Cartridges
Using Cartridge Shims to Set VTA on a Fixed Headshell
Cartridge shims let you set vertical tracking angle on a fixed-height arm or headshell that has no VTA collar. A…
Category: Cartridges
Turntable cartridges and styli: MM vs MC, stylus profiles, alignment, and replacement — setup-tech deep dives.
Cartridges
Replacement Stylus vs Genuine: Are Aftermarket Styli Safe?
Good aftermarket styli are safe; cheap ones are a gamble. A well-made replacement with a correct cantilever and a real…
Cartridges
Upgrading Headshell Leads: Snake Oil or Real Gain?
Upgrading headshell leads is worth it in exactly one situation: when your existing leads are old, oxidized, or loose, and…
Cartridges
Can a Worn Stylus Damage Your Records? The Honest Take
Yes, a worn stylus can damage your records — but not as fast or as dramatically as the internet claims.…
Cartridges
Headshell Weight and Tonearm Resonance: Getting the Match Right
Headshell weight matters because it sets the tonearm-cartridge resonant frequency, which needs to land between 8 and 12 Hz. That…
Cartridges
Breaking In a New Cartridge: What Changes and What’s Myth
Something real does happen when you break in a new cartridge, but it is not the mystical “burn-in” audiophile forums…
Cartridges
Universal vs Fixed Headshells: Which Tonearm Mount You Have
Turntable arms split into two camps: universal, where the headshell detaches with a quarter-turn bayonet collar so you can swap…
Cartridges
How Long Does a Phono Stylus Last? Real-World Hours
A phono stylus lasts roughly 500 to 1,500 hours depending almost entirely on its tip profile. A bonded conical is…
Cartridges
Aluminum vs Carbon vs Wood Headshells: Does Material Matter?
Headshell material matters for exactly two measurable reasons — mass and vibration damping — and for a long list of…
Cartridges
Cartridge Retip vs New Cartridge: When Each Makes Sense
Retip when the cartridge body is worth more than the retip; buy new when it is not. That is the…