Time to change the Ortofon stylus
 

Looks done to me. Fortunately it's an easy change out, the OM20 is $215.

Appears to be missing

It still plays, which is weird if it's missing. I think I've just worn it to a nub

215? Sounds like something my brother would buy

Just because it plays, doesn't mean you should use it. I hope you didn't ruin some records.

I've got a new one ordered. Hopefully it will come today.

The OM 30 @ $353 and OM 40 $647 seemed way too high for my system.

Looks like an alligator. What angle did you photo that?

Way back in the olden days when I put together my dream stereo component sound system, Quadraphonic was the big new wave. I had a Dual 1218 turntable picked out, but I wanted a quadraphonic needle. That needle was over $100 in 1972. That is over $725 today.

I gave myself a $1,000 budget to buy my system. I wanted to start a credit history, so dad cosigned the loan at the bank. I paid it off in 6 months as I remember.

Back in that era, cassette tapes were new, and sounded terrible and 8 tracks were better sounding. Of course I bought 8 tracks. They quickly died, and cassettes took over as Advent introduced a newfangled cassette tape deck in 1971.

I had a ton of mix tapes I made.

Do you still have the system?

What about the mix tapes?

I don't have any 8-tracks still around ;) .... but still have cassettes I recorded back in college that are free to anyone that wants 'em. I think I can find them .... or some of them. All recorded on top grade Maxell XLII and probably still sound fine .... various Rock bands' albums.... I replaced them when CDs appeared.

Amazing Amazon
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1683934975.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1683934975.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1683934975.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1683934975.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1683934975.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1683934975.jpg

^Nice! Your records should sound a lot better now!

What did you use to take the close ups?

First test, amazing difference!!!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1683935198.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1683935198.jpg

Thanks!!!!
Pixel 7 pro - cell phone

So here's my new reference album. This Kinks (second time around) sounded like crap on the distortion guitar parts, so I threw it on the for sale pile. Now it sounds wonderful! It's back on the keeper pile

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1683935652.jpg

Now I understand the pic. I thought I was doing well with a Shure.

"Some people" including me are convinced this is still the best way to play recorded music.

That's utterly amazing when you stop and think about it!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1683936940.jpg

Do you use a swifter duster to dust your turntable? I’ve nearly caught my stylus with one. Too risky so I stopped.


For stylus cleaning I’ve been using the mr clean magic eraser method and gel pads, like moon gels for drums for a long time. Works great

https://uturnaudio.com/pages/how-to-clean-your-stylus

Swifter... I need to get some method.


Stylus cleaning...Interesting, I've just had a brush thing that I bought decades ago. I tried the magic eraser. Look! There was a diamond under all that gunk.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1683986093.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1683986093.jpg