How to tell if needle needs replacement?

[jay]

Hi guys,

Last year I won a 1976-era Marantz 6200 TT off of the 'Bay. It looks and sounds fine and appears to have the original cartridge and needle.

Two weeks ago I scored a B&O 3404 from the old lady original owner and it puts the Marantz in second place easily. Now I'm wondering if the Marantz needs a new needle/cartridge and if so, how do I tell? Is there are objective test?

Thanks, Jay:dunno:

[bully]

Yes. Look at it. Not to be glib, but look at it with a magnifying glass or jewelers loup.
Fairly easy to replace the stylus (needle), a bit more trouble to change the cartridge. But worth it. Yes, it is most likely time to change the stylus and/or the whole thing.
The B&O is most likely the superior table, too, so there is that.

pete

[WildWest]

Yup, what Bully said. I found that my micro scope gets right on those stylus tips. But you know Jay. If I were you I would upgrade that old cartridge stylus and all. Cartridges do wear out. Not as short of life by any mears as the stylus but they do wear out and if yours is a 1976 vintage I would venture to say that it probably is shot. You want to make that Marantz table sing? Tell you what. Check the home page of http://needledoctor.com/ and look at the Audio Technica 440ML for 99 bucks. You will LOVE what it does for your table. But don't spend much more than that for a cartridge on that Marantz. Really not worth it for the table and arm can't support it.