Help replacing stylus in a Zenith Console

[DJdude]

Recently I purchased a Zenith SFH2605 Console Stereo/Record Player. The stereo sounds perfect but when I play a record it sounds muted. I have ordered a replacement needle but don't have any idea of how to replace it. I have looked around online for the possibility of an Owner's Manual but can not find one. I stumbled on to your sight because of someone else's entry about a similar console. This is a great site with a lot of very knowledgeable people....does anyone know where I can possibly find the instructions for replacement or has anyone replaced one themselves?
Thanks for the help as to where to post Jwin TN

 

[orthophonic]

I believe your consoles is a 62 or 63 model and has the early version of the Micro-Touch 2G tonearm. If so, to replace the stylus, remove the top round stylus selector button/knob, there will be a small spring
under it. The spring will either fly off (be careful) or it will still be locked on the the stylus assembly stem stem. If still on the stem, squeeze to release it and then push the stem downward to remove the stylus assembly.

Install new stylus in reverse, push the assembly up into the cartridge, place the spring on the stem and then push the button/selector knob on, while holding the assembly underneath. The knob is keyed so it will only go on the proper way .

 

[DJdude]

I believe your consoles is a 62 or 63 model and has the early version of the Micro-Touch 2G tonearm. If so, to replace the stylus, remove the top round stylus selector button/knob, there will be a small spring
under it. The spring will either fly off (be careful) or it will still be locked on the the stylus assembly stem stem. If still on the stem, squeeze to release it and then push the stem downward to remove the stylus assembly.

Install new stylus in reverse, push the assembly up into the cartridge, place the spring on the stem and then push the button/selector knob on, while holding the assembly underneath. The knob is keyed so it will only go on the proper way .

What great help! Thank you!!! I should have the needle on Monday so I will give it a try. Thank you again~

 

[DJdude]

What great help! Thank you!!! I should have the needle on Monday so I will give it a try. Thank you again~

 

[DJdude]

I believe your consoles is a 62 or 63 model and has the early version of the Micro-Touch 2G tonearm. If so, to replace the stylus, remove the top round stylus selector button/knob, there will be a small spring
under it. The spring will either fly off (be careful) or it will still be locked on the the stylus assembly stem stem. If still on the stem, squeeze to release it and then push the stem downward to remove the stylus assembly.

Install new stylus in reverse, push the assembly up into the cartridge, place the spring on the stem and then push the button/selector knob on, while holding the assembly underneath. The knob is keyed so it will only go on the proper way .

Thanks Orthophonic..husband here helping wife with Zenith #SFH2605...She ordered a 460-D7 replacement needle from Needlefinder.com but this is a two needle rotating stylus. Looks like what some call a Cobra Head. This is more than a single needle replacement job. There is a part in the head that seems to press and hold the two needles firm not really a spring as you mentioned...not to mention the rubber end of the 460 D-7 seems to not be able to attach to the needle holder of the rotating stylus. Do you know if anybody sells the entire headshell with needles or can rebuild ours? We obviously are not techno/audio-philes and I know only enough to be dangerous or when to trek to the oracle and seek knowledge. Hopefully the photos help.

 

[orthophonic]

Oh, you don't have the Micro-touch tonearm, you have the last version of the Cobra tonearm, so disregard what I said before. I don't see your photos, but this should be a Euphonics E-1 cartridge, the stylus should just slide in.
If you want to replace the entire assembly, look for a Euphonics E-1 cartridge, the later Euphonics U-10 or U-11 cartridges might fit also, not sure.

 

[DJdude]

Oh, you don't have the Micro-touch tonearm, you have the last version of the Cobra tonearm, so disregard what I said before. I don't see your photos, but this should be a Euphonics E-1 cartridge, the stylus should just slide in.
If you want to replace the entire assembly, look for a Euphonics E-1 cartridge, the later Euphonics U-10 or U-11 cartridges might fit also, not sure.

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• DJdude
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• DJdude
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[orthophonic]

I just checked the cross reference on the E-1, it is also available as an Astatic 710 or an Electro-Voice 220. Checking thevoiceofmusic.com, they have the astatic 710 in stock.

 

[DJdude]

Okay thanks hopefully you can see the pics...if these are not the later cobra let us know

 

[orthophonic]

I see the pics now, you have a Euphonics U-1, not E-1, that is the wrong stylus, you would need a 461-D7 for that cartridge. It is hard to see from you pics, but It looks like your cartridge is damaged or
deteriorated (the rubber yoke that the stylus rests in). So the whole cartridge (or head as you called it) might need to be replaced. Again, the Astatic 710 is the proper replacement cartridge (head) and
thevoiceofmusic.com has it in stock.

 

[orthophonic]

I enlarged your pic and the cartridge is bad, this why it sounded muted or muffled.

 

[DJdude]

Bravo Gentlemen!! This beauty sounds amazing!! Thank you for sharing all your knowledge and helping keep this out of a landfill!

 

[DJdude]

View attachment 812061 View attachment 812062 Bravo Gentlemen!! This beauty sounds amazing!! Thank you for sharing all your knowledge and helping keep this out of a landfill!

I see the pics now, you have a Euphonics U-1, not E-1, that is the wrong stylus, you would need a 461-D7 for that cartridge. It is hard to see from you pics, but It looks like your cartridge is damaged or
deteriorated (the rubber yoke that the stylus rests in). So the whole cartridge (or head as you called it) might need to be replaced. Again, the Astatic 710 is the proper replacement cartridge (head) and
thevoiceofmusic.com has it in stock.

Need help again....we have been enjoying this stereo like crazy but yesterday it just flat out stopped working. It seems to have completely lost power but it is still plugged in. Is there a fuse or tube that has possibly went out that we can replace?