Always check


No question, just some experience I learned the hard way. About two years ago, I bought my definitive turntable: a Goldmund Studietto with T5 arm and Kiseki Agaat Ruby cartridge. I listened at the dealer, and it sounded good. It was complete with extra springs, manual, extra counterweight etc. The cartridge "just had a retip", so everything was fine.
I enjoyed this beautiful TT, both as serious piece of equipment and as an eyecatcher, but always had the nagging feeling it should be able to sound 'better'. It wasn't bad, but...

A couple of weeks ago I saw a Sansui SR-525 TT at the thrift store. Nice looking table, although the antiskating weight was missing an it needed some work. Nothing fancy, but since it was very cheap and seemed like a 'do-able' project I bought it, restored it and fitted a Goldring 1012GX cartridge. Now that's a nice cartridge which I like, but nothing 'high end'. So imagine my surprise (and shock) as it outperfomed my Goldmund in every way...
To cut a long sory short: I checked the stylus of the Kiseki, which was completely worn out. After some consideration I decided to buy a new cartridge (Lyra Dorian). Now I finally can enjoy what a good TT can do.

So the moral here is to check things like needles always. It may be a small investment, but I can save you a lot of time and aggrevation.
satch

Showing 2 responses by satch

@ Markphd: I calculated I used the cartridge for 500 hours, a new tip should have lasted 1500 hours at least. Unfortunately, Kiseki itself has gone a long time ago, the store I bought the TT has gone to, so it's hard to find out what has been done and what hasn't been done.

@Nsgarch: Mine has the original Pabst motor for as far as I could trace back the serial number. Lubing the spindle bearing is a good idea though, I'll look into that.

As for replacing the springs: been there, done that, put them back. Perhaps it has something to do with the shelf the TT sits (wall-mounted Target, glass shelf), but with the sorbothane it sounded less lively.

Ah, the T5... I love it and hate it. Once set up properly it sounds great, unfortunately setting up basic things like the VTA took me two and a half hour (and a lot of very bad words...). But is has paid off: I hear things now I've never heard before, even on worn out vinyl.
Thnx Nsgarch, I was already thinking about changing the glass. That will keep me busy for some time...
I've already sold the Kiseki. The new owner will have it retipped, I've decided for several reasons that a retip is not the way to go for me.