jimp@teklabs.UUCP (06/22/83)
Today my two-year old son decided that he wanted to listen
to some music, and turned on my automatic turntable. Alas,
there was no record thereupon, so he toddled off to concern
himself with more audible endeavors. Some time later my
wife called me to say that the needle of my $60 Audio-
Technica AT-14sa cartridge had been playing "that rubber
record" on the platter for an undetermined amount of time.
I have just recovered from shock, and my question is this:
How can I determine the extent of the damage without going
to an audio shop (who would probably tell me that even a new
needle HAS to be replaced)? I'm hoping that some sort of
visual inspection will suffice. Also, how hard would it be
to replace just the needle instead of the whole cartridge?
Thanks!
--Jim Prouty (tektronix!teklabs!jimp)tom@rlgvax.UUCP (06/28/83)
A visual inspection will not diagnose a bad needle unless it is done
with a microscope. That is how the stereo shops do it. In DC, a
store/chain called Myer-Emco gives free turntable/cartridge/needle
inspection, in front of you! If they say the needle is bad, you can
look through the microscope yourself. They are careful to clean the
needle properly beforehand so you are not misled by a piece of dirt.
It is possible that it is still a rip-off (looks can be deceiving - how
much wear is bad?), but in this case experience and reputation says no,
it isn't.
Why do they have the clinic, then? And why do so many needles need replacing
when checked? Because most people let their needles go a long time, and
through much abuse, before having them checked. "Routine maintenance" on a
stereo is a rare and wonderful thing!
You generally CAN replace the needle without the cartridge. It generally
is approximately 50% - 80% of the cartridge.
PS: I, for one, consider myself lucky for having a truly reputable stereo
shop nearby - and Myer-Emco is not the only one! Washington, DC is a good
place for stereo equipment.
- Tom Beres
CCI, Reston (formerly RLG)
{sesimo, allegra, we13, brl-bmd, mcnc}!rlgvax!tom