Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   Report Post  
 
Posts: n/a
Default what is the lifespan of a sapphire stylus?

Hello all,

i play my 78's on a 1940 jukebox wich i modified to a neeldle pressure
of 8-10 grams, with an n.o.s ortofon cartridge (it used to be 275 grams
so there is some improvement) i can buy a stylus for the cartridge, but
i'm not sure how long it is safe to play with this needle. I used to
have a astatic N29 and i read somewere
it should be replaced at about 50 playing hours wich is roughly some
800 record sides. Does this apply to any saphire, or does needle
pressure extend the lifespan ?

thanks, Roy

  #2   Report Post  
William Sommerwerck
 
Posts: n/a
Default

The higher the stylus force (not pressure), the faster the stylus and disk
wear out.

Sapphire has a much shorter life expectancy than diamond. 50 hours sounds
about right.


  #3   Report Post  
Adrian Tuddenham
 
Posts: n/a
Default

William Sommerwerck wrote:

The higher the stylus force (not pressure), the faster the stylus and disk
wear out.


...but be careful you don't reduce the pressure to the point where the
stylus begins to loose contact with the groove walls at high slew rates.
Both stylus and disc wear will increase dramatically.


--
~ Adrian Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk
  #5   Report Post  
Scott Dorsey
 
Posts: n/a
Default

wrote:
of 8-10 grams, with an n.o.s ortofon cartridge (it used to be 275 grams
so there is some improvement) i can buy a stylus for the cartridge, but
i'm not sure how long it is safe to play with this needle. I used to
have a astatic N29 and i read somewere
it should be replaced at about 50 playing hours wich is roughly some
800 record sides. Does this apply to any saphire, or does needle
pressure extend the lifespan ?


Increasing tracking force will shorten the lifespan of the stylus.
Get a small hand microcope of around 50X magnification. In the US,
Edmund Scientific has one for around $20. Inspect the stylus now
and then. When it is visibly faceted, replace it.

Diamonds will last longer than sapphires by quite a bit. You can
probably find an aftermarket diamond replacement stylus for your Ortofon.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."


  #6   Report Post  
 
Posts: n/a
Default




Thank you all for your good advise!
I made one mistake in my previous message, i don't have an ortofon, but
a
sonotone cartridge. But i don't think that makes a difference in your
anwsers.

thanks again, Roy


Reply
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules

Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Arced Positional Error of stylus tracking a spiral groove relative to absolute path in linear-motion lathe Jim Gregory Pro Audio 26 May 23rd 05 02:50 PM
Replacement Stylus for Ortofon Concorde 30 Marvin G High End Audio 1 April 1st 05 02:12 AM
Best replacemement stylus for Sony PS-X6 turntable? fan Pro Audio 1 August 16th 04 04:36 PM
78 rpm Turntable, Cartridges and stylus / Few Question Sudhir Tech 9 December 6th 03 11:10 AM
Ortofon Stylus problems-help!!!!! Johnny C High End Audio 5 July 11th 03 03:32 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:10 AM.

Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 AudioBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.
 

About Us

"It's about Audio and hi-fi"