Thumbs up for figuring things out by yourself. You did the right thing by replacing the cartridge. But know this: the record player you have is to be honest a bit of a toy. The fact that it has a ceramic cartridge (and a cheap turntable mechanism) will limit its possibilities and playback quality. But within that limits you did well. Enjoy your music and never mind people who say that this type of cartridge (tracking weight, cheap mechanism, etc) will eat your record. It won't. A worn-out needle (or stylus) or improper use of even the cheaper player will ultimately damage your records. You handle your record with care, you notice details, that is a good start. Once you get more into playing records and once you saved enough to buy a turntable with a proper magnetic cartridge, do that. In the mean time, just enjoy this one. We all started here. Keep records clean, keep the stylus clean and replace it in time. Look here: th-cam.com/video/3nsPGILzrRs/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/1YIX5-CwhqM/w-d-xo.html And look around and learn, plenty of time,
I've been monkeying around with my somewhat cheap all-in-one Victrola too, got a better needle much like what you did, but didn't help fix the problem when playing any modern 33 Lp's...had no problem with 78's with either (red), or new. So my next step, it might be the "force" weight of the tonearm, which is extremely high at nearly 7 grams...where it should be 1-3, and sometimes 4 grams. With the cheap one piece make, going to try gluing something...it might work.
Unfortunately my knowledge about turntables hasn't really improved in recent times so i'm afraid i won't be able to help you. Adjusting the tracking force should probably help you out. But if you encounter skipping you should make sure that your turntable is placed on a leveled surface and doesn't get effected too much by vibrations from people walking around or even the speakers potentially resonating back into it. That can also cause issues with skipping. But like i said, i'm probably not the best person to ask for advice :D
@@toastbrot97 Thanks...this fairly new model, a retro Victrola style doesn't have any adjustment for the tracking, so I'm at a lose there. And it is level. Will let you know if the make-shift weight helps. Of course this unit I have now is just a in-between until I get a more expensive unit for 33's.
If you can afford something better you should probably do that, that's for sure! But if you do have one of these, i think it's safe to say that replacing the cheapo cartridge is not a bad idea :D
Thumbs up for figuring things out by yourself. You did the right thing by replacing the cartridge.
But know this: the record player you have is to be honest a bit of a toy. The fact that it has a ceramic cartridge (and a cheap turntable mechanism) will limit its possibilities and playback quality. But within that limits you did well.
Enjoy your music and never mind people who say that this type of cartridge (tracking weight, cheap mechanism, etc) will eat your record. It won't. A worn-out needle (or stylus) or improper use of even the cheaper player will ultimately damage your records.
You handle your record with care, you notice details, that is a good start.
Once you get more into playing records and once you saved enough to buy a turntable with a proper magnetic cartridge, do that. In the mean time, just enjoy this one. We all started here.
Keep records clean, keep the stylus clean and replace it in time.
Look here:
th-cam.com/video/3nsPGILzrRs/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/1YIX5-CwhqM/w-d-xo.html
And look around and learn, plenty of time,
I've been monkeying around with my somewhat cheap all-in-one Victrola too, got a better needle much like what you did, but didn't help fix the problem when playing any modern 33 Lp's...had no problem with 78's with either (red), or new. So my next step, it might be the "force" weight of the tonearm, which is extremely high at nearly 7 grams...where it should be 1-3, and sometimes 4 grams. With the cheap one piece make, going to try gluing something...it might work.
Unfortunately my knowledge about turntables hasn't really improved in recent times so i'm afraid i won't be able to help you. Adjusting the tracking force should probably help you out. But if you encounter skipping you should make sure that your turntable is placed on a leveled surface and doesn't get effected too much by vibrations from people walking around or even the speakers potentially resonating back into it. That can also cause issues with skipping. But like i said, i'm probably not the best person to ask for advice :D
@@toastbrot97 Thanks...this fairly new model, a retro Victrola style doesn't have any adjustment for the tracking, so I'm at a lose there. And it is level. Will let you know if the make-shift weight helps. Of course this unit I have now is just a in-between until I get a more expensive unit for 33's.
@@Tocomaco I have seen people use makeshift counterweights before. If you manage to attach it properly i don't see why it wouldn't work.
How did you replace it?
It's not too complicated there are a couple videos on youtube showing how it's done.
th-cam.com/video/EBbprKEsExM/w-d-xo.html
@@toastbrot97 thanks! I really appreciate it
I wouldn't even play a record on that so called turntable, plus ceramic cartridge and stylus are not the best for playing vinyl on.
If you can afford something better you should probably do that, that's for sure! But if you do have one of these, i think it's safe to say that replacing the cheapo cartridge is not a bad idea :D