is relatively easy. The instructions that came with the cart, as well as the FAQ on the needledoctor.com site should be enough to get you going.

You can find more than need or probably want to know here:
http://www.audiophilia.com/features/cartridge_setup.htm

If you run into a problem, repost or shoot me a PM.

Some advice not in the instructions: have plenty of light, workspace, and time. And those tonearm wires are very delicate.

[www.records]

healy, in your post #11, you said you were going to change the needle (most people would think stylus which is replaceable) on a 440MLa. But apparently you are replacing your whole cartridge with a 440MLa?

[JBStephens]

Some advice not in the instructions: have plenty of light, workspace, and time. And those tonearm wires are very delicate.

And if possible, work over a cookie sheet so that when you drop the tiny screws and nuts they won't be lost. Until you vacuum, and hear that funny loud TIK going up into the sweeper.

[Steve Hoffman]

Mmmm, cookies.

[BrianH]

Mmmm, cookies.

LOL Steve you're the best!

[JBStephens]

If I'd known you were coming, I'd have baked a tape.

[BrianH]

healy, in your post #11, you said you were going to change the needle (most people would think stylus which is replaceable) on a 440MLa. But apparently you are replacing your whole cartridge with a 440MLa?

Right.