Retip a Phono Cartridge
You should retip your phono cartridge from time to time to ensure it continues to deliver excellent sound quality. When it comes to keeping your phono cartridge running well, re-tipping it isn’t the only thing you should keep in mind. It is also important to choose the right stylus and cantilever. The good news is that there are several methods to choose from.
Choosing a phono cartridge
It would help if you chose the right phono cartridge to get the most out of your record-playing system. It determines the tone and response range, stereo separation, imaging, and distortion-free operation. Choosing the right cartridge for your records is also important to extend their life.
There are many factors to consider when selecting a phono cartridge. The sound you hear is created by the interaction between the stylus, the moving coil, and the magnet. You must try it out a few times to find the right combination. Choosing the right record player will allow you to enjoy listening to your records the most.
Low internal impedance is an important feature of the ideal phono cartridge. The cartridge will be able to handle a wide range of dynamic ranges. As well as reducing the effect of back-EMF on recording, lower-impedance cartridges are also more efficient. The lower the impedance of the cartridge, the higher the performance of the phono preamp.
The cost of a high-end phono cartridge can be prohibitive, but if it has been cleaned and re-tipped properly, it should last a long time. Moving magnet cartridges from Ortofon cost $99, while Dynavector high-output moving coil cartridges cost $700. If you plan to spend a considerable amount of money on a new cartridge, a few guidelines can help you make the most of it.
You should know what type of retipped cartridge you have before you start retipping. It is crucial to keep this in mind since some parts are more difficult to replace than others. A cartridge manufacturer should also be taken into account. Parts that are exclusive to certain manufacturers can only be purchased from them.
Recordings can be significantly improved by using a retipped cartridge. The lifespan of a cartridge can be extended to three thousand plays if it is well maintained. Depending on the type of retipping, the cost can range from $100 to $1000. Despite this, retipping is a complicated process that requires a skilled professional’s expertise.
The resonance frequency of a tonearm is affected by its mass. It has three parts: the headshell, the cartridge, and the screws. A good resonance frequency falls between seven and twelve Hz. Anything outside these ranges is questionable.
Choosing a stylus
If you’re considering retipping a phono cartridge, you’ll want to ensure you’ve got a stylus that can track the grooves and deliver better sound quality. A phono cartridge consists of several parts: a cantilever, a generator, and a stylus. The cartridge manufacturers have positioned themselves in the market based on what consumers want. Changing the stylus can remove some of this market positioning.
Before retipping a phono cartridge, you should first consider what model the cartridge is. It is possible to buy a slew of the same model and make a comparison. That way, you can be sure that the cartridges are the same construction.
You may want to invest in a new M97xE stylus if you have an older cartridge. This model costs between $150 and $200. It also requires the removal of the cartridge and careful alignment. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, you can send your cartridge to me for tipping. I can also retip a stylus with an aluminum cantilever upgrade.
There are several different stylus shapes available. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. Spherical shapes are easier to make and cheaper, for instance. The grooves will also be tracked more accurately, reducing distortion. In contrast, elliptical cartridges are more expensive than spherical ones and require proper cartridge alignment and tonearm alignment.
It may be possible to retipe some cartridges, while others may require a new cartridge. A retipping can help restore sound quality and minimize distortions of a moving coil cartridge or a moving magnet cartridge. Cartridge performance may also be improved by using a replacement stylus.
Choosing a cantilever
The steps for retipping a phono record should be followed before you begin. The first thing you need to do is make sure your cartridge is using the right cantilever. In this way, the cartridge’s sound quality will be improved.
Some retippers claim to be able to restore the sound quality of your cartridge, but they will not be able to replicate the original tip of the record. A cantilever’s material will also need to be considered. It is typically made of boron. Cantilevers made from this material are a little more expensive than those made from other materials.
Moreover, good stereo imaging depends on a record’s quality of the separation. It is a good sign of a high-quality cartridge to choose a cantilever with high channel separation. The single cantilever of record player cartridges makes it difficult for them to achieve perfect separation.
Compliance is another important factor to consider when retipping a phono cartridge. To maintain the shape of the cartridge, a cantilever must be stiff enough. There may be a need to replace the cartridge in this case. Alternatively, you can return the cartridge to the manufacturer for a new one if you aren’t sure.
In general, manufacturers use less glue than retippers. As a result, they do not want their diamonds to come off. A retipper will not turn his back even if the diamond falls off. Keeping the diamond in place requires a stiff cantilever. Depending on the material, metal or aluminum alloy tubing can be used to make cantilevers.
