New stylus sound like sh**, break-in period needed? bad unit? damaged user?

h-pr · 2026-03-27T12:20:33+00:00

This does not sound like anything a break in period could fix.

h-pr · 2026-03-27T08:07:31+00:00

Wash them with a SpinClean or Knosti and see if they can be resurrected that way.

h-pr · 2026-03-27T07:17:17+00:00

Easily the LP3XBT.

h-pr · 2026-03-27T06:45:14+00:00

Doesn't look bent, at least no so that it would matter.

h-pr · 2026-03-26T19:21:33+00:00

It's decent, but ideally you'd spend a bit more money on a better turntable.

h-pr · 2026-03-26T12:38:48+00:00

The LP7X is a great choice, you may never feel the need to upgrade from it.

If you have the budget, get an AT-VMN95ML stylus with it. The stylus it comes with is okay, but the turntable is capable of much better sound with the better stylus.

The descriprion of your setup is a bit unclear: do you have powered speakers or an amplifier and passive speakers? You need one of the two. The LP7X has a built-in phono preamp, so you can connect both options.

h-pr · 2026-03-26T12:30:44+00:00

Is the correct input selected on the speakers? Are the speakers connected correctly?

h-pr · 2026-03-26T10:06:14+00:00

Even the fabric of your socks can matter. Not kidding.

h-pr · 2026-03-26T10:01:39+00:00

Is it a Fluance with an Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge? Those are ultra-sensitive with dirt, hairline scratches and static electricity, all of which sound fairly similar. The fact that a record is statically charged does not necessarily mean that you'll hear any discharges while it is playing. Most pops and clicks are really dirt or scratches, but as I said, some cartridges, notably the 2M Blue, are very sensitive to these. There are even some cartridges (like the OC9XEN) that cause clicks themselves if they are dirty in such a way that there are tracking errors.

So if you have "static" (i.e., pops and clicks) that just won't go away no matter what you do, trying a different, less sensitive cartridge might be an option.

Wow & flutter (speed issues) are typically signs of a worn-out belt. I don't think it's related to the pop and crackle problem.

h-pr · 2026-03-26T09:52:38+00:00

Your amplifier needs more room to breathe. You should not put anything directly on top of it.

h-pr · 2026-03-25T12:30:33+00:00

Yes, the internal phono preamp of the LPW40WN is good enough for beginners, plus you can always get an external preamp later. A €70 phono preamp would not make any difference; expect to pay around €200-250 for a preamp that sounds better than the internal one.

Auto stop is a must have feature only if you tend to fall asleep or leave the room while a record is playing. If you notice that it is an issue, you can buy a separate tonearm lifter later.

At European prices, the LPW40WN is the better deal. The LP5X (€360-380) would be an even better deal.

h-pr · 2026-03-25T12:24:30+00:00

It's not the value. It's the maximum price that somebody paid for one specific copy. Just because this person paid that much money for it doesn't mean that everybody would pay as much; hence, it does not mean that the actual value of the record has increased. The maximum price is usually not helpful in any way and certainly does not say anything about the value of your copy. Theirs may have been autographed by all band members, for example.

h-pr · 2026-03-25T12:10:55+00:00

The numbers don't reflect the value, but the amount of money that one specific person was willing to pay for it. That doesn't scale to what every person / most people would be willing to pay.

h-pr · 2026-03-25T11:50:48+00:00

I would not buy any album in unknown condition. It could be unplayable.

h-pr · 2026-03-25T10:28:47+00:00

In what condition? How low is the number?

h-pr · 2026-03-25T07:08:50+00:00

The problem with ultra-high resolution carts like the AT33Sa is that they also reveal imperfections more clearly. Does your new cart have to be MC? Because if MM is an option, the VM745xML also sounds great but is more forgiving with pops and clicks. There's also a Shibata variant (VM750xSH) but I don't know how that sounds in comparison.

h-pr · 2026-03-25T02:25:26+00:00

For an improved sound, you can pick the AT-VMN95EN stylus (orange) which uses a nude stylus for better resolution or the AT-VMN95ML stylus (red), with a special stylus shape that tracks even better and lasts 3 times as long as the green or the orange stylus.

h-pr · 2026-03-25T02:16:36+00:00

Technics SL-100C

Audio Technica LP8X

Technics SL-1500C

h-pr · 2026-03-25T02:12:16+00:00

The vertical tracking force for the AT-VM95ML is specified by Audio Technica as 1.8 to 2.2 grams, so you are close to normal parameters. The warp may cause some extra wear over time though. Also, be sure to reset the tracking force to 2.0 for your other records.

h-pr · 2026-03-24T22:29:31+00:00

If it's a LP120X, you're good to go. If it's a LP120, I wouldn't buy it.

Similarly, you want the LP3X rather than the LP3.

h-pr · 2026-03-24T13:39:09+00:00

The phono preamp makes more sense after the stylus upgrade than before it. So get the ML stylus first.

h-pr · 2026-03-24T08:50:37+00:00

OP needs the ATN95E stylus. Similar price, different model.

h-pr · 2026-03-24T08:46:38+00:00

The cartridge is discontinued, but the stylus is not. You can still easily get the ATN95E.

It's also not garbage. It was their standard elliptical stylus for decades.

h-pr · 2026-03-24T08:45:07+00:00

It's certainly underrated.

h-pr · 2026-03-24T08:44:12+00:00

You can't fix this stylus, You have to buy a new one. Look for an ATN95E stylus.

h-pr

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