Oh no, there's metal in your records!

My guess is the OP is referring to the existence of non-virgin vinyl(?)

In the early 1970s some records were composed of this re-processed vinyl which sadly included fragments from the tungsten steel grinder blades of the machines used to chew it up. The concern here (for me at least) is not whether these fragments are slightly magnetised but what happens when those fragments collide with the stylus! The other concern is that if loosened/dislodged (and if truly magnetic in nature) that fragment will fly straight into the generator and stay there :O

...and there's not much a Furutech can do about that ;^)

Not good. :(

The plot thickens…

According to one of the World’s top cartridge makers/builders/re-builders, acquired magnetic particulates inside the cartridge generator are not an occasional occurrence (as I would have thought and implied earlier) but a surprisingly COMMON occurrence…

Without wishing to replace one question with another we must look towards accessories or machinery which produce/”exhale” magnetic particulates such that the cartridge generator is in a position to “Hoover them up”. My opinion is that this could only happen easily if the source were proximal i.e. if the particulates were attached to or lying upon the vinyl surface whilst the cartridge passed over them.

I can’t see many turntable enthusiasts playing their vinyl with the lid off while someone uses a hammer drill on the wall above ;^)

Nor do I see anyone playing music whilst the vacuum cleaner flashes past the turntable, blasting hot air at it. ;^)

Turntable motors are generally shielded and highly magnetic inside, making it harder for magnetic particulates to escape (and then they would have to cover real distance to the cartridge).

Even accepting that the material might be conveniently located it isn’t THAT easy for the cart to absorb them because it is well encapsulated and there are barriers. The pull of the magnet IS powerful but there are obstacles.

Since the appearance of magnetic “crud” inside a cartridge is a confirmed FACT, where is this acquired material coming from?

The cartridge certainly isn’t spontaneously synthesizing it out of thin air otherwise cartridge builders would be seriously worried.

Answers/theories on a postcard please. ;^)

Dear Jonathan,

Many thanks for rescuing me! :)

(Lyra were not the suppliers of my original information BTW but it was very kind of Jonathan to elaborate on this problem. Top man!)

Having given the earlier question (ie the source) some thought I realised the following (and thankfully nobody has mentioned it yet).

I said that no one would operate a vacuum cleaner near their turntable whilst music was being played but soon realised that the cartridge doesn’t need to be in use in order for the particulates to be absorbed by it, although uncovering the T/T is undoubtedly UNhelpful(!)

When I initially discussed this via email with a “World Renowned Cartridge Builder/Rebuilder”, one of their theories for the source of the problem was :

“Vacuum cleaner motor + super-strong magnet = cartridge full of metal filings” (a direct quote from their e-mail)

In retrospect that theory looks more probable by the minute. It’s difficult to say what percentage of the contaminants might be attributable to “non-virgin vinyl” but I would guess that it is extremely small e.g. an occasional chip for every 50x 1970s LPs.

So, in a way, “the truth is still out there” regarding “non-virgin vinyl”.

“Onwards & upwards….!” :)