What is this cartridge and stylus?

[Chris8806]

Hi,

I'm new here and new to turntables and records and I just got a used Technics SL 5300 but I don't know what the cartridge or styulus is and because of that I don't know what to set the tracking force to. I guess I will need to purchase another cartridge and so forth but I want to play some records now if possible. Is there a way to find the correct tracking force by other methods other than from the manufacturer? If I have it at 1.7 when it should be at something else what are the potential damages? Any help is appreciated.

Also I apologize if I posted in the wrong thread.

Chris

 

[Chris8806]

Also I should note that I spoke to someone at NeedleFinder.net and they could not identify it which is a shame (although he was a great help!). I guess I just want to see if there is anything I could do until I can get a new cartridge and styulus.

 

[vwestlife]

It's an Audio-Technica. I forget the model number but it's very similar to the AT3600. It might even take the same stylus (ATN3600). The tracking force can be anywhere from 1.5 to 3.5 grams depending on what kind of stylus is on it. Try 2.5 grams (right in the middle of that range) to begin with.

 

[thomo57]

"If l have it at 1.7 when it should be something else"

You should be ok to go at 1.7 grams.
Around the 1.5 to 2.5 gram mark is probably what it's supposed to be.
I run a lot of mine around 1.5 to 2

 

[lini]

Chris: The body definitely is an AT3600 family body. Questions is whether the installed needle variation with extra visor guard is a 3rd party replacement or some original AT needle variant for an OEM client, and whether we can safely conclude from the colour of the plastic holder, that it's supposed to be compatible to the ATN3600L, or rather not - 'cause if so, the suggested traking force would rather be ~ 3 g than ~ 2 g.

Hence vwl's suggestion to start with 2.5 g wouldn't seem a dumb idea. But of course it would be wise to visually check, whether that value makes sense with this particular needle. I.e., if the turntable models allows, lower the arm near the edge of a record, with the platter not turning, and then have a close look at the cantilever and the needle tip: cantilever angle should be close to 20°, and the shank of the tip should rather stand upright ("____|____") or lean a tiny bit forward ("____\____") than a tiny bit backwards ("____/____"). And of course too little clearance between the needle/cart bottom and the record surface could also indicate that 2.5 g already are too much. But of course all that would only apply, if the cart is properly oriented and not unfavourably angled due to a mismatch of cartridge and tonearm height.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini