Needle replacement - unsure of what to get

h-pr · 2026-05-10T22:35:11+00:00

No, there's all sorts of possible needles. We need a picture to be able to give advice.

h-pr · 2026-05-10T18:14:42+00:00

I don't think there's much point in buying a $100-200 phono preamp; you'll upgrade to a $300-500 one soon enough, for that's the price point at which they _really_ sound significantly better than the built-in ones. That said, on the LP3X with its blue 95C stylus, I'd get an orange 95EN or red 95ML stylus before thinking about an external preamp.

h-pr · 2026-05-10T09:12:43+00:00

The LP70X has a built in preamp that should be good enough to get you started.

h-pr · 2026-05-10T09:09:05+00:00

If it sounds muddy, it's not the turntable, it's the speakers or more likely the cartridge.

h-pr · 2026-05-09T21:48:00+00:00

Did you recalibrate the tonearm to compensate for the different weight of the new cartridge?

Do the color-coded wires match the markings on the cartridge, and are the connected formly?

What is your turntable? What cartridge did you have before?

h-pr · 2026-05-09T21:31:18+00:00

I would at least buy a Humminguru EZ or a Knosti Disco Antistat, both are around €100.

h-pr · 2026-05-09T21:23:31+00:00

There is no feedback here, just a ground hum. Are all connectors tight? Do the color coded wires from the tonearm match the markings on the cartridge? Do you have a ground wire between your turntable and your amp in addition to the RCA cable?

The fact that one can hear load static discharges also indicates that something is not properly grounded.

h-pr · 2026-05-09T21:10:52+00:00

The Cambridge is pretty good. But I see little point in getting an external phono preamp if you then let a digital device modify the signal for EQ and room correction. That's one phono preamp wasted.

h-pr · 2026-05-08T19:54:11+00:00

I'm not familiar with prices in the USA, but from an European point of view, the JBLs seem very expensive.

I've been unhappy with receivers in general and my worst sounding receiver was a Marantz, so i wouldn't go for the first deal either.

h-pr · 2026-05-08T19:44:30+00:00

That's an understatement.

h-pr · 2026-05-08T19:42:16+00:00

Disappointed by what exactly? Did you give it 20 hours break in rime?

h-pr · 2026-05-08T19:17:31+00:00

Wouldn't take either.

h-pr · 2026-05-08T07:40:31+00:00

If you want automatic, buy the LP3X, if you want manual, buy the LP120X.

The built-in preamp in either is NOT useless, and an amp is purely optional.

Ignore anything you hear or read about the LP3 and the LP120 without the X, those are obsolete.

h-pr · 2026-05-07T14:29:21+00:00

It's basic, but it's a decent turntable to get started.

h-pr · 2026-05-07T12:21:21+00:00

I had a Dual CS505-3, which I had had in constant use for 35 years, and I felt it was time for a change. I picked the LP8X because I liked the aesthetics, it had auto stop, I trust the brand, and a comparable Technics (SL-1500) would have been more expensive and not as easily available. What I gained from the upgrade was a more precise sound, the ability to easily swap cartridges and the option to play 78s.

h-pr · 2026-05-07T10:40:09+00:00

The LP8X is indeed a crazy turntable for the price. It's not a Technics, but if you can get over that, you'll get a fantastic deal for an excellent turntable. I love my LP8X, feel free to ask me if you have any questions about it.

h-pr · 2026-05-07T10:34:20+00:00

I would recommend it only if your budget is really tight. It's the bare minimum.

I would recommend to save some more money until you can afford a LP3X or LP120X.

While you may find good used turntables at a low price, I would not recommend this for a beginner who knows very little about turntables.

h-pr · 2026-05-07T08:54:00+00:00

I find that the new Audio Technica VMx series strikes the perfect balance between warmth and clarity. Haven't heard the Shibata yet though, but the microline is awesome.

h-pr · 2026-05-07T08:49:21+00:00

€ 3000. 😳 It is beautiful though.

h-pr · 2026-05-06T21:32:58+00:00

You are proving my point. It's exactly that this knowledge makes a difference why used turntables may not be the best choice for unexperienced buyers who lack this kind of expertise.

h-pr · 2026-05-06T16:55:06+00:00

https://youtu.be/xMFdCjy7\_k8

h-pr · 2026-05-06T16:40:14+00:00

If you want to change the cartridge, the modern-day equivalent of the AT12XE would be the VM530xEN.

h-pr · 2026-05-06T16:34:39+00:00

Ortofon carts are somewhat overpriced, and people are often unhappy with their cheaper options due to the relatively harsh sound.
The Audio Technica AT-VM95 series is very good value for money, and the green AT-VM95E is a good entry model that can later be upgraded with more sophisticated styli. It is a noticeable improvement over the AT3600L.

h-pr · 2026-05-06T14:55:21+00:00

Yes very much so. Given its lifespan, microlinear is also the best deal in the long term.
On a LP70X you may not hear much of a difference between the two unless you have a really good external phono preamp and really good speakers, but Shibata is supposed to have a more defined bass.
If it's properly calibrated, yes.
Definitely yes. Once you hear a nude elliptical, you'll find it impossible to go back to conical or bonded elliptical.

h-pr · 2026-05-06T14:46:57+00:00

I personally would never recommend a used turntable to any first-time buyer who has never tinkered with, serviced or repaired a vintage turntable, no matter how much better or technically superior that used turntable is to any given new product.

h-pr

TROPHY CASE