ccogopher

Responses from ccogopher

Variac noise
The amp is 50-60hz   if by “bypass the variac” you mean nothing plugged in to it, then yes, and it’s completely silent.  
Good (great?) cartridges with user replaceable styli
The M series Ortofon all have replacement styli but they are nearly as expensive at the complete cartridge. Grado and Sumiko as well but not sure which models. You can check out audioadvisor, which sells a few different styli.