So, what music are you listening to now?

[bobabode]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxjq0BKbeSU



Juluka . Scatterlings

[Ike Bana]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmlnx2KmjFE

[piece-itpete]

This is stuck in my head today:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-0TEJMJOhk

Pete

[bobabode]

[Rajoo]

[ebacon]

Streisand - Partners

This is her new album. I am looking forward to listening to it over the next few days.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jasozy6wKsI

[nailer]

Mendelssohn's String Quartets in A Minor and D Major

[barbara]

This might be a bit off topic, but can you guys help me out with some information about turntables?

My son is asking for some needles for Christmas present and knows what kind and the website where we can order them. But.... They offer what he needs at several different prices.

Are more expensive needles better? The last one he got didn't seem to last long .... How long should they last?

The cheap end was $25.00. Does that sound right?

Thanks for your help.

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by barbara

This might be a bit off topic, but can you guys help me out with some information about turntables?

My son is asking for some needles for Christmas present and knows what kind and the website where we can order them. But.... They offer what he needs at several different prices.

Are more expensive needles better? The last one he got didn't seem to last long .... How long should they last?

The cheap end was $25.00. Does that sound right?

Thanks for your help.

Hi, Barbara,

Let's get some terminology out of the way before we go any further. A needle, or stylus is the delicate little diamond tipped "stick" that actually touches the record during play. It's attached to the phonograph cartridge. With most cartridges needles can in most placed be replaced when they wear out or are damaged. The cartridge doesn't wear out, is difficult to damage and rarely fails. Most of my cartridges (I have tons of them) are 30 or 40 years old.

Any needle should last a fairly long time before wearing out if the turntable is set up properly and, perhaps most importantly, the records being played are clean. Damage from misuse, abuse or accident is another matter. phonograph needles are very easily damaged or destroyed by carelessness. Since, as mentioned, cartridges don't wear out and needles can be replaced, the cheap way out is usually to just replace the needle.

Cheap needles are no more susceptible to damage than are expensive ones. The difference between cheap and expensive is connected to their performance in reproducing the music on the record.

If you suspect that your son's bad luck with needles is related to inexperience or carelessness, it might be wise to go cheap. The price of $25.00 you mention is certainly on the cheap end of things but there are cheaper ones and some of those are actually pretty good.

Before continuing, though, it would help me to know what make and model turntable your son now has and what make and model cartridge is on it. If, as is likely, you don't actually know, you can ask your son and then you can tell me. We'll take it from there. I'll subscribe to the thread so I'll be alerted when you respond.

John

[BlueStreak]

Proper set up is also important Barbara. A misaligned cartridge won't sound right. Too much tracking force will increase wear and shorten stylus life. A new one should come with a small pamphlet in the package with recommended settings on it.

$25 is very inexpensive. I have one that cost $800 new and there are some that are far more expensive than that---$15k to $20k. I have no idea why anyone would pay that much. To me, that's just way beyond crazy in terms of diminishing return.

That being said, there is no real need to spend so much. I don't know your sons age, but if he's young, I'd stick with the $25 unit. He can always go more expensive when he's older, if he's still interested.

Dave