Fuzzing on last track - new stylus?

[BassimNJ]

Hi all, noob here and not really looking to go too far down the $$ rabbit hole.

here’s my setup
JVC LF-210 turntabe
JVC AX 40 amp
Stanton 681 EEE cartridge
Design Accoustics PS-55 bookshelf speakers

Here’s my issue. On certain records, particularly new 2 disc records (where there are 4 tracks per side), the last track starts to sound fuzzy midway through.

I think I may need a new stylus, it came with the turntable and I have no clue how old it is.

I got two suggestions of where to get one. Jico or TVoM’s offerings - https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog/part_detail.asp

Given my setup and frugality, would the lower cost Swiss versions be fine?

Of the ones on TVoM, I’m clueless about the difference. I would have assumed that nude would be better quality than bonded, but they seem to be cheaper.

any advice?

 

[swechsler]

Have you tried taking a close up picture of the stylus tip with a smartphone and then enlarging it? Post it here if you're not sure what you're looking at. Modern tech makes figuring these problems out easier.

Also, how often do you clean the stylus?

ETA: AK will reduce the picture size when you upload it, so before you do, crop the pic to only the stylus itself.

 

[ConradH]

I'll bet any new stylus is better than a worn one. As above, cleaning might clear things up.

 

[slowjoecrow]

Is the anti skate properly set?

 

[Hoytis]

Sounds like you might be experiencing inner groove distortion. Check alignment of the cart first. If you don't have a protractor you can download one here. If it's in alignment and still fuzzy then the stylus is probably worn, which makes it difficult to track those inner grooves. I'd go nude when buying. Better for tracking.

 

[sktn77a]

Check alignment of the cart first.

Inner groove distortion with elliptical (and fine-line) styli is usually caused by misalignment if it's on all records.

 

[Doug G.]

If the stylus was truly worn enough, it would do it regardless of where it was on the record. It sounds more like you have a problem with the arm being not able to track all the way to the end.

Not that you shouldn't get a new stylus if you have doubts about its history or condition.

Doug

 

[twiiii]

If you are using the brush you need to at least add 1/2 gram of weight. I always tracked around 2 grams with a 681 using a brush. The brush also helped by reducing the need for high anti skating settings on inner grooves. You may find the issue is not the cartridge or stylus at all but the binding of or compromised tone arm pivots. Personnally I would be looking for a current cartridge, from AT or Orofon. The suspension for the cantilever has surely become compromised over the last 50 + years. Is the turn table level in all planes, Is the Arm height correct so it is parallel to the record? Does the cantilever remain centered as the cartridge follow the grooves across the record. If their is binding the stylus will veer off toward the center of the record. Is the stylus vertical or perpendicular to the record when viewed from the front? Do you have an accurate digital pressure guage? Remember a dime weighs 2.8 grams if you need to check the accuracy of your gauge.

 

[Pio1980]

If the stylus was truly worn enough, it would do it regardless of where it was on the record. It sounds more like you have a problem with the arm being not able to track all the way to the end.

Not that you shouldn't get a new stylus if you have doubts about its history or condition.

Doug

Tracing distortion from a worn tip.
It begins @ the inner portion and eventually moves outward.