How do you tell your Cartridge needs replacing?


I know this is a stupid question but I don't know how to answer it. I have a Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 on a MT-2 player. Came with it. Probably , 4 years old now. The first 2 years I was not cleaning records but have been for the past 2 years. I have no equipment beyond my ears to measure degradation of the stylus. Seems to me that the intervals between cleaning of the stylus due to muffled sound are getting shorter. That is all I can say. Maybe my brain is adapting to the sound degradation over time and what I would not consider abnormal 4 years ago is now normal. Anyways, I suspect the easy answer is just to replace it and listen but was wondering if there is any other advice out there. Thx. 

ricmci

Showing 2 responses by lewm

The OP owns a Sumiko cartridge, not an AT. So unless Sumiko offers a similar service to AT, the OP is best off procuring the services of an independent repair shop like the ones you, and several others before you, named.

Not many of us have the skills and experience to determine by inspection the condition of a stylus except in the most severe cases of wear, even with a microscope designed to do the job. I include myself as lacking such skills, and I do own a suitable instrument. Send it to a reputable retipper for evaluation. I do realize it’s a bit like asking a fox to guard the hen house.