If you’re an avid vinyl collector, you know how important it is to have a properly functioning turntable cartridge.
Over time, wear and tear can take its toll on your cartridge, resulting in a decline in sound quality. But fear not!
Replacing your turntable cartridge is a relatively simple process that can breathe new life into your vinyl collection.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to replace your cartridge and get your turntable sounding like new again.
Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or a newcomer to the world of vinyl, we’ve got you covered.
So grab your tools and let’s get started!
How To Replace Turntable Cartridge
Step 1: Gather Your Tools
Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary tools. You’ll need a flat-head screwdriver, pliers or tweezers, and a stylus force gauge.
Step 2: Remove the Old Cartridge
Start by loosening the headshell screws on your current cartridge with the flat-head screwdriver. Next, gently unplug each of the four tonearm wires. Make sure you hold the wires by the plastic sleeve to avoid breaking them.
Step 3: Install the New Cartridge
Attach the tonearm wires to the corresponding colored pins on the new cartridge. Since the stylus is fragile, leave the stylus guard on during installation.
Insert the headshell screws into the slots on the headshell and then through the slots on the cartridge housing. Hold the headshell nut in place with your finger and turn the screw until it catches. Repeat with both screws, making sure they are snug but not tightened all the way yet.
Step 4: Align the Cartridge
Use a protractor or alignment tool to ensure that your cartridge is properly aligned. Adjust cartridge alignment by adjusting the positioning of the cartridge along the headshell slots.
Step 5: Check Vertical Tracking Force (VTF)
Use a stylus force gauge to check that your vertical tracking force (VTF) is correct. For MM cartridges, the VTF range is usually 1.5-2 grams, but this varies. The manufacturer’s recommended VTF will be listed on your cartridge’s spec sheet. If you need to adjust VTF, loosen the thumbscrew on the counterweight and adjust its positioning on the back of the arm. Moving it backward will decrease VTF and moving it forward will increase VTF. Once positioned correctly, tighten the thumbscrew.
Step 6: Break In Your New Cartridge
Your new cartridge may need a few hours to break in before it really starts singing.
Understanding Your Turntable Cartridge
Your turntable cartridge is the component that reads the grooves on your vinyl records and converts the vibrations into an electrical signal that can be amplified and played through your speakers. It is a delicate piece of equipment that requires careful handling and maintenance.
When replacing your turntable cartridge, it’s important to choose a cartridge that is compatible with your turntable’s tonearm. Most turntables will have a specific type of cartridge that is recommended for use, so be sure to consult your turntable’s manual or manufacturer’s website before purchasing a new cartridge.
When installing your new cartridge, it’s important to handle it with care to avoid any damage. The stylus (or needle) is especially fragile and should be left in its protective guard until it is securely mounted onto the tonearm.
Once installed, it’s important to properly align the cartridge so that it tracks the grooves of your records accurately. This can be done using a protractor or alignment tool, which will ensure that the stylus is positioned at the correct angle and depth.
Finally, it’s important to check the vertical tracking force (VTF) of your new cartridge to ensure that it is set correctly. This can be done using a stylus force gauge, which will measure the amount of pressure being applied by the stylus onto the record. Adjusting the VTF can be done by moving the counterweight on the back of the tonearm.
By understanding how your turntable cartridge works and how to properly install and maintain it, you can ensure that you are getting the best possible sound quality from your vinyl records.
Gathering The Necessary Tools
In order to replace your turntable cartridge, you’ll need a few essential tools. First and foremost, you’ll need a flat-head screwdriver to loosen the headshell screws on your current cartridge. You’ll also need pliers or tweezers to gently unplug each of the four tonearm wires.
In addition to these basic tools, you’ll need a stylus force gauge to ensure that your new cartridge is properly calibrated for optimal sound quality. This tool measures the amount of pressure that the stylus exerts on the record surface, which affects both tracking ability and sound quality.
To properly align your new cartridge, you’ll also need a protractor or alignment tool. This tool helps you adjust the positioning of the cartridge along the headshell slots to ensure that it’s properly aligned with the record grooves.
While some of these tools may seem specialized and expensive, they’re essential for ensuring that your turntable sounds its best. Fortunately, most of these tools can be purchased for a reasonable price, with a budget of around £20 being enough to cover the cost of both a stylus force gauge and alignment tool.
By gathering all the necessary tools ahead of time, you’ll be able to replace your turntable cartridge with confidence and precision, ensuring that your music sounds better than ever before.
Removing The Old Cartridge
Before you can install a new cartridge, you need to remove the old one. Start by loosening the headshell screws on your current cartridge using a flat-head screwdriver. Once the screws are loose, gently unplug each of the four tonearm wires. Make sure to hold the wires by the plastic sleeve to avoid breaking them.
Once all four wires are unplugged, you can remove the old cartridge from the headshell. Take care not to damage the tonearm wires or any other components during this process.
It’s worth noting that some turntable owners prefer to remove the headshell to install a new cartridge. However, this is not recommended unless necessary, as it requires adjusting azimuth upon re-installation.
With the old cartridge removed, you can now proceed to install your new one following the steps outlined above.
Installing The New Cartridge
Now that you have removed the old cartridge, it’s time to install the new one. Begin by attaching the tonearm wires to the corresponding colored pins on the new cartridge. Take extra care when handling the stylus, as it is extremely fragile. We recommend leaving the stylus guard on during installation to prevent any accidental damage.
Next, insert the headshell screws into the slots on the headshell and then through the slots on the cartridge housing. Hold the headshell nut in place with your finger and turn the screw until it catches. Repeat with both screws, making sure they are snug but not tightened all the way yet.
Once the cartridge is mounted, use a protractor or alignment tool to ensure that your cartridge is properly aligned. Adjust cartridge alignment by adjusting the positioning of the cartridge along the headshell slots. We recommend using a cartridge alignment tool for this step, as it is incredibly simple to use and will ensure accurate alignment.
After aligning your cartridge, use a stylus force gauge to check that your vertical tracking force (VTF) is correct. The manufacturer’s recommended VTF will be listed on your cartridge’s spec sheet. If you need to adjust VTF, loosen the thumbscrew on the counterweight and adjust its positioning on the back of the arm. Moving it backward will decrease VTF and moving it forward will increase VTF. Once positioned correctly, tighten the thumbscrew.
Congratulations! Your new cartridge is now installed and ready to play. Keep in mind that your new cartridge may need a few hours to break in before it really starts singing. Enjoy your improved sound quality!
Adjusting The Tracking Force And Alignment
After installing the new cartridge, it is important to adjust the tracking force and alignment for optimal performance.
To adjust the tracking force, first set the turntable anti-skate as per your turntable’s manual. This can have an effect on the final tracking force. The traditional way to apply the stated downward tracking force is to get the arm to float above the platter and then use the counter-weight dial to adjust for tracking force. However, this method may not be 100% accurate. A better way is to use the first method to get as close as possible and then fine-tune until you get the perfect tracking force using a digital tracking force gauge.
Once you have set the tracking force, it’s time to adjust the alignment. Start by setting the stylus overhang. This is done by getting the distance from the center of the tonearm pivot to the tip of the stylus to match the manufacturer’s specified length. This will minimize distortion and maximize null points. Loosen your cartridge enough to allow it to slide back and forth with gentle resistance. Then, move the cartridge forward so that the tip of the stylus will lower into the corresponding dot in the alignment tool. Using the grid lines on the Align It, square up the cartridge body so it is parallel to the lines.
While some tonearms with removable headshells allow you to move the cartridge on the tonearm’s axis to ensure that it is at a perfect 90-degree angle to the groove, not all turntables have this feature. Once you have set overhang properly, recheck tracking force as it may have gone up or down by a tenth of a gram or two. Just twist the counterweight very slightly to bring this back to where you were.
The final adjustment is VTA/SRA (Vertical Tracking Angle/Stylus Rake Angle). If you do not have access to a stylus microscope or very sophisticated cartridge alignment tools, then you can “eyeball” this by trying to visually align the bottom of the cartridge body so that it is parallel to the surface of the record. Your instruction manual will tell you how to set this for your turntable, but again, think small increments.
Once you’ve set VTA as best as possible, check tracking force one last time and you’re ready for the final step – anti-skate. When your cartridge is playing through record grooves, centrifugal force wants to pull its stylus towards inside of grooves. Left unchecked, this can cause premature wear of your records, stylus and cause channel imbalance from left to right. Setting anti-skating force properly will keep your stylus where it belongs. If you go too far in either direction, this can cause opposite issues.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your new turntable cartridge is properly installed and aligned for optimal sound quality and longevity.
Testing Your New Cartridge
After installing your new turntable cartridge, it’s important to test it to ensure that it’s working correctly.
First, play a record that you are familiar with and listen closely for any distortion, fuzziness, noise, or other issues. If you notice any problems, check the alignment and tracking force of your cartridge to make sure they are set correctly.
Next, try playing a record that you haven’t listened to before. This will give you a better idea of how your new cartridge is performing and if it’s providing an improved sound quality compared to your old cartridge.
You can also use a frequency sweep test record to check the frequency response of your cartridge. This will help you determine if there are any issues with the high or low end of the sound spectrum.
Finally, if you have access to a digital oscilloscope, you can use it to measure the output of your cartridge. This will give you a more detailed analysis of the performance of your cartridge and help you identify any issues that may need to be addressed.
Overall, testing your new turntable cartridge is an important step in ensuring that you are getting the best possible sound quality from your vinyl records. By following these steps and taking the time to properly install and test your new cartridge, you can enjoy a richer and more immersive listening experience.
