2. analog
  3. 1420384901

Stylus bent - AT120E/T, Technics 1200

Bad day...

For a while now, I've been trying to find the source of sssssemblence and tracking issues in my setup. It's all very subtle so I would hit-and-miss make some change to VTF, anti-skate and arm height. My though all along was that it was a setup issue.

However, I was reading through some past threads and started to really focus on the cart itself. Wouldn't you know it... it seems the stylus is bent.

Pics here:

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah131/minestaken-22/IMG_1350_zpsfb68f5f8.jpg

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah131/minestaken-22/IMG_1348_zps90115144.jpg

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah131/minestaken-22/IMG_1351_zpsecc43582.jpg

So first, I assume this is not fixable? Second, if it's not, what do I replace it with? The same? Upgrade the whole cart?

This is quite troubling as I have been looking at this for over a couple months never thinking it was a cart issue. I haven't played alot of records, but *sigh* I hope I haven't done any damage to my stuff...

Thoughts?
martinman

Showing 1 response by swampwalker

swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
It looks to me like your cantilever is deflected to the outside. Is this also true when the stylus is NOT in the groove? If yes, then the cantilever is bent and at that price point, not worth trying to find a repair source. You can buy a new stylus for somewhere between about $10 and $80 or a new cartridge for about $110. You may want to search and/or post to the long running thread about MM vs MC carts as there is a host of valuable info there regarding replacement stylii for MM carts.

If it is not true; i.e., if the cantilever is properly aligned when it is out of the groove, then I think it's probably a set-up issue; most likely anti-skate.

Good luck, Martinman.
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