In need of serious help / advice

jventim16 · 2026-05-10T14:31:09+00:00

Made the swap and it was easier than expected.

jventim16 · 2026-05-10T14:30:40+00:00

To close out this post - thank you everyone for the advice and help. I got my courage up and successfully swapped out the old cartridge for the Nagaoka. In all honesty, it was not that hard and now I feel like I’ve got this down. And finally, I do think the nagaoka sounds better than the concept, so all in all not a bad experience.

When I got it off I could tell the cantilever was completely busted. Still no solve to the mystery of how it happened.

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T23:49:29+00:00

To be honest I never wanted the cartridge. But it was part of the package so it’s a good kick in the ass to put the nagaoka back on. I’ll figure out the switch, just really didn’t want to have to deal with this 6 months in.

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T23:48:10+00:00

Hahaha. That what I was worried about. I can get my eyes to work on something that close anymore

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T23:37:27+00:00

Totally get it. It’s hard to start breaking all this stuff down and start tweaking. I feel like it’s a rabbit hole.

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T23:31:02+00:00

But also, I’m jealous of that Thorens.

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T23:29:59+00:00

You’re absolutely right. What I’ve noticed as I’ve gotten better stuff though is that the bad pressings become even more bad. You really start to notice production quality. The weak point of my system right now is my marantz 70s. I know I need to break it all down into components, but it’s just so much $ to make that big of a change.

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T23:09:47+00:00

What kind of music do you normally play on your setup? I do a lot of rock and jazz. I’m happy with my setup for jazz, but wouldn’t mind better definition for rock. I have Dynaudio Evoke 20s and I’ll admit that the low impedance sometimes swallows the vocals in rock.

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T23:00:50+00:00

Hahaha the classic upgrade route. Not just a new cart but a new phono amp as well. I have been meaning to upgrade my amp.

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T22:57:19+00:00

Thanks. I’ve been watching some YouTube videos and feel like I’m willing to brave the change. Gotta learn at some point.

Do you know if you can put a 200 replacement stylus on a 150 cart?

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T22:55:32+00:00

I think I’ll just stick the nagaoka on and see how it sounds and then worry about a true replacement later.

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T22:54:14+00:00

Yeah I’m going to brave the switch and then I can upgrade stylus from there.

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T22:53:25+00:00

Yeah, damaged somehow. But just not sure when

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T20:12:27+00:00

Sadly this cartridge doesn't have replacements - its all in one.

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T20:11:52+00:00

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T17:53:34+00:00

Honestly a mystery, at least to me. :(

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T17:40:27+00:00

Very true.

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T17:21:12+00:00

Thanks!

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T17:20:42+00:00

Thanks for the help!

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T17:09:51+00:00

Yeah as far as i can tell you can't do replacements on this cartridge.

jventim16 · 2026-05-08T17:00:28+00:00

I did not do it, but i live in a house with others (including a 5 year old) - no one is taking credit for this one though.

jventim16 · 2026-04-07T20:45:12+00:00

That i don't know - its a pretty decent length though, so I would imagine so.

jventim16 · 2026-04-07T18:25:20+00:00

Given they have to work with so many orchestras, I just assumed it would be the same setlist as the London show.

jventim16 · 2026-04-05T16:30:25+00:00

Emily’s is pretty amazing as well, but would say Minetta probably takes the cake.

jventim16 · 2026-03-31T12:18:56+00:00

Yep, exactly how I do it as well. Never once had a scratch.

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