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How can I tell if my stylus is damaged ??

hey folks,
I recently started using a TT, so I am new to the ins-n-outs of this specialized equipment. Unfortunately, I first placed my TT in an area where I accidentally kept hitting the headshell and knocking it to the left, where it would skip/slide over the vinyl itself, like skipping rocks on a pond (doh!)

Just wondering if y'all can help me figure out if I damaged the stylus or not (its a Shibata diamond on an Ortolan 2M Black MM).

Since I have started investing in some nice vinyl (Box Sets, Limited Editions, Beatles Mono, etc), the last thing I want to do is damage the expensive vinyl!!
Any suggestions to help me figure this out? Will I have to send it to a dealer to get confirmation one way or the other?
thanks!
gary
128x1281graber2
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
Distortion
1graber2's avatar
1graber2 OP
303 posts
 
Thx guys,
A close look at the cantilever with a magnifier shows that it is straight.
Next, I will test how it sounds with the needle in the inner grooves
Gary
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,470 posts
 
Got to agree, Lindisfarne!
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
You'd better send your cartridge to Soundsmith or other expect to check the stylus properly. I remember my flat mate's Sony XL55 MC cartridge, there was nothing wrong with it and the sound was good compared to other cartriges we have, no distortion at all, pretty much treble (details etc) One year later it was shipped to Soundsmith to fix some internal wiring (channel missing). Peter told him the stylus is worn and need re-tip. After this issue i can tell you it would be hard to make sure by yourself that your stylus is worn or not. Better send it to experts.
1graber2's avatar
1graber2 OP
303 posts
 
I have also listened critically when the cartridge moves to the inner rings of the record, and I did not hear increased distortion, thx for the tip Czarivey.

I think the cartridge is ok, but since this is the cartridge that I will be using for The next several years, the suggestion of sending to a pro such as Soundsmith to make sure the cartridge is okay, is a good idea.

Better to find out if there is a problem with the cartridge now, as opposed to years down the road after spinning hundreds of records (which I may have thus damaged inadvertently )
Thx
Gary
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