caper26

caper26

Full Audioholic
Hey guys. The last time I used my turntable, I noticed that the needle wouldnt stay seated on the record...it would "slide" or slip across the record pretty much of you breathed on it. When I was a kid, I don't remember them being THAT sensitive. Do I need a new needle? It's a Kenwood btw.
 
H

highfigh

Seriously, I have no life.
Hey guys. The last time I used my turntable, I noticed that the needle wouldnt stay seated on the record...it would "slide" or slip across the record pretty much of you breathed on it. When I was a kid, I don't remember them being THAT sensitive. Do I need a new needle? It's a Kenwood btw.
If it slides across the record, it A) has a big wad of dust. B) the tracking weight and anti-skate need to be adjusted correctly or C) the diamond is gone.

If you need a new stylus, look in AH for other phono threads- there's a few well-known suppliers, but I can't think of who they are.
 
caper26

caper26

Full Audioholic
I can take a look tomorrow. I don't know much about the parts of record players, but I bought one because I was interested in the sound and have collected a few older records over the years at yard sales, etc...lots of KISS, 80's hair bands, classic rock, etc... Will post pics, thanks!
 
skizzerflake

skizzerflake

Audioholic Field Marshall
Most cartridges will fit although you might need some tiny little shims and screws to get it aligned correctly. You can find a wealth of choices and info at the Needle Doctor - http://www.needledoctor.com/
 
M

MKnox

Audiophyte
Most probably you will end up getting a new needle, got the same problem some years ago... had to get a new one.
 
H

highfigh

Seriously, I have no life.
Replacing just the stylus has never been particularly economical when compared with the price of a whole cartridge, so don't be too emotionally attached to the old one. If you want a good, reasonable, durable cartridge, look at the Audio Technica line- fair prices, good sound and they'll work with your turntable's tone arm. I would pass on the P-mount models- just get the kind that has two screw holes in the top of the mount, like the AT-155LC (which is a really good cartridge).
 
caper26

caper26

Full Audioholic
Thanks for the info, believe it or not I am just getting around to this again.
[THIS] is the one I have. Here is the [MANUAL]. It doesn't have the balance knob or any skating control from what I can see. Any help out there?? :confused:
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Audioholic Jedi
Thanks for the info, believe it or not I am just getting around to this again.
[THIS] is the one I have. Here is the [MANUAL]. It doesn't have the balance knob or any skating control from what I can see. Any help out there?? :confused:
That's too bad. Unfortunately I remember those. You can't adjust the weight. It was designed as a unit. All cartridges have a different mass, and so you have to use the cartridge that came with it. I very much doubt a replacement stylus for that unit is available. In any event the cartridges from Kenwood were absolutely horrid and sounded awful as well as causing disc damage.

I know this may be hard for you to swallow, but my best advice is to dispose of that turntable and purchase another with the advice of some of us who have been around since the LP appeared.

Since you are a turntable neophyte, it really is important for you to seek help along the way. We could have prevented this purchase.

Getting into vinyl is a lot more complicated than getting into digital media. When all is said and done, a turntable is a simple device, but does require the learning of a fundamental knowledge base.
 
caper26

caper26

Full Audioholic
thanks for the advice. If it IS possible to get a replacement cartridge, is it worth salvaging? I bought this 10 years or so ago, and knew nothing about home audio at that time. Otherwise where do I start looking for a new turntable. I am only looking to play vinyl rare to occasionally .
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Audioholic Jedi
thanks for the advice. If it IS possible to get a replacement cartridge, is it worth salvaging? I bought this 10 years or so ago, and knew nothing about home audio at that time. Otherwise where do I start looking for a new turntable. I am only looking to play vinyl rare to occasionally .
That turntable takes a Kenwood N74 or N 76.

Needle Doctor do not have it, but I found one here.

They also sell an improved one. Since this cartridge needs all the help it can get improved is a good idea.

Now be aware this may not solve your problem. This was far from the best arm and it is certainly possible there are problems with the arm.

However $30 is not a big gamble.

Since you are new to this, I will tell you, that you need a high gain RIAA compensated input on your receiver to plug the turntable into. It will be labelled phono. If you don't have one on your rig, you will need to purchase a phono pre amp to go between your turntable and receiver.
 
caper26

caper26

Full Audioholic
I have a pre-amp that takes a 9V battery for now with IN/OUT RCA jacks.

14 bucks to ship that improved needle so almost $44 for a gamble....

Maybe I will check ebay for a replacement, some cheaper ones there.

Thanks again.
 
Last edited:
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Audioholic Jedi
I have a pre-amp that takes a 9V battery for now with IN/OUT RCA jacks.

14 bucks to ship that improved needle so almost $44 for a gamble....

Maybe I will check ebay for a replacement, some cheaper ones there.

Thanks again.
I looked at eBay too, but I'm far from certain a lot of those sites are reliable and suspect there equivalent data is not correct.

remove your stylus and make sure the one you buy at least looks like yours. If it does not forget it.
 
caper26

caper26

Full Audioholic
will do, first several posts were about the full stereo system itself. I have a solid base in that area, so I will get to the rest in the morn. Ciao.
 

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