People commonly mistake the parts on a turntable, calling them by the wrong name. As they learn more about their turntable, they understand the role of each part and know when and how to replace those parts for ultimate performance.
Friends often tell me they are having problems with their turntable’s cartridge when they really mean a stylus.
What is the difference between the cartridge and the stylus?
The turntable’s stylus is actually part of the cartridge. The cartridge is the housing part screwed to the headshell while the stylus is the tiny “needle” at the end of the cartridge’s cantilever that actually makes contact with the record.
If you look at the photo at the beginning of this article, you can see the cartridge is the gold box labeled Philips 422. If you look closely, you can see the cantilever protruding down from the cartridge.
At the end of that cantilever is the stylus which will make contact with the record, moving back and forth and up down in the grooves. This modulation moves up the cantilever into the cartridge where it is converted into an electrical signal.
In the video below, you can see how the stylus is being replaced on an Audio Technica turntable. I think this helps show beginners that the stylus can be easily removed from the cartridge and replaced with the same model.
Note he is simply removing the green plastic piece that holds the cantilever and the stylus while the cartridge remains mounted to the headshell:
This next video will show you how an entire cartridge is replaced by removing the old one and installing a new cartridge to the headshell:
Do I need to replace the cartridge or the stylus?
This is another popular question I receive from friends who are new to vinyl. When the sound on their turntable is poor, they are often confused as to if they need to replace the entire cartridge, or just the stylus.
If the audio sounds poor on your turntable, you do not need to replace the entire cartridge, only the stylus. The stylus tip will wear down over time, causing poor sound performance. Simply buy a new stylus for the cartridge on your turntable and follow the instructions on how to install. It’s often as simple as pulling the old stylus off the cartridge and carefully pushing the new stylus in its place.
When should I replace my turntable cartridge?
Most cartridges on turntables do not need to be replaced, only their stylus. The cartridge rarely “breaks”. Instead the stylus wears down or is bent and needs to be replaced. I advise people to only replace the cartridge when they want to upgrade to a higher quality sound on their turntable.
Phono cartridges are made in all shapes and sizes and will sound different on your turntable. I enjoy buying different cartridges and installing them on my turntable to listen how the playback changes.
Some cartridges provide better bass, some provide more clarity. More expensive cartridges will provide a more life like sound stage, making you feel as if you are in the room where the music was recorded.
Cartridges vary in price and can cost more than $10,000. My budget allows for moving magnet cartridges in the under $500 range but I hope to experiment with more expensive models as my budget allows.
Everything you need to know about the stylus on your turntable…
If you are interested in learning more about the stylus, including the different shapes, how long they last and when you need to replace, please refer to my article Everything To Know About The Stylus On Your Turntable for more information!
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