ROTEL RP-820 - do I need a new head? just a needle?

[Ori]

Hi.
I am a beginner with turntables, and I have a Rotel RP-820 which I think I need a new head or a new needle?
I don't really know.... there's no needle for sure. The question if i also need a head/cartridge?
thanks

 

[Grenadeslio]

Hi.
I am a beginner with turntables, and I have a Rotel RP-820 which I think I need a new head or a new needle?
I don't really know.... there's no needle for sure. The question if i also need a head/cartridge?
thanks

you only need a new stylus

 

[Grenadeslio]

double post

 

[Ori]

you only need a new stylu

thanks.
Any suggestions for a good one?
cheers

 

[Crab33]

You could simply replace the stylus or you could replace the cartridge. I don't know how good that Rotel 2RC-1 cartridge is but it only has a conical stylus (rather than elliptical).

You'd probably have to buy an aftermarket stylus and the key is to find a good brand.

If you're in America, this one should be reasonable:

https://www.lpgear.com/product/ROTBTC2RC1.html

If you're in Europe, this one should be OK:

https://www.pickupnaalden.com/english/turntable_needles.asp?M=Rotel_2-RC-1__4998

If you feel up to upgrading the cartridge, for that turntable I would opt for a light-tracking, high-compliance cartridge such as the Ortofon OM10.

 

[Ori]

thanks Crab33.
So the Ortofon OM10 cartridge would fit this arm? do you think it is better to buy this cartridge with a specific needle?
cheers

You could simply replace the stylus or you could replace the cartridge. I don't know how good that Rotel 2RC-1 cartridge is but it only has a conical stylus (rather than elliptical).

You'd probably have to buy an aftermarket stylus and the key is to find a good brand.

If you're in America, this one should be reasonable:

https://www.lpgear.com/product/ROTBTC2RC1.html

If you're in Europe, this one should be OK:

https://www.pickupnaalden.com/english/turntable_needles.asp?M=Rotel_2-RC-1__4998

If you feel up to upgrading the cartridge, for that turntable I would opt for a light-tracking, high-compliance cartridge such as the Ortofon OM10.

 

[Crab33]

thanks Crab33.
So the Ortofon OM10 cartridge would fit this arm? do you think it is better to buy this cartridge with a specific needle?
cheers

In principle, you can install any standard half-inch mount cartridge (mounting screws half-an-inch apart) on the tonearm of that turntable. However, because the arm is probably low-mass (light), a cartridge with a high-compliance stylus (with a soft suspension) is advised.

The Ortofon OM10 would be suitable and it already has a stylus - the Stylus 10, which is an elliptical, so an upgrade over the conical/spherical stylus of your Rotel cartridge. In fact, the OM cartridges are very scaleable and you could upgrade the stylus to a 20, 30 or 40 at a later date.