How and when to check stylus condition.


Looking for a litte practical advise about checking the condition of my stylus. My cartridge is a Sound Smith VPI Zephyr. The TT is a VPI classic w/ Classic 3 wand. I'm pretty sure I have well over a thousand hours on the stylus, maybe close to 2000 hours. My analogue section sounds great, but I wonder if the stylus is worn. As an aside, it was a bitch to set the carty up on my Classic, but once tuned in, it sings. Anyway can check the sylus without having to take everything apart? Who can check it and how is it done?
bifwynne
Bifwynne,
I change my "small" audio tubes, not necessarily the power tubes, every year and find it a BIG improvement each time I do. How do you like the Classic compared to the Scoutmaster?
Conical and elliptical tip: 300 hours
Microline-type tip: 500 hours
I change one a year on average.
I will never use MC carts again unless I'm wealthy; too expensive to replace all the time. Don't let your carts mis-track or get worn, it'll ruin your vinyl forever. Sometimes it's just the vocal sibilants that get shredded first, but you'll never get them back. 500 hours. Really. 1000 hours? Never.
Excellent thread! I think it's time to take my Rega in to my dealer for a check-up!