When to change a cartridge?
I currently own an EMT HD006 cartridge that cost about $1900. That's as much as I've ever paid for a cartridge. Previously I was in thousand-dollar territory. I can't imagine spending $5K for something that's assured to wear out. I play my turntable (VPI Prime Signature 21) every day for at least a few hourse. I guage that I put about a thousand hours a year on my cartridge, which is now at about 1500 hours.
I have read forums in which people talk about putting their cartridge under a microscope every few months. I don't own a microscope and I wouldn't know what to look for if I did. After reading forums in which people talk about cartridges wearing out before the manufacturer's recommended hours, I began to hear my cartridge slowly declining. I thought perhaps the attacks weren't as crisp.
I called my online dealer to discuss replacing mine, telling him that I thought I heard deterioration in the cartridge's sound. He said it doesn't work that way. I will know when my cartridge is ready to be changed. It will not be subtle. Often the suspension collapses.
My reaction was that a dealer wouldn't talk me out of spending about $2K unless that expense was foolish. So, I am still playing my EMT HD006 and not worrying about subtle changes as it wears down. The dealer said it might be fine for up to 3,000 hours.
I'm curious to know what other people do about their cartridges. Wait for the suspension to collapse and the thing sounds terrible, or monitor it more closely and perhaps even change the cartridge before the manufacturer's recommendation?
I bought a Soundsmith Zephyr III and it’s a great sounding cartridge. I bought it partly because the stylus could be replaced for a fraction of the total price of $1500. BTW I bought this recently on Amazon to examine my needle. It works well. Digital Microscope Wireless Pocket Handheld USB Microscopes, 50x-1000x Zoom Fixed Focus HD Magnifier with LEDs, Inspection Camera Compatible with iPhone, Android Phone, MacBook, Windows PC (Black) |
It helps if you know what stylus type you have first. The original shape. I look for dirt and debris build up first. After that I look for a crack, a bend of the tip in any direction, and flat spots. It’s a little challenging because you have to look at a few angles. https://www.audio-technica.com/en-gb/press/understanding-turntable-stylus-types?srsltid=AfmBOort30fXkKv2p0z03zaxlnb87ItGTqV2yD8SnIRiH9tFdC7OTADt |
I can’t say for certain but Soundsmith may be able to retip your cartridge and it’s worth a call or email. That’s if, of course, you think it’s needed. That would be considerably cheaper than a new cartridge. I am not sure I would replace a cartridge after 500 hours but I might repair/replace the stylus. |
