Turntables - stylus and cartridge questions

[admin_exported]

Hi everyone

My partner has got a project/hobby going on at the moment but has become a bit flummoxed...rather than create a new account she's asking her question through my account...

I have a Pro-ject Debut III Phono SB which I am using to back up LPs. Some (relatively) brand new, some second hand and looking it. I haven't changed anything on it. I've probably only transferred about 30 LPs so far.

Using an XFi sound card with Creative Smart Recorder I've cleaned up any pops, clicks and crackles on it, I've been very impressed using my Sennheiser 595s to listen to the result.

However, I'm not the most experienced audiophile! And I was looking at the back of one of my Dad's Jazz CDs from the 60s and it said about changing sapphire styli (is that the right plural?) ever 40 hours and diamond every 2000.

Now..... errrrr..... what is the stylus I'm using made of?

How long should I leave it before I change it?

Should I be changing it anyway – I've seen replacements for about £35 and as much as £200 – how do I know what I should get? How much of a difference does it make and what is that difference.

I'm pretty sure I don't want to change the cartage as that sounds fiddly but if you can give me a compelling reason to change it I will look into it.

I also have 78s to transfer and I have a 78 stylus – how often should I be changing that?

Suddenly I'm feeling very under informed. Is there any other questions I should have asked and haven't?

Thanks everyone!

 

[John Duncan]

Very probably a diamond, since I don't think you get Sapphires any more. If this is a one off exercise you may find it worthwhile changing to a better stylus (the OM5 takes several, as you've found), but I probably wouldn't go further than the OM10 stylus at £45.

Can't really help with the 78 side of it though (or indeed the longevity of any of the OM styli) - perhaps Henley will jump in to assist...

 

[Henley]

I'd tend to change the LP stylus after 1250 - 1500 hours and the 78 stylus after around 500 - 750 hours

 

[fatboyslimfast]

Pretty much what Henley said, except I would suggest maybe a bit less for the 78, as it tends to need the tracking weight increased by a gram or so which would decrease the life a bit more, in addition to the extra wear given by the shellac surface.