I had a similar problem with a much more expensive cartridge that had been in storage for years. The left channel didn't work and the sound was terrible. After watching your video I decided tearing into it wasn't the answer. Remembering a trick for a stuck computer hard drive, I put the cartridge in a plastic container and stored it in the freezer for a couple days. Then an afternoon in the NC sun, back to the freezer overnight and then back in the sun. It works perfectly now.
The two little studs at the end of the cantilever are magnets. The movement from the stylus cause the magnets to move which cause current fluctuations in each of the coils. The magnets should never touch the coils. If they did, they couldn't move freely so the small current wouldn't be produced. This very small current must go through the pre-amp in order to be brought to a useful level.
The coil magnetic circuit is the crucial component, which may not be visible in this video. The V-shaped piece behind the needle is a two-legged magnetic rod. Its simultaneous upward and downward movement represents a shallow-deep sound groove (L-R). When the legs move in opposite directions, it indicates a groove that bends left and right (L+R). The video shows two coil rods, each with two windings. These four windings connect to extract the left (L) and right (R) audio signals. Thus, (L+R) + (L-R) equals 2L, and (L+R) - (L-R) equals 2R.
My sears combined phono/radio unit has the fun of the cartridge sends a signal, but its so weak that the volume on the stereo has to be turned up to 75% to get any audio out of it. Since its a BSR turntable, I unhooked the two rca style connectors under it and plugged in a 3.5 mm adapter and found that the amp inside the main chassis is fine.
What is it with left channel ? I ve had a Shure M97xE from new , as with all of my audio gear it has been fastidiously cared for , then a few weeks ago , L channel fade to fail in seconds . First thing I tested was the cart and sure enough , L open circuit . I have had Turntable gear for over 40 years and this is my first cart fail . Had to be the 97 too! D'oh !
Yes, phantasm is correct. Cantilever, not stylus. Question: this is a moving magnet (MM) cartridge. Did you see a tiny magnet anywhere? Very interesting video. Thanks.
I just received a Technics turntable with one of these in it from eBay. The seller claimed that the cartridge/stylus was brand-new, but when I played a record, it skated and I got no audio, and the cantilever immediately broke off. I've ordered another stylus, but I'm not sure it'll solve the problem.
+Carl Rudd No it's the cantilever. Modern cartridges do not have a needle. There has never been a true needle since the long playing vinyl record became prevalent over 78s (they literally used a steel needle which is why people use the term). Modern cartridges use a cantilever (generally either aluminium or carbon fibre) with a piece of diamond - the stylus which is either either direct mounted - known as nude, or glued - known as bonded onto the end of the cantilever. The other end cantilever is generally mounted into the plastic using a rubber or synthetic bushing. Audio Technica moving magnet cartridges (like the one in this video) have a couple of magnets on the cantilever that move inside coils. It's the movement of the magnets in these coils that generates the electrical signal that eventually becomes the sound you hear from your speakers.
All these folks are right. There hasn't been 'needles' for records since the days of wind up gramaphones. The thing that's bent is the cantilever, which attached to it is the diamond stylus. You do come across as a novice or ignorant in simple audiophile parlance.
its very simple electrical basic,,,,wire rolled to create a coil,,,one for the left one for the right . also note that its not common to say the word "so" so much,,especially at the beginning of a sentence ,,a lot of people do that for some reason
Real Jai yeah I just bought that same one a couple days ago and the cantilever on the stock one was offset as well. I bought the replacement one at Best buy and it's much better now
I stopped your vid at a minute and a half, not due to your frigidity rambling, but because I already know exactly what is inside the cartridge, and what it is is also fairly well epoxied and laminated, and that by the time you have it open it will be so destroyed that there would be nothing much to see but some fine wire and twisted metal. If you google Audio Technica cartridge cut-away view or something similar, you'd get some very nice blown-up pictures of the coil structures that are hidden. You may not be old enough to remember this but in hi-fi magazine ads and other publications back when, AT would publish these very large detailed color illustration of the cart's insides, and you would then forever know the secret of how the sound is generated from records.
I DID stop this video at a minute and a half due to his frigidity rambling, and his camera focus hunting! Lol... Some people just don't get how to shoot a video. His nervous and jerky hand movements were making me dizzy!
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I had a similar problem with a much more expensive cartridge that had been in storage for years. The left channel didn't work and the sound was terrible. After watching your video I decided tearing into it wasn't the answer. Remembering a trick for a stuck computer hard drive, I put the cartridge in a plastic container and stored it in the freezer for a couple days. Then an afternoon in the NC sun, back to the freezer overnight and then back in the sun. It works perfectly now.
Thanks to your video. I dared to open my stanton 500-II and i managed identify the two wires short-circuiting! It is now fixed :D
The two little studs at the end of the cantilever are magnets. The movement from the stylus cause the magnets to move which cause current fluctuations in each of the coils. The magnets should never touch the coils. If they did, they couldn't move freely so the small current wouldn't be produced. This very small current must go through the pre-amp in order to be brought to a useful level.
Smashing teardown :-), ive never taken one apart so i didnt know how they worked.
They look well worth the money, delicate wiring.
The coil magnetic circuit is the crucial component, which may not be visible in this video. The V-shaped piece behind the needle is a two-legged magnetic rod. Its simultaneous upward and downward movement represents a shallow-deep sound groove (L-R). When the legs move in opposite directions, it indicates a groove that bends left and right (L+R). The video shows two coil rods, each with two windings. These four windings connect to extract the left (L) and right (R) audio signals. Thus, (L+R) + (L-R) equals 2L, and (L+R) - (L-R) equals 2R.
0:40 - you're Canadian.
Literally was about to do this and found your video. No need now time to buy a new one lol good post!
My sears combined phono/radio unit has the fun of the cartridge sends a signal, but its so weak that the volume on the stereo has to be turned up to 75% to get any audio out of it. Since its a BSR turntable, I unhooked the two rca style connectors under it and plugged in a 3.5 mm adapter and found that the amp inside the main chassis is fine.
If You Look Real Close at the 106th. winding of the coil wire (Left Side) You can see that the wire is broken! LOL! Fun Video!
What is it with left channel ? I ve had a Shure M97xE from new , as with all of my audio gear it has been fastidiously cared for , then a few weeks ago , L channel fade to fail in seconds . First thing I tested was the cart and sure enough , L open circuit . I have had Turntable gear for over 40 years and this is my first cart fail . Had to be the 97 too! D'oh !
Yes, phantasm is correct. Cantilever, not stylus. Question: this is a moving magnet (MM) cartridge. Did you see a tiny magnet anywhere? Very interesting video. Thanks.
Tiny horns on the cantilever are actually magnets.
Cool teardown. I have the same cartridge. I wonder how this compares to the innards of a more pricey cart?
I just received a Technics turntable with one of these in it from eBay. The seller claimed that the cartridge/stylus was brand-new, but when I played a record, it skated and I got no audio, and the cantilever immediately broke off. I've ordered another stylus, but I'm not sure it'll solve the problem.
Geoffrey W You best not ship turntables. Things can easily break.
How'd it go 8 months later?
So is it normal to play record with the stylus off centered like that? I have a audio Technica stylus that is off centered like yours.
No warranty?
I had this one for only 2 weeks and this same thing happened.. I wonder I can return it as I am broke and have no money for another..
The same hapened to me with this cartridge. 3 month after purchased.
have you ever heard your music on a thousand dollar cartridge?
I recommend the at440mlb
Discontinued I believe the at440mlb
that stylus is no good.
It is not the STYLUS that is bent/canted. It is the CANTILEVER that is bent/canted.
No, it's the NEEDLE.
+Carl Rudd No it's the cantilever. Modern cartridges do not have a needle. There has never been a true needle since the long playing vinyl record became prevalent over 78s (they literally used a steel needle which is why people use the term).
Modern cartridges use a cantilever (generally either aluminium or carbon fibre) with a piece of diamond - the stylus which is either either direct mounted - known as nude, or glued - known as bonded onto the end of the cantilever. The other end cantilever is generally mounted into the plastic using a rubber or synthetic bushing.
Audio Technica moving magnet cartridges (like the one in this video) have a couple of magnets on the cantilever that move inside coils. It's the movement of the magnets in these coils that generates the electrical signal that eventually becomes the sound you hear from your speakers.
All these folks are right. There hasn't been 'needles' for records since the days of wind up gramaphones. The thing that's bent is the cantilever, which attached to it is the diamond stylus. You do come across as a novice or ignorant in simple audiophile parlance.
Man, Im surprised no one here got the NEEDLE joke.
I'm sensing anger.
its very simple electrical basic,,,,wire rolled to create a coil,,,one for the left one for the right .
also note that its not common to say the word "so" so much,,especially at the beginning of a sentence ,,a lot of people do that for some reason
Just got an audio technica lp120 as a gift & the cantilever is offset like the one in the video. Would I have to get a new cartridge?
Real Jai yeah I just bought that same one a couple days ago and the cantilever on the stock one was offset as well. I bought the replacement one at Best buy and it's much better now
If the cantilever is off it will destroy your records
Save the stylus!!!!!!!!
@ 9:15, the needle.
I stopped your vid at a minute and a half, not due to your frigidity rambling, but because I already know exactly what is inside the cartridge, and what it is is also fairly well epoxied and laminated, and that by the time you have it open it will be so destroyed that there would be nothing much to see but some fine wire and twisted metal. If you google Audio Technica cartridge cut-away view or something similar, you'd get some very nice blown-up pictures of the coil structures that are hidden. You may not be old enough to remember this but in hi-fi magazine ads and other publications back when, AT would publish these very large detailed color illustration of the cart's insides, and you would then forever know the secret of how the sound is generated from records.
I DID stop this video at a minute and a half due to his frigidity rambling, and his camera focus hunting! Lol... Some people just don't get how to shoot a video. His nervous and jerky hand movements were making me dizzy!
Aren't the coils supposed to be magnets? Or is this an MC cartridge?