What is the best value/portable method of examining a stylus. I don't want to go down the microscope route since i could use very good portable magnification for other purposes as well.
A jeweller's eyeglass comes to mind - any ideas on nec. magnification and make/price or other methods/type?
A jeweller's eyeglass comes to mind - any ideas on nec. magnification and make/price or other methods/type?
I can't believe your post - isn't the thread title self explanatory - stylus examination tool. I have to criticise myself and edit the title I should have put 'best value'.
The best value will probably be a jeweller's eyeglass - 30/60/90 mag. with LED @ £3.28 / free shipping but maybe a vinyl junkie will know of something better, maybe more expensive but present a superior image of the stylus.
I have 3 cartridges to sell and want to give a totally accurate description of the stylus and cantilver as well as regularly check out the status of my relatively expensive MC.
The best value will probably be a jeweller's eyeglass - 30/60/90 mag. with LED @ £3.28 / free shipping but maybe a vinyl junkie will know of something better, maybe more expensive but present a superior image of the stylus.
I have 3 cartridges to sell and want to give a totally accurate description of the stylus and cantilver as well as regularly check out the status of my relatively expensive MC.
If you want to go 'ooh pretty diamond' then an eyeglass is fine. If you want to check for wear you need serious magnification and a proper microscope setup. This is why I asked. USB microscope off ebay won't cut it either.
distortion measurements off a test LP will likely be a better measure of wear.
Stylus Evaluation Imaging- Vinyl Engine for how to do it properly and what you have to buy.
Sorry that's the way it is.
distortion measurements off a test LP will likely be a better measure of wear.
Stylus Evaluation Imaging- Vinyl Engine for how to do it properly and what you have to buy.
Sorry that's the way it is.
So start with the 3-buck jeweller's eyeglass - 30/60/90 mag and see if you need something better.
I think I would not see much through a single-element "90X" lens. Powers over 10X have increasing aberrations (colored fuzzy edges) and we usually want a multi-element magnifier. Sorry, I do not know a good-buy, or what is "value" when selling cartridges (I assume for more than 3 bucks).
I think I would not see much through a single-element "90X" lens. Powers over 10X have increasing aberrations (colored fuzzy edges) and we usually want a multi-element magnifier. Sorry, I do not know a good-buy, or what is "value" when selling cartridges (I assume for more than 3 bucks).
In my experience, a cartridge's sound can deteriorate due to things like aging of the elastomeric dampers. This is not readily evident during a visual examination, even with a high magnification /quality optical system
But with a microscope you possibly may prevent your valuable vinyl from being damaged.
Best regards!
Best regards!
With a 100x child's microscope, I spotted a big chunk out of the tip of my 1977 Grado FTE stylus. The great review in Audio was no tip off to the flawed diamond. So far I haven't seen any similar problems out of my 1979 Shure M97 era IV tip after 40 years use.
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