clearaudio aurum classic mk2 cartridge questions

[jc1young]

I have recently obtained a clearaudio emotion turntable that included the aurum classic MK2 cartridge. I followed the cartridge install procedure and used the platter/tonearm/cartridge alignment guide. I have a few questions.

Q1: the cartridge stylus is not perpendicular to the cartridge housing when viewed from the front. Is this a problem. Could the stylus have been bent when it was being disassembled for shipment.

Q2: when tracking on an LP, it appears the cartridge housing (behind the stylus) is touching the LP surface. Is this another indication that the stylus is damaged and no longer correctly mounted to the cartridge or do I have some type of tone arm adjustment problem.

Q3: if I need to replace the cartridge should I purchase another aurum classic M2 or one of the newer concept cartridges

Please advise since the clearaudio manuals are very sketchy.

 

[Balifly]

I have recently obtained a clearaudio emotion turntable that included the aurum classic MK2 cartridge. I followed the cartridge install procedure and used the platter/tonearm/cartridge alignment guide. I have a few questions.

Q1: the cartridge stylus is not perpendicular to the cartridge housing when viewed from the front. Is this a problem. Could the stylus have been bent when it was being disassembled for shipment.

Q2: when tracking on an LP, it appears the cartridge housing (behind the stylus) is touching the LP surface. Is this another indication that the stylus is damaged and no longer correctly mounted to the cartridge or do I have some type of tone arm adjustment problem.

Q3: if I need to replace the cartridge should I purchase another aurum classic M2 or one of the newer concept cartridges

Please advise since the clearaudio manuals are very sketchy.

Please post some close up frontal pictures of the cartridge.

 

[neobop]

Check the bottom of the cart body and see if the plastic part that holds the cantilever is seated properly. If it is, you probably need a new stylus.

If so, you don't have to replace the whole cart. You can get an AT95 replacement stylus and trim off the plastic like the original. LpGear and TurntableNeedles sells upgrade styli.
neo

 

[jc1young]

Front view and side view pictures

 

[Balifly]

Front view and side view pictures

The cantilever looks some what askew in the first picture. :scratch2:

 

[neobop]

It's a little hard to tell from your 2nd photo, but the black plastic part underneath looks like it isn't seated all the way. The bottom should be flush with the cart body, just sticking out a little.

There's a lip on the plastic that should go up against the metal. You can remove the stylus by grabbing that lip and gently pulling straight down. You might want to try reseating it. If the cantilever is still skewed maybe some anti-skate will fix it.
neo