Grace F9 stylus toast?

[twarrenl]

Hello!
I'm new to turntables and after some research I bought a preowned Thorens td-115 mkii with a Grace F9 cartridge. It was shipped well packaged in it's original box with the plate removed and stowed properly. I'm surrounded by stores that sell used records so after researching what to look out for I bought a few unscratched, un warped, and seemingly decent shaped records and brought them home. After a quick cleaning I was excited to get going, however, both records seem to be distorting quite a bit. There are periods when things are smooth, but during some passages they distort and overall the quality is massively lacking, the crackles and pops are as loud as the drums. I re-aligned the tone arm counter weight multiple times, and calibrated the cartridge; when I got more in depth on studying cartridge alignment, most the pictures I came across the stylus was more at a 45 degree angle with the record and I'm noticing this stylus is pointing smack at the record and skewed to one side. It's almost like someone was playing records backwards on it... I have a mini magnifying device and upon looking closer, the stylus doesn't look so pretty, and there appears to be a small hole in the top (I am no expert). Can someone with experience tell me if this looks right?

 

[Montycat]

That's not right at all unfortunately. The cantilever is way too bent to be usable.

Sometimes it can be straightened but that looks too far gone. Trying to straighten it will likely break it off fully.

 

[tnsilver]

Yes, you bet it's toast. The diamond tip looks as if it's gone and the cantilever is bent so much it looks like a ballerina on the tip of her toes. That's the funniest I've seen yet!

 

[twarrenl]

Yes, you bet it's toast. The diamond tip looks as if it's gone and the cantilever is bent so much it looks like a ballerina on the tip of her toes. That's the funniest I've seen yet!

I knew it!!! I got a killer deal ($200) but I guess this is why... Should I return it or get it fixed?

 

[Montycat]

The stylus might have been damaged before it was sent, or perhaps by you while unpacking and fiddling about. Was it advertised as fully functional?

In any case, an F9 even without a stylus is probably worth at least $100. OEM styli for it are not cheap but certain inexpensive models can be hacked to fit. I modified a basic $20 stylus to fit my F9.

 

[Bucky Badger]

Ya it looks bent and the diamond looks like it's missing. Soundsmith does sell replacement stylus for this cart.
It's a nice cart.
Here is a normal looking stylus

 

[twarrenl]

I don't know. A Grace F9 at the tip of the arm of an unsought after Thorens is too good to be true. Normally you don't swap a car for a flat tire and you don't return a TT over a stylus but considering the replacement price... It won't be too extreme.

Yeah it's strange and the price alone for the cartridge was worthy of a purchase.

The stylus might have been damaged before it was sent, or perhaps by you while unpacking and fiddling about. Was it advertised as fully functional?
In any case, an F9 even without a stylus is probably worth at least $100. OEM styli for it are not cheap but certain inexpensive models can be hacked to fit. I modified a basic $20 stylus to fit my F9.

It looked like that straight out of the box, I was delicate upon unpacking. It was advertised as "turntable in working condition". Maybe that's a loophole for the cartridge. However, the pictures in the listing showed a straight stylus... I'm about to message the seller, we'll see what he(or she) says.

Ya it looks bent and the diamond looks like it's missing. Soundsmith does sell replacement stylus for this cart.
It's a nice cart.
Here is a normal looking stylus
View attachment 1658922

Yeah, that's what I was expecting to see. What a bust!

 

[marcmorin]

Hello!
I'm new to turntables and after some research I bought a preowned Thorens td-115 mkii with a Grace F9 cartridge. It was shipped well packaged in it's original box with the plate removed and stowed properly. I'm surrounded by stores that sell used records so after researching what to look out for I bought a few unscratched, un warped, and seemingly decent shaped records and brought them home. After a quick cleaning I was excited to get going, however, both records seem to be distorting quite a bit. There are periods when things are smooth, but during some passages they distort and overall the quality is massively lacking, the crackles and pops are as loud as the drums. I re-aligned the tone arm counter weight multiple times, and calibrated the cartridge; when I got more in depth on studying cartridge alignment, most the pictures I came across the stylus was more at a 45 degree angle with the record and I'm noticing this stylus is pointing smack at the record and skewed to one side. It's almost like someone was playing records backwards on it... I have a mini magnifying device and upon looking closer, the stylus doesn't look so pretty, and there appears to be a small hole in the top (I am no expert). Can someone with experience tell me if this looks right?

View attachment 1658892
View attachment 1658893
View attachment 1658908

There's a former AK member that lists re=tipping services on ebay. I own one, and have auditioned quite few for him. His work is excellent.
here's his contact info.......
Cartridge_Retipping@outlook.com
no affiliation, just a happy user.

 

[Tucker99]

Definitely get the stylus ripped. The cart is worthy.

 

[twarrenl]

There's a former AK member that lists re=tipping services on ebay. I own one, and have auditioned quite few for him. His work is excellent.
here's his contact info.......
Cartridge_Retipping@outlook.com
no affiliation, just a happy user.

Definitely get the stylus ripped. The cart is worthy.

I’m considering the retipping, however the seller has just agreed to do a return no hassle and sent a return label. I see the retipping service on eBay starts at $150 and I’m not sure this stylus can be fixed, rather needs to be fully replaced. I wasn’t looking to spend more than $300 on my first TT so I may just do the return, unless of course I can get into retipping for a lower rate and if consensus is that’s the best option.

 

[SpruceMoose]

I would retip it. Or at least try one of the substitute styli. And don’t confuse stylus with cartridge. Just because the stylus is broken doesn’t mean the entire cartridge/stylus assembly is shot. Many people say that it’s one of the best MM cartridges ever made. I know mine sounds wonderful. If you read up on the F9 you will get a better appreciation for it’s quality and status in the cartridge world. Here’s mine:

 

[marcmorin]

I’m considering the retipping, however the seller has just agreed to do a return no hassle and sent a return label. I see the retipping service on eBay starts at $150 and I’m not sure this stylus can be fixed, rather needs to be fully replaced. I wasn’t looking to spend more than $300 on my first TT so I may just do the return, unless of course I can get into retipping for a lower rate and if consensus is that’s the best option.

That Grace F9 in proper working order, with a new stylus is worth more than what you've spent. You could have it re-tipped, then sell it for a nice profit. The grace is a very nice cartridge to own.

 

[MRL_Audio]

I’d pay for the retip marcmorin suggested. You got a good deal on the table regardless. Assuming the table works properly correct? It can be repaired quite easily. Do some research. You’ll find the stylus and the cantilever will be replaced to like new or better in some cases. Reshipping can just lead to more damage.

 

[twarrenl]

That Grace F9 in proper working order, with a new stylus is worth more than what you've spent. You could have it re-tipped, then sell it for a nice profit. The grace is a very nice cartridge to own.

I really appreciate your insight. I’ve contacted the gentleman you suggested and were discussing my options. I’m amazed how responsive and helpful this community is! I thought I was going to be stuck to my own ignorance blindly scrubbing the internet for answers for weeks to come.

I’d pay for the retip marcmorin suggested. You got a good deal on the table regardless. Assuming the table works properly correct? It can be repaired quite easily. Do some research. You’ll find the stylus and the cantilever will be replaces to like new or better in some cases. Reshipping can just lead to more damage.

Thanks! Yeah after researching more it appears I’ve definitely still got a good deal on this setup and it is reminding me how I used to snag excellent guitar equipment and regret selling it back in the day.

 

[Grenadeslio]

The f9 is an excellent cartridge, easily worth what you paid without a working stylus, the table is just an added bonus, sending it back would be a head smack moment.

I have two of the earlier f8 model, a Grace cartridge is hard to beat, especially if mounted on a Grace arm.




An OEM stylus would be your best bet but definitely not the cheapest way to go. The above are pics of my two OEM f8 stylus, the literature on these is sparse so not sure of the exact profiles, but they're definitely nude so keep this in mind if retipping.

 

[majick47]

The Grace F9 is well worth having repaired or purchase a new stylus, recommend SoundSmith. If you let that Grace F9 get away later on you will be kicking yourself when you know better. As you said you got a killer deal on the Thorens and you would have to spend some serious money on a new cartridge to equal the Grace F9.

 

[Montycat]

As I alluded to earlier, you can use other styli in that body. You typically have to trim the stylus grip area to make them fit but it can give you options while you decide/wait for the retip.

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/as-if-i-needed-more-cartridges.810357/