jochert Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Ok, so I know there's a bunch of people on here who now a lot about record players. So here's some questions. 1. When do you need to replace the needle/stylus? How can you tell it needs replacing? 2. How do you set the tonearm weight correctly? How do you know when you have the right pressure/weight on the needle? 3. Lately when playing records, the record keeps getting stuck in the groove, the groove keeps repeating. This is happening on almost all of my old(er) as well as brand new (1st time played) records. What can I do to correct this? thanks. I'v been using a Thorens TD 160B mkII turntable lately.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
punkrudeboy Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 The tone arm tracking force is determined by the cartridge. Most audiophile ones track at 1.5-2.0g. DJ cartridges track at a lofty 2.5-3.0g's. If its getting stuck in the groove you might have too much weight and or its not tracking properly. <3 Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ps Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Get a stylus force gauge.... I use this one: http://www.needledoctor.com/Shure-SFG-2-Stylus-Force-Gauge?sc=2&category=423 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankerdesk Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 best way is to figure out what the tracking force for your specific cartridge is, then set the tone arm weight so that it balances level (ie it doesn't drop down, or spring up) Then set the counterweight at the end of the arm to what ever your cart needs. Like punkrudeboy said, most carts will be between 1.5 - 2.0g. I believe mine is set at 1.75. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobophobic Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 ANTI-SKATE. What do you have yours set at? Try setting the anti-skate to the same number as the tracking force on the tonearm. (thats assuming that you have the tracking force set correctly) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattstrike Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Most carts are good for 400-500 hours. Less if it's getting mashed into the wax! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjaicomo Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 When I bought mine the place said a diamond stylus is good for 2,000 - 2,500 hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattstrike Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 When I bought mine the place said a diamond stylus is good for 2,000 - 2,500 hours. Sorry, I miswrote - meant 1400. I've always felt that once yr over 1000 hours it's time to start thinking about a new one. Then again, the really good (i.e. $$$ Dynavector) can go longer... but cheap ones? I would say no way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jochert Posted February 24, 2009 Author Share Posted February 24, 2009 Thanks for all the replies. I googled some manuals for the tonearm, cartridge and player, but had no idea what I was reading, but understand it a bit more thanks to your replies. I used to always have simple plug-and-play players, that needed no tweaking and little maintenance. But I recently inherited a Thorens TD 160 mkII, which apparantly is a classic. It also has a high end tone-arm, a SME Series III and a Shure M75G cartridge. I have no idea how old the stylus is, or how many hours it's played, so I was wondering if there was any way you could tell it need's replacing? Like skipping a lot or something? I think I should just get a replacement to be sure, they're only about 20 euros, so....rather that than ruin some records.... I think I solved my 'stuck in groove' issue. The end of the tonearm was tilted. The cartridge wasn't level, so, I straightend it out and it sounds like it's better. Damn kids! haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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