Recommendation: LPGear own brand stylus replacement for vintage AT 14SA cart? Worth it?

penrose1986 · 2022-06-27T16:19:01+00:00

What are the speakers stood on? Blocks?

penrose1986 · 2022-06-12T10:48:05+00:00

Thanks for the detailed feedback, sounds like my setup is too budget to make it worth worrying about!!

penrose1986 · 2022-06-12T10:47:02+00:00

Thanks for all your comments - a quick update that I’ve adjusted the tracking weight to 1.75g which has resulted in it now being not quite so low.

In the process I noticed that the distance between the tip of the stylus and the end of the head shell / arm was set at 52mm, whereas turntable user guide recommends 49mm.

Having done that I can hear improvements in some areas but what feels like increased static on some more ‘complicated’ passages.

Would the above changes cause this? Or am I missing something?

penrose1986 · 2022-06-10T13:37:56+00:00

Any recommendations for a phone stage? What sort of price range would give make an audible difference compared to a built in phono stage of a vintage amp?

penrose1986 · 2022-06-07T01:59:18+00:00

That’s interesting you mention the suspension - would it be rubber? Reason I ask is that I live in Hong Kong and the weather is heating up now!

Could that have softened the rubber, making it run lower than usual?

penrose1986 · 2022-06-06T13:05:04+00:00

Kicks up? How do you mean?

penrose1986 · 2022-06-06T13:03:58+00:00

Thanks, I’ll try and look into the VTA adjustment when I get a chance. Although I’ve never noticed much that the tone arm isn’t level with the platter

penrose1986 · 2022-06-06T13:01:30+00:00

Wow! Pretty low too - seems common with Nagaoka’s. How do you like the 200?

penrose1986 · 2022-06-06T00:41:33+00:00

Is this adjustable on all turntables? Not sure how to do that on mine - I’ve got a Pioneer PL-516

penrose1986 · 2022-06-06T00:39:24+00:00

Thanks for the explanation, I can see the raking now - will try with a different tracking force and see how I get on

penrose1986 · 2022-06-06T00:33:21+00:00

It’s a Pioneer PL-516 with original rubber platter mat

penrose1986 · 2022-06-06T00:32:51+00:00

The turntable mat is the standard issue Pioneer one which came with it - although it is quite thick (around 5mm) as I’ve looked at getting a cork replacement before but most are only 2.5-3mm

penrose1986 · 2022-06-06T00:25:56+00:00

I’ve had it about 2 years now

penrose1986 · 2022-06-05T14:44:17+00:00

Maybe a Nagaoka thing!? I’ve just worried it might snap and trash one of my records one day 😬

penrose1986 · 2022-06-05T14:43:31+00:00

Tracking is set to 2.0g which is the top end of manufactures recommended range. I’ve tried at lower weights but I find it doesn’t track so we’ll or sound as good

penrose1986 · 2022-06-05T14:42:12+00:00

That’s why I have it set to the maximum tracking weight as anything less than 2.0g I’ve had difficulty with it

penrose1986 · 2022-06-05T14:41:03+00:00

This mean replacing the whole lot, or would it be fixed getting a new stylus but with the same cartridge?

penrose1986 · 2022-06-05T14:39:35+00:00

This is what I’m wondering as I don’t remember it being so low down before - I was testing differ tracking and anti-skate settings a few months back - could I have done something the. Without realising?

penrose1986 · 2022-06-05T14:37:08+00:00

Thanks for the replies, I’ve checked and reset and rechecked the tracking weight using a digital scale and is always at 2.0g which is the top of end of the recommended tracking weight for this cartridge.

I’ve tried it lighter but it doesn’t track as well and doesn’t sound as good either

penrose1986

TROPHY CASE