Cartridge gone bad?

C

Crumpster

New Member
Hello fellow turntable enthusiasts! I am looking for some advice. I just fired up my Realistic Lab-420 TT after many years of just sitting there to transfer some of my old 33's and 45's to my computer. The first thing I noticed was sound only coming from the left channel. I then proceeded to troubleshoot the problem by checking all my RCA cable connections, etc. Even tried using different inputs for other devices. Took cartridge holder off of TT and checked all leads and cleaned connections also. Still only left channel sound. The receiver is functioning fine in other modes like tuner and from computer output. From what I have been reading on this forum it sounds like my cartridge is bad.

Wondering if you all agree and if so where the heck can I get a replacement or substitute for a Shure R 1000 cartridge or am I out of luck? Thanks for your help!! ~Steve~
 
Register to hide this ad
Could be the cartridge (or the stylus). If the connections between the headshell and receiver are good and the PHONO section of the receiver is too then it more or less has to be the cartridge or stylus. That being said, cartridge problems are much less common than ones with the wiring.

How did you check the wiring? Did you just inspect it physically or did you check for electrical continuity? Also, what model cartridge do you have?

John
 
Have you swapped the RCAs at the receiver to see if the problem follows? The reason to check that is that the phono position of the selector switch (or push button) may have some corrosion after not being used for "many years".
 
Crumpster said:
Hello fellow turntable enthusiasts!

Wondering if you all agree and if so where the heck can I get a replacement or substitute for a Shure R 1000 cartridge or am I out of luck? Thanks for your help!! ~Steve~
Click to expand...

Welcome to the AK turntable forum!:music:

There are various on line sources and also various replacements stylus for the Shure R1000 EDT cartridge.

Here are some links :

http://www.lptunes.com/Stylus-for-Shure-R1000EDT-R1000-EDT-cartridge-p/shsr1000edt.htm

http://www.lptunes.com/Replacement-for-Shure-N75HE-Type-2-needle-stylus-p/shn075het2lp.htm
 
rather than sticking with the shure, i suggest going to a different cartridge. suggestions are ortofon 2mred, orto om10, grado black, or Audio-Technica AT-110E (see the thread here on ak turntable forum comparing it to the at440ML).

http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=388045

continue troubleshooting your problem first but consider a new cartridge as i am convinced that it would be a decent improvement over the shure cart.

http://www.lpgear.com/product/ATC110E.html
 
hifitommy said:
rather than sticking with the shure, i suggest going to a different cartridge. suggestions are ortofon 2mred, orto om10, grado black, or Audio-Technica AT-110E (see the thread here on ak turntable forum comparing it to the at440ML).

http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=388045

continue troubleshooting your problem first but consider a new cartridge as i am convinced that it would be a decent improvement over the shure cart.

http://www.lpgear.com/product/ATC110E.html
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with that Shure. It's an M75ED. A lot of very good stylus choices for it. Plus, at this point I suspect that the OP would just like to have two functioning channels. In his situation my first thought would be to get the table working. After that I might think about tweaks.

John
 
Last edited:
the ONLY stylus i would consider for a shure would never be a shure replacement but the JICO SAS.

all stock shure carts i have heard and owned (currently a v15Vxmr) have left me unstirred. all of my other carts have life and excitement that is absent in the shures.

there has been considerable lauding of the jico sas and i am tempted to get one but i am well equipped in carts including the grace f9e that i am currently listening to.

of late, until i mounted the f9e, i have been preferring moving coil carts and that preference still stands. the grace performs well enough to stay in place for a while though.
 
hifitommy said:
the ONLY stylus i would consider for a shure would never be a shure replacement but the JICO SAS.

all stock shure carts i have heard and owned (currently a v15Vxmr) have left me unstirred. all of my other carts have life and excitement that is absent in the shures.

there has been considerable lauding of the jico sas and i am tempted to get one but i am well equipped in carts including the grace f9e that i am currently listening to.

of late, until i mounted the f9e, i have been preferring moving coil carts and that preference still stands. the grace performs well enough to stay in place for a while though.
Click to expand...

Ah, I get it now! You don't like Shures! ;)

John
 
not exactly true. i have tried more than a couple in my system and actually have the Vxmr mounted and ready. there is just 'something' missing. i hope the SAS stylus solves that problem.

i will state that the Vxmr sounds livelier and better with the brush up.
 
boreas said:
Could be the cartridge (or the stylus). If the connections between the headshell and receiver are good and the PHONO section of the receiver is too then it more or less has to be the cartridge or stylus. That being said, cartridge problems are much less common than ones with the wiring.

How did you check the wiring? Did you just inspect it physically or did you check for electrical continuity? Also, what model cartridge do you have?

John
Click to expand...
Hi John. Thanks for your input. I was afraid someone would ask about the wiring. Don't have the tool or knowledge to check the continuity. I took the shell off the arm and removed the cartridge using pliers to remove the wires. Also removed and put back the wires on the other side. So to answer your question I just visually checked the wires. Someone also mentioned reversing the RCA jacks on the phono imputs of the receiver which I just tried. The sound did change sides from left to right. The cartridge is a Shure R1000 model. How would I check continuity?
 
12ax7 said:
Have you swapped the RCAs at the receiver to see if the problem follows? The reason to check that is that the phono position of the selector switch (or push button) may have some corrosion after not being used for "many years".
Click to expand...
Hi Gary. Great idea about switching the leads! I hadn't thought of that but did try it and the sound did switch from left to right. Thanks ~Steve~
 
hifitommy said:
rather than sticking with the shure, i suggest going to a different cartridge. suggestions are ortofon 2mred, orto om10, grado black, or Audio-Technica AT-110E (see the thread here on ak turntable forum comparing it to the at440ML).

http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=388045

continue troubleshooting your problem first but consider a new cartridge as i am convinced that it would be a decent improvement over the shure cart.

http://www.lpgear.com/product/ATC110E.html
Click to expand...
Thanks for the options. Do I need to buy a new stylus along with the new cartridge? Thanks... ~Steve~
 
Crumpster said:
Hi John. Thanks for your input. I was afraid someone would ask about the wiring. Don't have the tool or knowledge to check the continuity. I took the shell off the arm and removed the cartridge using pliers to remove the wires. Also removed and put back the wires on the other side. So to answer your question I just visually checked the wires. Someone also mentioned reversing the RCA jacks on the phono imputs of the receiver which I just tried. The sound did change sides from left to right. The cartridge is a Shure R1000 model. How would I check continuity?
Click to expand...

It is very likely that RCA cable is defective and needs to be replace.
 
Hey a Buffalo native! I live in the town of Hamburg just a short distance south of Buffalo. My sister lives out your way a little farther north in Oakland. Thanks for your suggestions. Although I aspired to be an audiophile when I was younger I have given up that desire due to lack of funds and modern tech. My ears have been ruined by the noisy plant that I worked in also. I have gotten some great advice but am not sure of what or how to check next! ~Steve~
 
Crumpster said:
The cartridge is a Shure R1000 model.
Click to expand...

Yup! That's the same as an M75ED. Radio Shack had Shure do up the regular Shure cartridges and styli with Radio Shack numbers. They're the same in every way except name to the corresponding Shure model.

How would I check continuity?
Click to expand...

Why, with a continuity checker of course!

Really ;)

Many digital multimeters have a setting where they pass a low voltage through the device being checked. If the current makes it from one probe on the multimeter, through the circuit being checked and into the other probe on the multimeter there's an audible beep. If the circuit is open, no beep.

If you have one - or get one - we'll walk you through how to check the circuit for continuity and how to check the cartridge (different procedure).

John

Oh, and my mom was from Buffalo.
 
Geez... and I was going to give you a freebie multimeter but I see in another thread that you picked up one from RS. I bought a small framing square at Harbor Freight today and got another free meter. I'm getting over run with the things. The one you bought is no doubt better though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom