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