Help needed with Ortofon 2M cartridge

[simon gyro]

Hi all

First time post, so hello...

Wondering if anyone can help.

My Ortofon seems to be picking up lots of fluff when playing any vinyl (which it didn't used to!), which means half way through a side its starting to distort (as its dragging all the fluff with it!)

Could this mean

a) the 2M needs a damn good clean, or

b) the 2M is knackered (it's had around 800-1000hrs as a rough estimate - 2.5 years old playing a mix of old and new vinyl)

Any advice welcome, with regards lotions and potions to attempt to clean it, or any dealers in the South London area (i've previously use Unilet) that anyone can recommend that specialise in servicing turntables & carts.

Many thanks

S

 

[Lost Angeles]

Your records need cleaning, the stylus is just doing it's job.

 

[Al ears]

Sounds as if it is doing a very good job too.

 

[simon gyro]

Yep, I thought it might be the records too, but it's happening to all of them...even after a wipe clean.

This has has only started happening recently, before that any dust/fluff would just get cleared aside (as it should as it plays)...

 

[Al ears]

It may be just down to static build up, who knows?

However it might be worth investing in a carbon fibre record brush (see link below) and use this before playing every LP.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Antistatic-Carbon-Fibre-Record-Cleaning/dp/B00A4X7DIA

 

[simon gyro]

Hi Al ears

thats the one I currently use...

I'm thinking stylus might be worn or really dirty...hard to tell as they're so small.

Any stylus cleaner you can recommend? Before I get someone to look at it properly

 

[Jim-W]

I wonder if it might be some damage to the cantilever but that's an issue that normally afflicts Audio Technica cartridges. You could check the VTA too as this could affect picking up dust.

 

[Lost Angeles]

Does your turntable have a lid?

 

[Al ears]

Gyrodec SE do not come with lids, as you are obviously aware, and probably why you posed the question. It is a good idea for the OP to source an aftermarket one.

@Jim_W I'd be very interested to hear how VTA effects dust collection. :shifty:

 

[Lost Angeles]

Gyrodec SE do not come with lids, as you are obviously aware, and probably why you posed the question. It is a good idea for the OP to source an aftermarket one.

Yeah, I have a lid with the Orbe SE, it is a bit of a monstosity but it does keep the dust of. I also had to make a frame to sit under it as the Illustrious arm is too high.

 

[Jim-W]

Gyrodec SE do not come with lids, as you are obviously aware, and probably why you posed the question. It is a good idea for the OP to source an aftermarket one.

@Jim_W I'd be very interested to hear how VTA effects dust collection. :shifty:

The body of the Ortofon 2M carts are very close to the surface of a record even if they are perfectly aligned and are parallel to the record; if the cart was badly aligned, nose down or tail down, it would mean part of the body of the cart would be almost touching the surface of the record. I think this may lead to dust and muck, thrown out of the groove by a stylus, becoming trapped and building up which could lead to problems.

 

[simon gyro]

No it doesnt have a lid, but it does have a Unicover to keep dust off.

Although, as I've been using it for 4 years without this dust/fluff issue, I'm inclined to thing its more of a stylus/cartridge issue, as its only started happening recently, so I think I'm asking for any stylus cleaning methods that anyone can recommend (have already tried brushing it with carbon fibre stylus brush), or recommend a good dealer who wont try and charge me for a new cart/stylus if I dont need one...

...or any other suggestions that might help...thanks for the replies so far

S

 

[simon gyro]

Hi Jim-W

Sounds possible...

 

[Al ears]

I found the Unicover to be a bit useless but as you say the problem has only recently surfaced then it could be down to failed suspension in the cartridge.

I don't suppose you have a backup you could try? Borrow one from a mate?

From your listed hours it may very well be knackered, time to by a new stylus?

That will be £65 to you sir! :type:

Personally I'd spend £84 on a new Nagaoka MP110 complete

 

[simon gyro]

Hi Al ears

Yep, I thinkl its time to visit someone to have this looked at...(not technical myself, and wouldn't trust myself to fit a sylus/cartridge without breaking it...)

Might have helped if I'd given the right info on this though...its an Ortofon Rondo Red, not a 2M! ...D'oh...

(just double checked when you mentioned the Nagaoka and I though that sounds like a lot less that I paid for the Rondo...)

 

[Al ears]

Aha!

The Rondo Red is a completely different kettle of fish. No replaceable stylus here the, just a £265 trade-in scheme.

This is a moving coil type I believe. Do you use a step-up transformer or phono preamp?

If you are looking to replace for about the same money you could do better.

 

[simon gyro]

oh bu@@er...

Yes it is MC. £265 sounds a lot

I've got the trichord dino phono preamp so I can change the settings for whichever cart I want...

What could you recommend in the £250-300 bracket to replace the Rondo? Do dealers still do dems for cartridges these days?...not bought one for a while.

 

[stevebrock]

Nagaoka MP200 ???

 

[Al ears]

One of the hardest items to get to audition.

I have trouble actually finding a dealer these days let alone one that will let you audition cartridges.

Bite the bullet and trade-in your Rondo for same or spend slightly less on a Nagaoka MP150.

The MP200 is better but not cheap even if you import from the States (eBay). Otherwise they are arond £350 but note they do have replaceable stylus.

Bear in mind these are moving magnet devices but your Trichord Dino should allow settings to be changed for this should you decide to go down this route.

I quite like the Grado cartridges I've heard as well but do not feel they would offer you the same quality as your Rondo for the same money.

Also you'd be surprised how good a Denon DL-103R can sound.

 

[stevebrock]

Got my MP200 form japan £260 inc import duty

 

[plastic penguin]

Hi Al ears

Yep, I thinkl its time to visit someone to have this looked at...(not technical myself, and wouldn't trust myself to fit a sylus/cartridge without breaking it...)

Might have helped if I'd given the right info on this though...its an Ortofon Rondo Red, not a 2M! ...D'oh...

(just double checked when you mentioned the Nagaoka and I though that sounds like a lot less that I paid for the Rondo...)

This'll be worth checking out. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clearaudio-Concept-MM-Phono-Cartridge-/331168091872?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Turntables&hash=item4d1b280ee0

I've not heard it myself, but I do own the previous incumbent: The 'Classic Wood', which gets little mention on here, apart from me. It's a punchy cart with a crisp treble, never ragged... this could fit your brief. Good price, too.

 

[floyd droid]

I do own the previous incumbent: The 'Classic Wood', which gets little mention on here, apart from me.

Theres a reason for this PP.

No bu**er else on here owns one, at a rough guess

 

[floyd droid]

Yes it is MC. £265 sounds a lot

Nein ! Pocket money cart. Your TT and arm deserve something higher up the ladder. Think Benz Ace SL minimum.

 

[simon gyro]

Yes I suppect a better cart like the Benz would be very interesting (was something I considered a while back).

Damn...I knew posting on this forum would tempt me to spend more money

Will have to review finances. Worst case, get Rondo fixed/replaced. Best case, new/different cart.

 

[Al ears]

Yes it is MC. £265 sounds a lot

Nein ! Pocket money cart. Your TT and arm deserve something higher up the ladder. Think Benz Ace SL minimum.

+1

If you are going to up the ante and spend out more then most dealers I know would recommend the Audio Technica OC9 mk3 for your tonearm.

Not a bad cartridge but I'd still plump for a Benz or even a Zyx like mine (if you can find the rare beastie).