Strange cartridge behaviour

[aashton]

I have a number of cartridges and swap between Koetsus and Clearaudios - the Koetsus seem to acumulate fluff more readily than the Clearaudios - why is this ?

Awaiting illumination (as all illuminati do :D ) - Andrew

[Sckott]

How old are both of them? Maybe in terms of use, if you can surmise?

[aashton]

Originally posted by Sckott
How old are both of them? Maybe in terms of use, if you can surmise?

Well there are two of each and they each have 500-800 hours on the clock - they all sound fine just I notice the Clearaudios seem to not pick up any dust

All the best - Andrew

[Sckott]

1. It could be the shape of the styli. From what I've experienced, some styli might pick up grime inside the walls of the grooves more, some actually push contaminents out of the way.
2. It also could be the drop-angle to the cantivileer.
3. It could also be the clearence from the styli to the very surface to the cantivileer.

Are you doing a light cleaning to your records before you play them? Just curious... Are you getting enough fuzz to make the cart ride on top of the groove? (Bad distortion)

Which sounds better to you?

[aashton]

Originally posted by Sckott
Are you doing a light cleaning to your records before you play them? Just curious... Are you getting enough fuzz to make the cart ride on top of the groove? (Bad distortion)


Thanks for the input Sckott - yes I do light cleaning before each side and no it's not that much fluff just enough for me to notice that every now and then on the Koetsus I could see a little bit of dust (about the size of a pin head) but on the Clearaudio I have been going a week now and nothing.

All the best - Andrew

[aashton]

Originally posted by Sckott
Which sounds better to you?

I like both families - the Clearaudios are more detailed with more treble definition and the Koetsus aren't :) One day soon I'll get round to trying the VdH :)

All the best - Andrew

[Sckott]

Also depends on the vinyl, moisture and conditions. I've had totally clean vinyl come up putting a tiny beard on the styli too. Sounds like it's a very small problem, and in this case, it sounds like you're okay.

As long as the styli and cantivileer can move without restriction or damping, even with a bit of dust on, it should be fine. Sometimes a lot of dust gathering can get sonically annoying though!

[Ronflugelguy]

When a I had a Benz, it picked up more fuzz than the Clearaudio that i have now does.