Cadenza Red Stylus wear help needed

[Yorkshireman]

Hi

Im looking to see how much wear my Cadenza Red Stylus has, I have taken some pictures with my USB microscope and need help assessing its potential usage / life left in it, before I use it.

It came to me used with a 200-300 hours on it.

Ortofon say "The Cadenza Red model is using a Nude Fine Line stylus with a cylindrical aluminium cantilever. The stylus tip radius is r/R 8/40 µm."

Which is all a bit alien to me.

Here are my pictures, its the best i can get, thanks

https://i.ibb.co/nR8kz5W/Photo-on-03-07-2024-at-14-58.jpg (https://ibb.co/R74HzV5)

https://i.ibb.co/mGNP7jc/Photo-on-03-07-2024-at-14-59.jpg (https://ibb.co/NsTGzvy)

https://i.ibb.co/k5qRsKj/Photo-on-03-07-2024-at-15-07.jpg (https://ibb.co/zQPyTsp)

[Barry]

You need to get an image looking directly down on the stylus to show any flat spots. Failing that, some images taken from the side, both left and right would be helpful.

Ortofon claim the stylus will start to change (wear) after 1,000 hours, but to expect a lifetime of 2,000 hours. However it must be noted that many regard 2,000 hours as impossible to attain, and to expect 500 hours as being more realistic.

It goes without saying that the correct setup (VTA/SRA, azimuth and VTF) has a huge effect on the stylus lifetime, as does the condition of your records.

[Mixc]

R.E. Stylus wear this is a good read.

https://thevinylpress.com/the-finish-line-for-your-phonograph-stylus/

My take from the article is, When viewing the stylus you look at the worn areas which reflected light.
New vs worn stylus shown in the second image.

[Yorkshireman]

You need to get an image looking directly down on the stylus to show any flat spots. Failing that, some images taken from the side, both left and right would be helpful.

Ortofon claim the stylus will start to change (wear) after 1,000 hours, but to expect a lifetime of 2,000 hours. However it must be noted that many regard 2,000 hours as impossible to attain, and to expect 500 hours as being more realistic.

It goes without saying that the correct setup (VTA/SRA, azimuth and VTF) has a huge effect on the stylus lifetime, as does the condition of your records.



R.E. Stylus wear this is a good read.

https://thevinylpress.com/the-finish-line-for-your-phonograph-stylus/

My take from the article is, When viewing the stylus you look at the worn areas which reflected light.
New vs worn stylus shown in the second image.


Hi Barry & Mixc
Thank you both for your information very helpful i will endever to get the required photos and report back
Mark

[mbic]

I would try and find a dealer who has a stylus microscope. I can recommend someone but he’s based in Birmingham.

[majex45]

Thank you for this thread. I have been looking at my stylii from the front, looking for flats on each side. I now realise that the flats are much, much smaller than I was looking for. I have a microscope (in the loft, I think) I'll get it out again and check my stylii to see if I have any "cats eyes".
Great topic.