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MA 2002e Stylus replacement

J

JMoney

New Member
Well...it finally happened. My three year old twin boys got to my turntable and ripped the stylus off the cartridge. Totally trashed the needle. Do they make a replacement stylus or do I need to get a whole new cartridge? Any recommendations either way?

Thanks,
Jeremy
 
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Sadly, Micro-Acoustics has been gone for so many years that replacement styli are almost unobtainable. When NOS styli do turn up, they tend to command very high prices on that auction site. Your best bet is probably to replace the entire cartridge.
 
whole new cartridge because the cost of a nice stylus for these (from the bay) is more than a nice cartridge.
Maybe a Shure M97xE bout half a c-note all day long, or an AT 440MLa still one available for a c-note on amazon.

But tell us what you are using. The above will work with a table that uses a 2002e well and are reasonable and folks like em.

Your price range may be different.
 
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From what I've read there isn't a new stylus being made, and NOS ones are quite pricey. The other option is a re-tip from a place like Soundsmith. I asked about a re-tip in a thread recently and didn't get many opinions. I'd be curious of others opinions of the various Soundsmith options for this cart.
Good luck!
 
The cost of a retip would mean someone really likes the cartridge being retipped. May be a little more than this cartridge is worth, but it is an interesting cartridge with a very fast sound.
 
I am right now sourcing rebuilds for a spare ma2002e, and will post to this thread what I find out.

Once we know the costs of rebuilding the stylus then you will be better equipped to make a decision.

depending on the numbers you may or may not want to re-tip your ma2002e, but if you don't I can swap you a Stanton 680 with new unused stylus (just an example as I have other cart-syli combos we could discuss) for your old ma if you don't want to invest the $$....

Anyhow, my data will roll in in the next 24-48 hours and I will post so you know what you are up against.

Cheers
 
I have a Denon Dp-1200 table that I bought used. Everything on it, including the cartridge, were original. I am running it through a Carver C-2 preamp and an old Magnavox stereo amp that was taken out of a console and modded to be a stand alone amp. I enjoy listening to jazz LPs...
 
Tucker99 said:
I am right now sourcing rebuilds for a spare ma2002e, and will post to this thread what I find out.

Once we know the costs of rebuilding the stylus then you will be better equipped to make a decision.

Anyhow, my data will roll in in the next 24-48 hours and I will post so you know what you are up against.

Cheers
Click to expand...

I await your data.:thmbsp: Comparing a $150 replacement cantilever replacement(or pricier re-tip options) vs the usual new carts in the $100-$150 range is something I'm quite curious about. I sent an email to Soundsmith about my MA2002e and haven't heard back yet.
 
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I used to have mine retipped by Diafix in the late '70s with Shibata tips for $28. Quit using them when my guy moved back to India. They were good carts.
 
I sent an MA 2002e cart to expert stylus in the UK for a stylus rebuild, but sadly they told me that the cart suspension was damaged. The price would have been about equla to $125 in UK pounds. Email and phone communication was a bit slow and delayed due to the time difference. They did retip an Ortofon OM 10 to OM 30 grade stylus for about the same money as the MA would have been.
 
Well ya never know... I got a NOS MA 3002 II still sealed in the box for like a Franklin on epay about a year or so ago.

Cheers,

Bob
 
Tucker99 said:
I am right now sourcing rebuilds for a spare ma2002e, and will post to this thread what I find out.

Once we know the costs of rebuilding the stylus then you will be better equipped to make a decision.

depending on the numbers you may or may not want to re-tip your ma2002e, but if you don't I can swap you a Stanton 680 with new unused stylus (just an example as I have other cart-syli combos we could discuss) for your old ma if you don't want to invest the $$....

Anyhow, my data will roll in in the next 24-48 hours and I will post so you know what you are up against.

Cheers
Click to expand...

:lurk: My 2002e has a collapsed suspension.
 
The survival record for these carts generally is not encouraging for any further investment. Shed a tear and move on while you can cut your losses.
 
Any stylus is always mortal by nature, these cart carcasses specifically seem to have an unusually high mortality compared to other vintage carts. Based on that I wouldn't bother with them and I have one left in my junk box.
 
Pio1980 said:
Any stylus is always mortal by nature, these cart carcasses specifically seem to have an unusually high mortality compared to other vintage carts. Based on that I wouldn't bother with them and I have one left in my junk box.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info.
I guess I should just get the stylus looked at and use it until it dies. Or ebay it. Or put it back in the parts toolbox. It was basically free, so I won't be shedding any tears over it, that's for sure.
 
If you like the cartridge (and many do!) then it's certainly worth retipping, some here have gone that route and are very happy with the results. I've had and used a 3002 for many years without problems except for the stylus wearing out and when it does this time I'll get it retipped. Having a beryllium cantilever I can't see having that replaced, just the diamond.

Dave
 
ChairSpud said:
If you like the cartridge (and many do!) then it's certainly worth retipping, some here have gone that route and are very happy with the results. I've had and used a 3002 for many years without problems except for the stylus wearing out and when it does this time I'll get it retipped. Having a beryllium cantilever I can't see having that replaced, just the diamond.

Dave
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The things is, it came on a used table and I haven't really listened to it much. It was a poor match for the table it was on. So I can't really say that I like it much, or not.
As for the re-tip, Soundsmith(as an example) prices a re-tip, that keeps the original cantilever, at about $350-$450. I don't see myself ever gambling on this cart that much. But I am curious about the $150 or so options, and how they would stack up against carts in that price-range. If it is a cart with longevity issues, then that throws another wrinkle into it.

I know I'm digging up somebody's thread, but they haven't been around since it was started, and I'm still curious about what Tucker99 came up with.
 
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