Replacement Needle/Cartridge - Project Debut

[stanleyk]

Hi all,

I want to start using my vinyl again, however I fear the needle/cartridge may need replacing (crackly and muddy sounding). Having not done this before, is it possible to replace just the needle on the Project Debut or do I need to replace the whole cartridge? Do I have to replace like for like, Ortofon, or can it be any make? The Ortofon seems quite expensive compared to the original cost of the player.

Thanks for any help

 

[Andrew Everard]

The stylus on the Ortofon cartridge is replaceable: the stylus assembly should just pull out from the main cartridge body. Depends which cartridge it is - the Debuts use an OM5, as far as I remember - but replacements start at around the £35 mark.

 

[stanleyk]

Thanks Andrew,

I haven't touched the stylus since purchasing so I assume it must be the OM5e, I will have a look and see what I can find, direct replacement of stylus is best option here then?

 

[Greenwich_Man]

Yes it will be an OM5e - but you could replace it with an OM10 stylus - really improves the sound

 

[Andrew Everard]

Indeed.

 

[The_Lhc]

I picked up an Ortofon 2M Red for my Debut II from Henley at the Bristol Show yesterday, £72, it's the entire cartridge. The Blue was £155 which I didn't think was worth the money, I may as well have bought a new turntable. The guy from Henley said at a later date I could replace the red stylus with the Blue for a further upgrade (although the stylus is £115 by itself!).