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Just Snagged a Micro Seiki DD-35 - Need Help With Affordable Cartridge Options for SM-505

Hi All! Just picked up a decent MS DD-35 for a steal at Goodwill. I know very little about tonearms and cartridges, having only purchased a few for DJing with Technics and Numarks over the years. Was hoping one of my old DJ cartridges would work for testing this bad boy out, but alas, they don't seem to fit. Any advice on an affordable cartridge for this bad boy. Poor millennial, so my budget is tight. Honestly, if I can't afford a cartridge, I'll probably just sell this bad boy. Hopefully it won't come to that.

This model was recommended by others, but dang... $400 is way too much for me.
https://www.ebay.com/p/SIGNET-TK7LCA-Cartridge-and-7lca-Stylus/673171598

Am I S.O.L. (surely out of luck)?

Here's the DD-35:
https://imgur.com/k090Pxu
mycoscott
Post removed 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
For some reason, I couldn’t get a Numark cartridge to fit on the SM-505. It fit in well, but not fully set into the tone arm and there was no locking mechanism.

Do you mean something like Numark CC-1 or this one ?
Both are better in recycle bin than on a turntable, those are very bad quality cartridges, don’t waste your time with it even for djing.

Buy yourself a pair of Grado DJ-100 to mount on any lighweight headshell and use them for DJing or for home listening. When you are ready fo upgrade just buy a better stylus for this Grado.

If your Micro Seiki has some problem with headshell lock just send it for repair to anyone who can fix Micro Seiki. Your Micro Seiki tonearm designed for use conventional headshell, they are universal, nothing special.

mycoscott OP
5 posts
 
Pictures worth a thousand words, here what I’m working with:

https://imgur.com/uVoifzg
https://imgur.com/IXPdhA6
https://imgur.com/tXL2pjW

Do any components look to be missing or damaged from these pics? It just seems like the cartridge should push into the housing on the tonearm another 1/2" or so. I don’t want to push too hard and do damage, but I put some pressure on it and the cartridge didn’t go in any further. Thanks again. Glad to know it’s compatible and hoping that I'm dealing with operator error here!


chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Push and lock, this is how it works. 
This is standard headshell and standard tonearm for this type of headshell. You can't damage it, maybe it's just too tight, but it's great for connection of the headshell pins and tonearm pins. Push and move the ring to lock it.  
mycoscott OP
5 posts
 
Thanks guys! Good news! I took some sandpaper to the post on the cartridge and after that it slid right on! Ordered a cheap replacement stylus (don't have one currently) on ebay for $10 for testing purposes and if everything is mechanically functional, I'll order a nice setup!

Any basic maintenance I should do while I wait for my stylus?

I've got Deoxit for plastic sliders (has lubricant) and regular contact cleaner. The veneer is a bit chipped on the front corners. Not sure that can be repaired, so might just leave it looking rough... maybe some wood conditioner or polish to bring out the shine?


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