boreas - is there a reason your not using the S1000ZE/X stylus in that?
Here are some basic test results for the 999VE/X from Popular Electronics back in 1971:
View attachment 1071858
That looks like the 4237-DEZ I have. When I first heard it misbehave, you could have heard me yell "Bad stylus! Naughty stylus!" because it really was pretty incompetent. Others who bought it seem to agree. Its signature move was to get right down to within a mm of the record surface, not because the suspension was collapsed but because it was actually made that way. I hope yours is different, but if it isn't, you already have the Astatic NMR, with the 239-DET on the way. Which color did you get?
Cool! Looks like a good issue.
http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Poptronics/70s/1971/Poptronics-1971-06.pdf
While I think your yellow S915E was a victim of manufacturing tolerances and the disaster would not be repeated, if all styli were found to be a more-than-snug fit, I'd be inclined to go with lube of very high viscosity-- the 600,000 cSt silicone oil I've been working with to damp Stanton brushes, for example. Slow insertion and removal would be possible, but in normal use any stylus would tend to stay put, and there'd be no worry of over-lubing. But since only one of three attempts has shown excessive tightness, I'm thinking that a replacement S915E would almost certainly fit normally....I will ask Gary about it but really don't want the same thing to happen to either the Astatic or the S2000Z. I thought of using a little (very little on a cotton swab) synthetic sewing machine oil (Liberty brand) or SuperLube synthetic oil...
Cool! Looks like a good issue.
http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Poptronics/70s/1971/Poptronics-1971-06.pdf
While I think your yellow S915E was a victim of manufacturing tolerances and the disaster would not be repeated, if all styli were found to be a more-than-snug fit, I'd be inclined to go with lube of very high viscosity-- the 600,000 cSt silicone oil I've been working with to damp Stanton brushes, for example. Slow insertion and removal would be possible, but in normal use any stylus would tend to stay put, and there'd be no worry of over-lubing. But since only one of three attempts has shown excessive tightness, I'm thinking that a replacement S915E would almost certainly fit normally.
Did you by any chance happen to photograph the pieces of the wrecked S915E? The fact that it slid in without undue effort tells me the thing was defective. It should have slid out equally easily.
Here are a couple photos of the end of the shaft (the end that sits farthest into cartridge). It looks similar to the other styli that I've used with the exception of a small indentation perpendicular to the shaft length on one of the 4 sides. First pic shows what 3 sides look like, 2nd pic shows the 4th side with the dent. I don't see anything like this dent on the 3 other styli that have been in this cartridge. After the grip came off I did my best to remove the shaft as gently as possible, pulling straight out, so I don't think I did this while removing the shaft although that is a possibility.
View attachment 1073718 View attachment 1073720
Didn't take pics of the other end because it's ugly from where I grabbed it with the pliers and the cantilever/needle was lost in the tussle.
Is it possible to push a stylus too far into an Empire cartridge? Should the stylus grip be up against the cartridge or should there be a bit of space? This seems to vary...I don't want to push too hard but I want it seated properly. There is usually a bit of space with the 2000Z. For the 2000E/III and 8000XVE, no space...grip is right up against the cartridge.
Thanks.
Rob
The Sansui's arm looks lightweight, so it ought to be okay, but the way to really know is to mount the cartridge and see at what frequency the arm/cartridge resonates by using a test record with infrasonic tracks (eg, the Shure Era IV and V "obstacle course" discs). Even if it's not in the ideal range (10 to 15 Hz), you can still enjoy its sound, which should provide greater refinement, especially in the treble, than the Nagaoka 110....Can you experts tell me if this [2000Z] will suit my Sansui XR-Q7 turntable? ... What can I expect to hear that is different from my Nagaoka MP-110 cart?
This might be a clue, or it might not. I do like rread13's idea of polishing the shaft with some fine emery paper, especially if some dent or bulge is visible.... I don't see anything like this dent on the 3 other styli that have been in this cartridge.
Push it in as far as it will go. The grip may contact the body shell along a line or at a couple of points instead of perfectly flush, but no, if the grip is present, you can't push it in too far.Is it possible to push a stylus too far into an Empire cartridge? Should the stylus grip be up against the cartridge or should there be a bit of space? ...
Looks like there was a QC problem! Did yours have a dent or bulge? Okay, I revoke my recommendation of the yellow S915E until further notice. Good idea to have some fine abrasive handy to polish off any irregularities.I too had the same thing happen with my 915E stylus (the yellow one). ... when I went to remove it the yellow nose separated from the shank. Removing the shank with small needle nose pliers destroyed the shank and needle...