On 5/14/23 05:01, Tony Miklos via Jukebox-list wrote:
I've seen this done a few times to be able to use a newer cartridge. Is it worth the while and which tone arm did you/they use? The one I saw actually added a second amp feeding remote speakers for true stereo. I'd be staying mono.
This was done primarily to accommodate stereo records without damage. The red-head with the straight stylus had no vertical compliance, meaning that the stylus had no "give" when it came to up-and-down movement.
This was fine for monaural records where the grooves move side-to-side. With stereo records, each channel is cut at a 45-degree angle, meaning that stereo difference information winds up being up-and-down. Playing stereo records with a red-head will quickly wear out the records.
Availability and quality of suitable replacement styli has varied over the years. The recent L-shaped styli for the red-head when purchased from a reputable source are quite good and won't damage stereo records.
The T-style stereo cartridge/stylus used in the early stereo Seeburgs also has had its history of bad aftermarket styli, although these have improved as well.
The "best" swap is for one of the late stereo tonearm/stylus combinations with the snap-in cartridge. These are pretty much the same design as the coveted 345-03D replacement cartridges. There are some tweaks necessary in terms of trip switch and counterweight fitment with these tonearms, especially with some mech covers.
If you have a good red-head cartridge, I'd try a pair of the newer L-shaped styli and if you get good performance I'd leave it alone.