2. analog
  3. 137190-10870

Have cartridges been known to fail (Grado)?

The phono stages on McIntosh systems (2) are fine. I have a B&O turntable and it plays fine.
I tried brought my Garrard Lab80 and a Dual 1229 from my storage. They had the Grado DJ and Gold respectively. Both turntables worked fine before I stored them safely for a couple years. Hooked them back up and no sound, no hum, not a thing; so I’m wondering what happened. The cartridges were brought within a couple months of each other about 8 years ago.  
I never had a cartridge die on me. Is there something wrong with the Grados?
I’d appreciate any feedback. Thanks.
128x128tobaccoleafpie
8 responses Add your response
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Nothing wrong with the Grado if the stylus is not destroyed, you can check cartridge coil with volt meter, most likely it’s your turntable cables if you have no signal (the cartridge is not connected to your phono preamp).
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,666 posts
 
Highly unlikely both carts would fail, check the rest of your chain and do the above and check with a multi-meter the continuity of the coils in the carts. 
that said the coil wire is very small think smaller then a hair, so if not stored in a clean dry environment they could degrade over time.  
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,794 posts
 
I've had cartridges fail or seen them fail many times, as I put myself through college by servicing consumer electronics.
My Transfiguration Orpheus lost one channel for no reason- they replaced at no charge, a Grado lost a channel, again replaced at no charge, a Shure suddenly lost output in both channels because apparently the magnet shifted. That one was old and we just replaced it.
lewm
13,030 posts
 
 But still, the odds are that two cartridges that were stored under identical conditions for eight years are not going to fail in exactly the same way with no output in either channel. I think the OP needs to re-view his set up. Most likely he’s made a fundamental error in installing his turntables. All too often people blame the equipment, when in fact we are all human and we all make sometimes silly mistakes.Particularly where this hobby is concerned. 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Grado DJ200i or DJ100i and Grado GOLD are new cartridges, i have a couple of those carts myself. Even when it comes to 40 years old vintage cartridges it is rarely happens. 
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,794 posts
 
Yes, just to be clear I would be very suspicious that something other than the cartridges is up.
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Like too high a VTF is where I'd start...do you have a scale?
fixedincome
111 posts
 
My newly repaired cartridge failed when the new stylus and tip fell out into my hand while I was attaching it to my arm.  There went $680.00 down the porcelain receptacle.  But, I do know why mine doesn't make music!
Log in to respond
More to discover
80x80
Lenco Fenrir
80x80
ZYX Ultimate Exceed Airy
80x80
Lenco Ultimate