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Cartridge Longevity?

In mid '98 I purchased a Sumiko Blue Point cartridge to use with a Premiere FT-3 tonearm / VPI HW-19 Mk. III. I loved the sound right out of the box (lots of detail, crisp treble, tracked inner grooves with so little distortion they sounded like outer grooves). After about forty to fifty hours of play over a year and a half, the treble mellowed (I liked it bright, though), and inner grooves no longer sounded good. Even on mint records, the inner grooves sounded somewhat worn. It was so bad that once I got just beyond the halfway mark on any record side, I couldn't wait for it to finish so I could switch to something else (no damage to the records, though).

I called Sumiko and spoke to the technician, Jim Alexander (who generously gave of his time). He suggested using a demagnetizer. I tried the Benz, and heard no difference. Mr. Alexander had me send the cartridge back so it could be examined. He said he could find nothing wrong with it, but graciously sent me a replacement in Jan. 2000. He ruled out any tonearm problems, but suggested lowering VTA so that the tonearm was parallel to the record. He also suggested I not use the Discwasher stylus brush because it is too abrasive.

As with the old cartridge, I tracked the new one at the recommended 1.7 grams, proper alignment using a protractor, proper azimuth, always used the cueing device, lowered VTA, switched to "LP-9" stylus fluid with its soft brush, and still the same problem: inner grooves sound mistracked and worn. The records I play are scrupulously clean. I hand wash (initially) using isopropyl rubbing alcohol, and sometimes Mr. Clean for heavily soiled records. Before each play, I use a Discwasher record brush to remove light surface dust, and a Zerostat anti-static gun. The results are excellent, they sound clean (I tried the VPI record cleaner a few years back and was unimpressed with it).

Jim Alexander suggested that I didn't allow enough break in time and use time was too low (about fifty hours under two years). He suggested breaking it in for another fifty hours, but within one week's time. I did this and the cartridge did not improve, but it did not get worse either. He finally suggested I have the tonearm checked (locally as I don't have the original packing material to safely send it through the mail. I never had it as it was purchased used).

I've been very careful but a cartridge should last more than fifty hours. Mr. Alexander claims you should get at leat 1000 hours of quality play from a Blue Point, and possibly up to 3000 hours. What am I doing wrong? Not enough break in time? Not enough usage during the life of the cartridge? Or do you need to spend four figures to get longevity? This is very frustrating and any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
jsangelo
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
I will str0ngly suggest you not to demagnetize cartridges. The first thing you will do is demagnetize a magnet which plays important role in cartridge performance.
Clean records only with professional fluid avoiding any rubbing alcohol, isoprophyl or Mr Clean. Using other liquids will just make things worse.
If you will clean with pro fluid once per month you will not have any static problem and won't even need a zerostat as well.
I consider cartridge demagnetizer and zerostat as a rip-off components.
In the price range of Sumiko BP an adequate Shure carts have unbeatable performance.
I have my analogue collection and numbers of turntables since I'm 5 starting from childrens tales and songs.
sc53
718 posts
 
Cartridges last a lot longer than 50 hrs, and from Mr. Alexander's examination of your original BP, it was not worn out. I believe that what you're hearing is not a product of your cartridge, but of other parts of your turntable system, including the isolation and vibration control you are providing for the whole set-up. Checking out your tonearm is a good idea, also the suspension of your TT, and isolation of the motor.
mrvordo's avatar
mrvordo
151 posts
 
You don't say whether you had the arm checked or not. If it's just inner grooves that bother you, as you indicate, then alignment and/or the arm could very well be the problem. Check the over hang to make sure it's correct, as well as azimuth, and VTA.
Also some catridges do not "sit" well. If you only use your cart. 25 hours over a year's time, that's hardly any use at all, but since your "new" cart. gives you the same problem without sitting for a year, I would first suspect something other than the cart., set up or the arm for example.
whatjd
1,139 posts
 
My BluePoint was the same. In the end result..nothing special...over-rated mail order type "stuff". Ever wonder why you don't see the BluePoint in retail stores?

Buy at high-fi shops you can walk into.

It's great the response that analog/turntable related questions get on this site!
paulwp
585 posts
 
Utter nonsense and off topic. I bought my Blue Point from a dealer whose shop I walked into. And it's been fine for 2 years and low hours. Tony Cordesman included the earlier version of it in a survey for TAS and called it a Best Buy. Other writers for TAS have also liked it in its price range. I've seen a complaint or two about tracking ability, but the reviewers said it tracked great and that has been my experience too. Other than the effect of too frequent plays at too low a tracking force I don't know what could be the cause of Jsangelo's problem, but it isnt anything inherent in the design of the cartridge.
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