Ortofon VMS 5E MkII cartridge -- worn out?

[ssouci]

I just rescued my parent's old Dual 1209 idler wheel turntable

it's fitted with an Ortofon VMS 5E MkII cartridge, with the original stylus

I plugged it into my vintage Fisher X-202 tube integrated amp (rebuilt, and has 2 white labelledRCA 12AX7 tubes in the phono section)

it plays, however compared to my usual CD player source, this is what I notice:

- high end is too exaggerated, and sounds shrill
- lacking in bottom end (bass)
- I need to turn the volume up a bit more for decent volume (vs. my CD player)
- picks up all the crackles & pops (but then again my old records are in generally poor shape, and I don't yet have a record cleaning brush...)

SPECS for Ortofon VMS 5E MkII:
https://www.ortofon.com/vms-cartridges-p-614

Q1: would getting a replacement stylus help, or should I just put in an altogether different cartridge? (I'm not sure of how good this cartridge even is)

Q2: if I get a replacement stylus, would a generic "white plastic" one from eBay etc. be OK, or is there a significantly better one to get?

Q3: can the cartridge body ever "wear out" due to age, and if, so, how can I tell? (this one has got to be from the 1980s)

thank you!

 

[Lavane]

I did some work on an old Dual TT for my son that still has the original
VMS 5E MII installed. With a new stylus it sounds pretty good. I would try a new stylus and check the tracking weight.

 

[majick47]

Not going to be able to get any basis for sound quality using records in poor shape. Get a new or mint condition record, clean stylus, may be covered in gunk, make sure cartridge is aligned correctly and tonearm balanced. If stylus is worn out get one from Thakker or Ofon not aftermarket generic from Ebay.