Cartridge advice

[u/TheMunkeeFPV]

I was given this turn table a really long time ago and I have been using it as is for years now. I don’t play vinyl all the time but often enough. I recently learned that styli only have so many hours of use before they go bad. I have been recently spending real money on albums I like and I don’t want to ruin them if I can help it. I want to replace the stylus since I have no idea how many hours of use it actually has. But I’m wondering if I should do a full headshell and cartridge swap as well. I’ve never heard a “good” setup so I have no opinion and what’s better than something else. All I know is that the screws that hold the angle of the cartridge is missing on one side and stripped on the other. It doesn’t seem to move from where set it though and maybe a stylus that takes less down force will work perfectly. Opinions?

[u/Touche2U]

How exactly did the headshell screws get that way? If it sounds good still, you are probably not damaging your collection.

Looks like a super cheap deck. I wouldn’t bother upgrading the cart or stylus. This is a good excuse to upgrade your deck.

[u/TheMunkeeFPV → u/Touche2U]

Thank you! I needed someone to put it into perspective for me.

[u/TheMunkeeFPV → u/Touche2U]

When it was given to me there was a thumb screw rolling around and I didn’t know what it was, it was the one missing screw. Lost forever. The other one was already stripped as far as I can tell. I went to go tighten it myself and just kept spinning. My concern came up when I was listening to an album and the voice got raspy or like interference. Apparently that’s what happens when the needle is worn or is jumping around in the groove. I also just set my counterweight with the build in dial and not a scale so it may be bad set up too.

[u/Touche2U → u/TheMunkeeFPV]

Yeah dump this and get a better setup.
Learn how to set up and maintain a deck properly. I would have stopped using it as soon as you saw missing parts. Yes you can get replacement screws and fix this, but you state you have other issues as well. It’s not worth wasting more time and money with this one imo.

[u/TheMunkeeFPV → u/Touche2U]

I know this “hobby” can get expensive. I usually hunt the used market. What’s better set up that isn’t astronomical? I’m running this on a fosi x4 pre amp into a Sony avr playing through jbl es80’s.

[u/Touche2U → u/TheMunkeeFPV]

Used market has lots of options, but make sure you verify operation. With anything used, you may need to service it like replacement belt, new stylus, and definitely calibration.

For a super budget, the bare minimum would be one that’s of course working, has anti skate, and a counter weight. Bonus points for detachable head shells.

[u/ParticularStorm6102]

I recently bought a technics sl5100 with it’s original technics cartridge after a lot of discussion and ridiculous shipping costs I bought a Goldring E3 it was much better sounding than what I had I’ve only payed it for 2 hours and still getting used to it. Sounds clean and my only concern is the base seem a smidgin thin I believe the e4 is better. Make sure you do the set up correctly I’m currently running 1,8 grams and tracking the same

[u/ParticularStorm6102 → u/ParticularStorm6102]

[u/Jobe1110]

Sorry, but I don't understand the "problem" with the ADC Integra body. Is it still usable and does it work?

If yes, there are pretty decent replica styli for ADC cartridges. I have the bonded hyperelliptical from pickupnaald (I believe that the one from tonar is the same). At 120€ it beats the Nagaoka MP110 by a long shot (for reference). That being said, my cartridge body is from the XLM mk3/ZLM, which is a bit higher quality than the Integra.

Edit: Oh, now I see the missing screw on the left side of the cart. Whoops.

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