TT cartridge observations

bart_dood · 10th December 2003, 01:31 PM

Hi there, I recently bought a new cartridge for my rega3, I had an elys and replaced it with a super elys last night.
(the super elys sounds great in my new DIY system now!).
Out of curiousity I brought my old elys and an old audio technica into work to examine under the microscope here, the diamond tip seems to be in good condition, but I found one thing puzzling.

The tip and the surrounding areas are coated with this white to slightly brown "dust" and what looks like extremely fine fibres. What is this dust etc? Is it shredded vinyl from LP's or is it crud that has accumulated in the record grooves and been displaced by the cartridge needle?
Anyone have any idea?

Chris

sreten · 10th December 2003, 01:45 PM

Like this ?

http://www.recordcollectorsguild.org...croscopy4.html

bart_dood · 10th December 2003, 01:48 PM

Except the dust etc is spead not only all over the tip, but also the cartridge body near the tip.

Chris

sreten · 10th December 2003, 01:54 PM

The white stuff could be fungus !

http://www.recordcollectorsguild.org...croscopy3.html

sreten · 10th December 2003, 01:57 PM

If you've got dust all over the cartridge body,
your not using a carbon fibre brush, naughty !

/sreten.

bart_dood · 10th December 2003, 01:59 PM

I lost my carbon brush ages ago, plus I always found it difficult to actually remove the dust and stuff from the record, the brush just pushed it around and around.
I keep mean to put together a liquid record cleaner using IPA, I already have some of the parts, perhaps this is a good time to make more effort to get it finished....

Chris

Elso Kwak · 10th December 2003, 02:06 PM

Hi,
I have worked as an electronmicroscopist on the University. I prepared my samples under binoculars and we worked in a "semi dust free" room. Nevertheless I saw a lost of dust through my binoculars and even more on the electronmicroscope. The microworld is really amazing.
The tip of the diamond is clean though and that is what matters. I have also seen static build up on cartridges due to poor or non grounding. I have seen many tips hidden in a hay-barn as we called it in the shop examining tips for customers.
Good luck with your cartridge.

And keep your tip clean

10th December 2003, 01:31 PM	#1
bart_dood diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Massachusetts	TT cartridge observations Hi there, I recently bought a new cartridge for my rega3, I had an elys and replaced it with a super elys last night. (the super elys sounds great in my new DIY system now!). Out of curiousity I brought my old elys and an old audio technica into work to examine under the microscope here, the diamond tip seems to be in good condition, but I found one thing puzzling. The tip and the surrounding areas are coated with this white to slightly brown "dust" and what looks like extremely fine fibres. What is this dust etc? Is it shredded vinyl from LP's or is it crud that has accumulated in the record grooves and been displaced by the cartridge needle? Anyone have any idea? Chris

10th December 2003, 01:48 PM	#3
bart_dood diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Massachusetts	Yes Except the dust etc is spead not only all over the tip, but also the cartridge body near the tip. Chris

10th December 2003, 01:59 PM	#6
bart_dood diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Massachusetts	You're right I lost my carbon brush ages ago, plus I always found it difficult to actually remove the dust and stuff from the record, the brush just pushed it around and around. I keep mean to put together a liquid record cleaner using IPA, I already have some of the parts, perhaps this is a good time to make more effort to get it finished.... Chris

10th December 2003, 02:06 PM	#7
Elso Kwak Banned Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Zamboanga, City of Flowers, Mindanao	DUST Hi, I have worked as an electronmicroscopist on the University. I prepared my samples under binoculars and we worked in a "semi dust free" room. Nevertheless I saw a lost of dust through my binoculars and even more on the electronmicroscope. The microworld is really amazing. The tip of the diamond is clean though and that is what matters. I have also seen static build up on cartridges due to poor or non grounding. I have seen many tips hidden in a hay-barn as we called it in the shop examining tips for customers. Good luck with your cartridge. And keep your tip clean

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10th December 2003, 01:57 PM	#5
sreten diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK	If you've got dust all over the cartridge body, your not using a carbon fibre brush, naughty ! /sreten.

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