Audiokarma Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums

Good morning John.

I only have one unused Electro-Voice 0.5 mil DR-5D I promised to rebuild it into a DR-5D V2 for a guy in New Jersey. If for some reason he does not want it, I will offer it to you.

All the best,
John

I appreciate it, John. I would even consider one of your "used" 0.5mils if they are not worn.

Thanks.

John

Hi John,

I would like some time to think about it if that is okay. It is not going anywhere. I have been ill for months and I am recovering but my energy level is still very low.

All the best,
John

Sorry John. Get well. Absolutely no rush on my part.

Health is of #1 importance to guys of our "vintage" (I have a couple of years on you, but samey same)

John

I will be 66 in October. Have you had your VR-1000 for a long time ? I have many customers for needles for the VR-1000 who never post on the forums.

I've collected 3 over the past 12 years or so. Found them all at local hamfests when they were worth going to. The VR1000 0.5 and elliptical models I got with the original boxes. The other one was loose. I don't think I paid more than $5 each for these.

I ordered about 10 styli from a guy about 10 years ago (can't remember his name offhand, but he had a big business on ebay, and has since retired), and all but 2 were awful. And those 2 were not great.

Your modifications were a revelation, and allowed me to recover the 0.5 mil, which is my favorite, and a couple of other 0.7's, both of which I need to rotate the armature to have the azimuth correct, and the stylus I bought from you off ebay.

My interest in the GE carts started in the early 70s while going to GWU in DC and finding a VRII, and a couple of unused styli in the campus radio station. Mounted it in a Gray 108 damped tonearm on a Rek-O-Kut TT and was amazed at the quality playback with the many mono rock albums I had. It was at this time, the Decca MkV I had was nearing its' end of life, but the similarities in sound were evident.

Does the elliptical sound good ? Can you track it at a reasonable(for an elliptical) VTF ?

I wonder which of my modifications were a revelation ? I had to keep changing course as the quality of the supply got worse. I keep wondering how much better is a London Decca cart vs the VR 1000 ?.

My Decca was a 70s vintage. Tracking was fair. Was a vinyl wrecker at times. So far, the GE hasn't done that. It's been too long ago to remember, but I'm liking the GE alot.

The elliptical lost the tip; never heard it. The mod I performed was removing the glue at the end of the armature, and making sure the dampers were as free of glue as possible. It made all the difference.

I was floored when I discovered glue everywhere on so many of the needles. I have one needle listed on eBay. If you want...look for the DR-7D. I am phoenix needles. It will be easy and inexpensive to send you the very slightly used(one or two album sides) Electro-Voice 0.5 mil doint it that way. If I generate a USPS label, it is $8.40. An eBay shipping label is like $3.00 Please let me know.
All the best,
John

I purchased one of your DR-7D needles a couple of months ago. So in order to send the EV 0.5, do you want me to buy the ebay needle and you'll substitute the EV? Or, let me know if I'm wrong.

Yes, that's correct. Is $25 okay ? That is very close to what I paid for it.