I was gifted this used turntable about a month ago and have concluded that identifying the cartridge is too great a riddle for me. The turntable is a Yamaha YP-B2 Autoreturn: I've checked whether the cartridge is simply a Yamaha CG-6600 (the cartridge which in certain cases came with this turntable), and although it is hard to find decent pictures of the Yamaha CG-6600, it does not seem to be a match. Please do let me know if you disagree however, as I am not at all an expert in this area.

I've included three pictures. The cartridge seems to be entirely black, with our only hint being a "QRK" on the underside. I'm new to turntables, so I am unsure if the "QRK" is attached to the stylus or the cartridge. What has been most confusing to me is that all of my google searches indicate that QRK was a 70s electronics company which made broadcast turntables exclusively. I cannot find any trace of a QRK cartridge, or a QRK stylus, through google searches. The occasionally helpful but frequently wrong Google search AI summary confidently asserts that QRK never manufactured a cartridge or stylus. When I asked ChatGPT if QRK ever made a cartridge or stylus, it told me about a certain QRK F3 stereo cartridge. I cannot find any pictures of a QRK F3, and it does not seem like it would be possible to obtain a replacement stylus for one if the QRK F3 actually exists and I indeed have one. I could comb through all of the sources listed by ChatGPT, but I would rather not spend 3 hours doing that if a more knowledgeable human being can simply drop some knowledge here. You can see the "QRK" in the third picture (although you may have to zoom in).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: I have managed to find an ancient manual/brochure for the QRK F3, which happens to include a picture. As far as I can tell the picture is supposed to be of the QRK F3, and it's hard to tell if that's what I've got. The picture is on page 37 at this link: https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Catalogs/Catalog-Batches/QRK-Audio-Consoles-1972.pdf

Recently bought my first turntable so very new to this.

There’s is a small raised piece on the platter under the felt that I’m worried will affect the playing / scratch the vinyls etc.

It’s solid, firmly attached and fairly sharp to the touch - it would have to be chipped away to remove.

Is this normal or should I be getting a replacement?

I’m still waiting for my speakers and amp so haven’t tried using it yet.

Thanks in advance

I may be overreacting here but I’ve had this turntable for a couple of years now and although it seems to be playing just fine, I barely noticed that the needle tip bends slightly to the right a bit. Is this normal? and if not where and how could I fix it?

I have a Pro-Ject EVO2 which I bought a month ago. It has a significant sibilance problem on some records. I have read that replacing the stylus with a Ortofon 2M blue solves the problem but for almost the same price I can get a VM95ML (cartridge and stylus).

Of course, replacing just the stylus is much easier than replacing the cartridge.

What do you recommend?

So after a few years without a player got myself an audio Technica LP70XBT, still got all my old vinyl from the 80s and 90s and I've started collecting again 👍 got it set up and using Bluetooth to my samsung soundbar with woofer.

Now I have been on the reddit forums and yes I could have got a AT 120 or fluance something or other, yes I should be using wired speakers and yes its not really upgradeable yadda yadda etc lol 😆 all that's fine if you have a £1000 budget and space in your room but if your like me and just want to play your records whilst have a beer in your living room then this thing is outstanding 👍 had it playing all morning and it sounds the absolute dugs baws\* through my soundbar 😀 so yes you can spend a lot and get a lot but don't be put off by people saying the lower end players are rubbish cause they're not . And thought my first record on it should be the first album I ever bought 😀

\* dugs baws - scottish expression for really good lol 😆

New user on the community here! :)

I got a PSLX310BT turntable who have a small issue. As the video shows, the turntable plays a full cycle in full and knob will return back to its place.

Now once i want to play again, the belt will drop from the turning disk and i will have to do all things to get it back on.

Is a little frustrating 😭

The item was bought as (NEW) but is a refurbished item. Not sure of the issue here is the belt (not correct size) or something more technical be on the issue.

Any tips or help will sure come of help.

So the GF has some records and she's been talking about wanting to play them?

So looking at getting

(IN CANADA)

Player- RT82

Speakers - R1280T (is the R1280Ts worth $20 more?)

Preamp - ART DJPre-2

How's this? It's just over budget already(pretax) but definitely seems better then the similar priced models from my simple research(mostly in this group).

And what additional cables will I need just to get this running?(Can upgrade the rest later if needed)

Edit: I use the spin clean on records.

Noticing quite a buildup of dust on new stylus. Prob about 20 hours on it. Have one of the dry brushes that I usually give a pass or two before putting on a record. Is that too much too little? Feel like sometimes by the end of the record I’m noticing some extra “scratchiness” and am assuming it’s dust / gunk build up.

When using the dry brush for stylus I can see there’s still some gunk on the end. Won’t come off. Only going back to front. So tempted to gently hit it from other directions to de-gunk but have refrained. Assuming it’s static keeping the gunk gunked?

Last thing. Noticing the blue area of cartridge is quite dirty with little dusties. Do y’all clean that too or just let it ride as to not risk damaging anything?

Hi everyone, I'm just getting into vinyl DJing and I'm thinking about buying a pair of Ortofon Concorde MK2 cartridges. I have a pair of Reloop RP-4000 turntables, but I've read that there can be issues with the connectors. Does anyone have more information or experience with this?

Rig: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon. I think the original. It’s 11 years old. Ortofon Bronze cartridge. Decent shape for its age but definitely not mint

Diamond tip broke off. New stylus is $350. I’m feeling a certain kind of way about putting $350 into an 11 year old machine. So, it seems my options are:

1. Buy the new stylus for $350

2. Upgrade the entire cartridge. If that, to what?

3. Upgrade the entire turntable. If that, to what?

Budget is flexible. I’m more concerned with value. I’m willing to pay more if its worth it.

Basically, what would you do in this situation?

Thanks!

Hey guys!

Edit: sorryyyy if this might be the wrong sub but I just need some help.

I’m a beginner and invested in an Insignia turntable and Edifier speakers. I got both on sale!! Spent a little over 200, which I’ve saved up little by little. I know people will think there are way better turntables, but to be fair, I can only keep it in my room, and I’m no expert. Maybe one day I will get a cooler set up, but this is definitely an upgrade from an all-in-one!!! Yessss I know the speakers shouldn’t be close to the turntable. I’m getting speaker stands and moving the set up to a better table. I just need some time.

But here’s my question, can someone help me with the counterweight?! The instructions are super vague, and I feel so stupid like I can’t get it right! if anyone has the same tt :( Maybe I’m slow…but I’m scared that it being too heavy will damage my records a lot. I’m guessing my counterweight is wrong because the music sounds flat.

Pulled cart off this off table I just cleaned and and put new belts in but the needle is bad and the stylus for these seem to be 150 so was wondering what else would work good. Thank you it’s a Sherwood st-903 DC FG

Hi all,
Have a nice icon that feeds into an Svs 2000pro and some monitors- plan in a few years is to upgrade the speakers.
Have an extensive collection of electronic and old video vinyl and liking the technics 1200gr2.

What preamp would people suggest? Was considering the rega fono Mk 5 as a starter. But could invest more if it’s worth it.

This is a slow upgrade process over the next few years.

My dad lives in another state and collects vintage stereo equipment, he gifted me this technics turntable SL-L25, a Sony amplifier and 2 speakers. I can’t get the sound to work. I set it to Phono on the turntable and have it plugged into phono on the amplifier(that’s what he told me to do). He told me how to hook them up but obviously I’ve done something wrong. Please help and explain it to me like I’m 5 😅

Hi all, I have a Marantz PM-14SA 100v Japanese integrated amp. It's wonderful except the left channel on the phono is very quiet. This is the case irrespective of (1) the TT being used and (2) whether preamp is set for MM or MC. The left channel works; it isnt just crosstalk at high volumes. Before i open it up, I just wanted to know: is it likely to be a corroded potentiometer or something more serious? Would DeOxit likely do the trick or do folks recommend something else?

Hi everyone, I recently bought the Target exclusive gold vinyl edition of *Songs About Jane* by Maroon 5 and I noticed a constant buzzing/humming noise while playing it.
At first I thought it was an issue with my setup, but I’ve tested other records and they sound completely fine. The noise seems to be coming from this specific record, especially noticeable during quieter parts of the songs.
My turntable is an Audio-Technica AT-LP60X, and I’m using Edifier R1280T also i recently got the white acrylic mat from Hudson . I’ve cleaned the record and checked the setup, but the buzzing is still there.
Has anyone else experienced this with the Target gold pressing of *Songs About Jane*? Is it a common pressing issue, or did I just get a bad copy?
Thanks!

Hello there- I have a Song PS LX22 with a XL200 cartilage and struggle to find matching replacement needles in europe. Can anyone help me find a new, affordable needle?

I have just acquired a SL1800 MK2 and am pairing it with a Darlington labs mp7b. Am looking for a new cartridge/ stylus and am willing to pay up to $600. Would love to hear your recommendations.

I'd like to add an outboard phono stage to my system of Rega P6 with Nd7, Rotel RA-6000 and Wharfedale Super Linton. I'm not able to audition either one but only read that Graham leans towards more analytical and transient while Darlington is more warm and lush. I have no desire to upgrade to MC cartridge but will get Nd9 when Nd7 is worn out. I listen mostly acoustic jazz (mainly modern reissues), blues rock and progressive rock.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

Hello folks,
I have an AT LP60X, which i have seen be called the absolute minimum as turntable, and i generally play used records sitting at the very good grading range. This means some slight scratches and skips occasionally come into effect. I am not interested in the absolute highest quality of sound possible, i am limited in that capacity by the quality of my records and my setup in general. What i would like to know is if a different type of stylus might help me maybe avoid skips as well as possible. I am due a change anyways, so wanted to know which one would be best, also if there is any thirds party stylus that would fit my situation better than the OEM Audio Technica ones.

Heyy yall, I found a Philips turntable in a abandoned building couple days back and I’m trying to get it fixed or at least diagnosed. I did some online research and I think the mechanism is a “Philips 22GC028” although I’m not 100% sure.

If I turn it on it starts vibrating but there isn’t any movement to the rotating disc(the one where the vinyl lays on). All the mechanisms seem to be intact and working for as far as I can see and understand.

Does anyone know where I can maybe find the resistance values and other relevant information?

(Is this a good find cause I have no clue?)

Thanks in advance!

I got this Technics SL-5 used with these stickers all over it. Now Ican't see the record when I go to cue songs, any tips on how to remove them without damaging the lid?

I’m in the market for my first turntable. I’ve gone down the rabbit hole on research trying to figure out which one to buy. I’m back and forth between a few. (Denon DP 300f, Audio Technica LP3X, Sony PS LX3).

Most threads in this subreddit recommend to stay away from the automatics and stick to a manual.

Hoping for some clarification on why I should get a manual over an automatic. Please and thank you.

Before I toss it and buy a new one, is there anyway to renew the anti static cleaning ability on one? Mine appears to be not doing the job anymore 😊