Table of Contents
What kind of needle does my record player need?
While any record player needle will work to convert vibrations created by groove shape into sound, the best needles are durable (either nude diamond or diamond tipped), small, and have a large surface area. Vinyl and shellac both use grooves to record audio, so most cartridges will work.
Do modern record players have needles?
Aside from those special features, two important record player components — the tonearm and cartridge — come in different configurations. Normally, record players produce audio via a needle placed in the groove of a vinyl album.
Are all needles the same for record players?
Record player needles are not universal. Every record player uses a specific type of needle. There is sometimes possible to replace a record player needle with a different type, but only if the new needle is compatible with the original needle. A record player needle usually last around 1000 hours.
Which is better moving magnet or moving coil?
They are preferred by audiophiles due to their measurable and subjectively better performance, however. The moving coil cartridge produces a low output level which requires an additional stage of gain to play at sufficient volume.
Can you put any needle on a record player?
Not all needles are appropriate for your machine. Record players come in all shapes and sizes, so you want to make sure you buy the correct needle for your model. The easiest way to determine what kind of needle you need is to read the serial number that lines the cartridge.
How do I choose a turntable stylus?
What to Look for in a Cartridge. Stylus shape: The shape of the stylus affects how it makes contact with the record groove. The narrower the contact radius, the better the stylus will be able to track modulations in the groove. The two most common shapes of styli are conical and elliptical.
How important is the needle on a record player?
One of the most important parts is the needle, otherwise known as the stylus. The job of every record player needle is to turn the vibrations (caused by the unique groove shape) into sound. As it moves along the grooves, the needle creates an electrical signal.
How does a modern record player work?
Modern record players use electromagnetic devices to convert sound vibrations from a spinning record into electrical signals, which are then fed to an electronic amplifier that powers loudspeakers or headphones, making the sound much louder.
Are modern records recorded in analog?
New vinyl records made in the 21st century are the ones that come from digital masters. The music is recorded digitally and then pressed onto analog vinyl master discs. The records can be pressed for the master LPs. That pressing machines haven’t evolved for 30 years means vinyl albums are still technically in analog.
Are turntable cartridges interchangeable?
Moving coil, moving magnet, and ceramic cartridges are all electrically different from one another and are not interchangeable without other considerations. This is because in most cases amplifiers are designed to work with only one type of phono cartridge.
How do you know when to replace turntable needle?
When does a turntable stylus need to be replaced? Most manufacturers recommend changing your stylus at around 1000 hours of record playing time. So if you’re using your turntable for an hour or so per day on average, ideally you should be changing the stylus every couple of years.
What is the difference between moving coil and moving magnet?
Moving magnet (often abbreviated to MM) cartridges have a cantilever which transfers the mechanical vibrations picked up from the record groove directly into the cartridge’s magnet. A moving coil cartridge, however, has a fixed magnet and mobile coil.
Are moving magnet and moving coil cartridges interchangeable?
So if your stylus becomes worn, or damaged, with a moving coil you may have to replace the whole cartridge, whereas with a moving magnet design it’s a simple two-minute job to change styli – and you can often upgrade your cartridge with a better stylus assembly from the same manufacturer too.
Is MC better than MM?
Both cartridge designs can sound excellent but the MC variant has the ability to go one step further and reach audiophile heights. Generally, the best value, lower cost, cartridges are of a MM design. Those who are looking to achieve the best overall sound for turntables often choose the moving coil cartridge.
How do you put a needle on a record player?
To create a homemade record player needle, take a piece of paper and roll it into a cone. The cone should resemble a megaphone, with the small end kept very small, and the large end rounded out. This will serve to amplify the sound from the record.
Should I replace stylus or cartridge?
A good rule of thumb is that if the cartridge is mounted to the tonearm with screws, then you can replace the cartridge and stylus. If you don’t see any screws, it’s likely that only the stylus can be replaced.
Do all stylus work on all turntables?
Each turntable is different, so referencing the product manual can do away with guesswork. Turntables using moving coil cartridges typically don’t have a replaceable stylus, so you can expect to have to replace the entire cartridge. Also, some turntable models are only compatible with one cartridge type.
Is my turntable MM or MC?
In a stereo cartridge, two sets of coils and the pins represent the positive and negative poles for each end. With the presence of a magnet, this is how the MM creates a signal. Meanwhile, an MC goes in the opposite direction–the coils of wire move in a sideward motion while the magnet stays as is.
What is the difference between a stylus and a cartridge?
What Is the Difference Between a Stylus and a Cartridge? The stylus sends information as a signal to an amplifier for play-through via speakers. Turntable needles partner with cartridges to convert mechanical movement into an electrical signal.
