Back in Black

[brian2957]

Thanks Brian, I should like you say take into consideration all the other aspects you have mentioned but the night I heard it performing at its best was not noteworthy for anything special, just an average humidity and temp?

Average heid too?

[Barry]

2000 Hours - great, that means I am only half way through the life of this stylus and maybe I have hit the sweet spot but its all down hill from here!

I wouldn't depend on it. Around 2,000 hours is the upper estimate. Ortofon suggest a figure of 1,000 hours as typical; but that is to be on the safe side.

Just keep an 'ear' on things, clean your records before and after play, as well as lightly cleaning the stylus with a squirrel hair brush after each play. I use a dry vibrating stylus cleaner once a week for about 10 seconds as part of a regular maintenance routine.

[Jimbo]

I wouldn't depend on it. Around 2,000 hours is the upper estimate. Ortofon suggest a figure of 1,000 hours as typical; but that is to be on the safe side.

Just keep an 'ear' on things, clean your records before and after play, as well as lightly cleaning the stylus with a squirrel hair brush after each play. I use a dry vibrating stylus cleaner once a week for about 10 seconds as part of a regular maintenance routine.

Barry, can I ask what your "dry vibrating stylus cleaner" is as I have never heard of one before you mentioned it?

[Barry]

Barry, can I ask what your "dry vibrating stylus cleaner" is as I have never heard of one before you mentioned it?

I was probably being a bit too laconic in my description. The device I use is a Goldring Electronic Stylus Cleaner:



It is a battery-operated device which has a vibrating carbon-fibre pad on which the stylus to be cleaned is placed. The pad vibrates at about 500Hz (judging by the quiet 'whine' it makes in operation).

I used the term "dry" because whilst it is often recommended to use one drop of IPA on the vibrating pad, if the stylus is glued to the cantilever, the action of the solvent could damage the glued bond. (If the stylus is fitted to the cantilever with a cup, whose edges are swaged over, then use of a solvent will be OK. Check to see how the stylus is attached for your cartridge).

I'm not sure if the Goldring model is still available. Audio Technica also made one as well, which may still be available: https://revolutions33.co.uk/audio-te...cleaner-at637/

Another device is the Audiozomba sonic stylus cleaner:



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254993505...Bk9SR5rMos71YA

which ostensibly looks, and operates, in a similar fashion to the other devices.

[Jimbo]

looks a cool device.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Great post Jim, I've seen a similar phenomen with my Ortofon Cadenza Black and my Ortofon Silver Mesiter Mk I SPU where you seem to get a "golden age" where the cartridge just seems to excel in every way shape and form, but, be warned, this only lasts for a while and then things go down hill and a new cart/retip is needed. I also own a Royal N & Silver Meister Mk 2 SPU and I've not seen this yet. Have you noticed how all these carts are ORTOFON? I wonder if this is just a phenomen to them?

[Barry]

All cartridges take a while to 'run in' to achieve optimum performance - this is due to the breaking in of the compliant rubber suspension (though, no doubt, some might suggest it is also due to the 'burning in' of the coil windings). A typical figure is anywhere between 20 to 100 hours, so 1,000 hours seems to be an inordinately long time.

Andrew's suggestion that it might be something more intangible is a more likely explanation - an experience I have found to be true with most of my cartridges (regardless of electrodynamic configuration or stylus profile), or even with my system as a whole. Sometimes when the 'planets align', everything just gels together to give a highly enjoyable musical experience.

Enjoy it whilst you can - it's a capricious phenomenon.

[Pigmy Pony]

Had a look at the Audiozomba stylus cleaner listing Barry linked to, and I must say she does look impressive. I might even provide tea and biscuits



I just need to check whether Ortofon's 2M Black stylus is glued.

[Jimbo]

[Jimbo]

New 2M black stylus arrived today in new funky plastic container. This is quite a bit better than the old box it came in which just had the stylus loose. Installed tonight after 2 year run with last stylus and about 1200 hours.

New cartridge immediately sounds cleaner and more controlled. Quieter background and better tonal quality than the worn stylus. Notes seem to stop and start just that bit cleaner. Not that the old stylus was sounding poor but by comparison I can hear the deterioration. I keep my stylus and records ultra clean so 1200 hours was easily achievable but before it deteriorated into distortion and possible record ware I thought it was best to change.

Regarding running in, the only area I can hear that may benefit is the bass which is a tad light at the moment but only been running it for a couple of hours. Other than that it sounds wonderful. maybe a touch more 3D and lovely air and atmosphere now easily discernible in the recordings.

[IMG]96126B4E-E139-400D-B3FB-FCAF301E3F38 by Ja, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]D4D2E94E-EF31-441F-A226-616E4A479C2C by y, on Flickr[/IMG]