Clean with compressed air spray the now empty spot the new needle is slated to occupy. Insert the new needle with the point facing down, where the record will eventually be. When you are finished, carefully move the tonearm back to its usual place and plug in your record player.
Full Answer
How do I change the needle on my record player?
Insert the new needle with the point facing down, where the record will eventually be. When you are finished, carefully move the tonearm back to its usual place and plug in your record player.
Can you use a worn needle on a 78 Victrola?
Of course, if your 78s are already in bad condition, then using a worn needle is not going to matter much. Although a steel needle should be used only one time, some Victrola owners dislike tossing a needle after a single play, believing that to be wasteful.
How do you connect a Victrola journey record player to a receiver?
You connect the Victrola Journey suitcase record player to a receiver or amplifier by using the RCA output connectors and a signal cable. The Victrola has a built-in preamp and must be connected to a LINE-LEVEL input such as CD, TUNER, AUX, DVD, etc.
What kind of record can I play on a Victrola?
Let me stress that you need the right kind of record on the phonograph. You need an "acoustic" record or "early electric" record (let's say one made before 1930) on a wind-up Victrola. Do not play an Elvis Presley 78 from the 1950s on a machine made before 1925 since such a record has a soft surface made for an electric pick-up.
Can you change the needle on a Victrola record player?
Once you have purchased the correct needle, it is time to rid yourself of the worn one. It follows that before you can put in a new needle, you need to take out the used one. In some models, the old needle will be housed in a removable headshell. This is the easiest kind of needle to replace.
How do I change the needle on my record player?
0:264:27How to Replace a Turntable Needle - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep 4 read the instructions for the new needle if it came with none simply insert it into theMoreStep 4 read the instructions for the new needle if it came with none simply insert it into the cartridge by holding the top of the needle. And very gently easing it in step.
How often do you change a needle on a Victrola?
every 1,000 hoursMost experts recommend replacing it every 1,000 hours of use.
How do you change a Victrola cartridge?
3:078:09How to replace a ceramic cartridge! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn use your thumb to kind of snap it up into position. And you'll feel it kind of grip in the back.MoreIn use your thumb to kind of snap it up into position. And you'll feel it kind of grip in the back. There. And then just pull the tip back up push down in the middle with your finger.
How do I fix my Victrola record player?
First, unplug the machine and remove the turntable. Then, use a soft brush to clean any dust or debris from the motor. Once you've done this, reassemble the machine and try turning it on again. If your Victrola record player still isn't turning on, then it might be time to call a professional.
How do I know if my turntable needle is broken?
How do you know when stylus should be replaced? There are both audible and physical indicators that will let you know that you're stylus should be replaced. On the audible side, your records won't sound as good if your stylus is old or damaged. You'll hear more distortion, crackling, static and overall fuzziness.
What year was my Victrola made?
These dates are not the manufacture date of your phonograph. As a general rule: External Horn Victors were made between 1901 and 1920, although the vast majority of these were produced in the 1902-1913 timeframe. Internal Horn Victrolas were made between 1906 and 1929.
Why is my Victrola record player skipping?
It could mean that the needle is worn down or clogged with collected dust. The vinyl record player's needle may need replacing. Another bad sign is if the needle is skipping or bouncing along with the record.
Why is my Victrola record player so quiet?
Record players are quiet by nature. They produce an extremely low electrical signal that needs to be amplified two times. It first gets amplified by a preamp (either internal or external) which brings it up to the same line level as a CD player. Then it must be amplified again to be audible from your speakers.
What type of needle does a Victrola record player use?
ceraming needlesVictrola 3-pack turntable replacement needles for Victrola VTA-65, VTA-67, VTA-204B, VSC-580BT record players. These high quality ceraming needles will work with all vinyl record sizes (33-1/3, 45, or 78 RPM) and installation is simple and effortless.
How often should you change the needle on a record player?
When does a turntable stylus need to be replaced? Most manufacturers recommend changing your stylus at around 1000 hours of record playing time. So if you're using your turntable for an hour or so per day on average, ideally you should be changing the stylus every couple of years.
Are there different needles for record players?
There are four main stylus shapes, excluding a stylus for 78 RPM records. As the grooves of 78s are about 3-4 times wider than a typical 33 1/3 record and require a stylus designed specifically for these grooves. The tip radius should be at least 20mm.
What happens if you put a stylus on a turntable?
Needle Damage – When the head of a stylus is either bending or has developed jagged edges, any vinyl that gets placed on the turntable is asking for a permanent scratch or even a crack. Black Residue – Gunk on the tip of the needle may just require a cleaning.
Why does my stylus bounce off my vinyl?
This can be caused by one of two issues: the buildup of dust or an expired stylus.
What is proper stylus alignment?
Proper alignment determines the consequential difference between your stylus nestling perfectly between a record’s grooves and withstanding unnecessary wear from combatting the grooves at every turn. The finer your stylus’s tip, the more crucial it becomes to set your cartridge alignment right on the money.
What is a cantilever stylus?
The cantilever is the thin metal rod that extends from the turntable’s cartridge and holds the stylus at its tip. Or should hold it in place, anyway. If the cantilever’s grip on the stylus is loose, it’s time for your stylus to be swapped out.
Why is it important to replace a stylus?
Why Replacing Your Stylus is so Important. When your stylus has surpassed its tip life, you risk far more than your record player producing distorted audio. You also make any record you play vulnerable to permanent damage. A misshapen stylus carves into vinyl, rendering it unplayable.
How to extend the life of a stylus?
Another way to extend your stylus’s lifespan is to address the following aspects of your cartridge: Alignment – When it comes to cartridge alignment , being even slightly off can cause a major problem.
How often should I replace my stylus?
Because it’s so often on the move, every stylus, no matter how durable, has a finite lifespan. Most experts recommend replacing it every 1,000 hours of use. But unless you keep a running diary of the records you play, that can be difficult to gauge.
How to change needle on record player?
The other way to replace a needle is to change the cartridge, which is the mounting device that keeps the stylus in place. However, you shouldn’t need to do this unless the cartridge is damaged.
How to get stylus out of record player?
Unplug your record player. Take the stylus out of the cartridge by bracing the headshell and sliding it out by hand. If you have a higher-end record player and can see wires under the headshell, use a pair of needle-nose pliers to gently pull each of the 4 wires out of the back of the cartridge.
How to check if your stylus is aligned?
To use one, place your grid over the slot on the platform for your records. Then, place the needle in the middle of the grid. If your cartridge is parallel with the lines on the protractor, your stylus is aligned.
How long does it take for a stylus to wear out?
The stylus wears out over time, so replace it after 1,000 hours of use or after 3-5 years, whichever comes first.
How to check if a stylus cartridge matches the headshell?
Once the sides of your cartridge are flush with the headshell, check the front of the cartridge to see if it matches the top of the headshell. Adjust it as needed until the 2 sides and the front of your cartridge match the headshell. You can use an alignment protractor to check the path of your stylus.
How to align a cartridge?
Align your cartridge so that the sides are flush with the headshell. Before you screw your new cartridge into the headshell, adjust the location of the cartridge to align the needle with the tone arm. To do this, place your fingers around the sides of the cartridge while bracing it from the bottom.
How to find the model number of a stylus?
Turn the stylus around in your hand to look for letters or numbers. If you find any, this is the model number. Type the model number into a search engine online followed by the word “stylus.”. Compare your stylus to the model that you find online to make sure that they’re identical.
How to align a cartridge on a turntable?
Attach your cartridge alignment protractor to the spindle in the middle of the turntable. You will notice two different grids on the protractor. A properly aligned cartridge will sit parallel to the grid lines when placed in the center of both grids. If the cartridge is not parallel, rotate it gently until it is. Once you are satisfied, tighten the screws the rest of the way.
How to get a turntable cartridge to come loose?
In the vast majority of cartridges, there are only two, and they are positioned at the very end of the tonearm. Using your flat screwdriver, turn the screws counterclockwise until they come loose. Some turntable cartridges have hard-shell nuts or fasteners which are attached to the end of the screws.
How to re-thread a tonearm?
Holding the cartridge in place, push the screws through the top of the tonearm and into the cartridge. Then, re-thread the nuts by carefully twisting them onto the bottom of each screw. If you have trouble re-threading the nuts, try holding them in place with your thumb while twisting the top of the screw.
What tools are needed to pluck tonearm wires?
Tools Needed. Needle Nose Pliers : While some people can carefully pluck the tonearm wires free from the cartridge, the process becomes a lot simpler if needle nose pliers are used. Flat Screwdriver: Unlike needle nose pliers , a flat screwdriver is absolutely necessary.
How to get a tonearm off a turntable?
Once you have your tool at the ready, grab the cartridge and move it, along with the tonearm, away from the turntable. Now, look at the back of the cartridge.
What are the parts of a record cartridge?
The three main parts include: Stylus: The stylus—or record player needle, often referred to as the “needle” or “stylus needle”—is the crown jewel ...
How to save money on a protractor?
You can save money on the protractor by simply printing out a free version online. Once you have your tools assembled, set aside thirty minutes or so to complete the process. Remember, you do not want to rush through things and wind up damaging a tender component (arguably the most important) of your turntable.
How to tell if Victrola needles have been used?
Anyone buying a Victrola that is supplied with needles should determine if the needles have been used. You can check a needle's tip. If you slowly rotate the needle under a strong light and see a flash at the tip, the needle has been played. Or check the tip with a magnifying glass.
What needles did Victor make?
By inserting a short cylindrical shaft of tungsten into a metal shaft, Victor engineers produced their "Tungs-tone styli." Victor literature used "stylus" or "styli"--not "needle"--when referring to the product. Victor could manufacture 25,000 such needles daily--soft tone, full tone, and extra loud.
How many records can a tungs tone needle hold?
The tip does not get larger, unlike the tapered steel needle. Victor claimed that a single Tungs-tone was good for 100 to 300 records, but 50 is a more realistic number.
How many needles are in a tungs tone box?
The most common packaging for Tungs-tone needles was a tin box that holds eight needles. The tins came later. When the "Tungs-tone" was introduced in 1916, the needles came in a punch-out card. The earliest ad I have seen for this new Victor product is from June 1916.
Why do disposable needles need to be changed?
Advertisement. Needles must be changed because material used in a disposable needle is soft so it can adjust to a record's sound wave walls. Manufacturers added abrasive agents into the chemical mixture that was the basis for old discs. As a steel needle enters the first sound groove, it is subjected to a grinding.
What machines use steel needles?
Steel needles are used on MOST phonographs, including those made by Victor, Columbia, Brunswick, Sonora, Cheney, and hundreds of "offbrand" machines. Use each needle once or twice--then dispose of it. Thomas Edison's machine are the exception in that they do NOT use steel needles.
Does a tungs tone needle hurt records?
The needles will not harm records when conditions are right. The tip of the Tungs-tone needle must be straight. Straightening the point is not possible.
Connecting Victrola Suitcase Record Player
You cannot connect the Victrola Journey suitcase record player wirelessly to Bluetooth speakers. The Victrola’s Bluetooth functionality is to connect music sources like a PC or an iPhone and use the Victrola as a Bluetooth speaker and stream music to it.
Victrola Suitcase Record Player Functionality
The Victrola Journey suitcase record player will not work with iPods or other types of Bluetooth earbuds because its Bluetooth connectivity can only be used to connect music sources like an iPhone or a laptop. You can however connect wired headphones to the Victrola suitcase record player.
Victrola Suitcase Record Player Size and Weight
The Victrola Journey suitcase record player item weight is 2.7 pounds.
Other Victrola Suitcase Record Player Questions and Answers
One easy way to find replacement needle for your Victrola turntable is to go to google or Amazon on your computer or smartphone and type in ‘replacement needle’ and the MODEL # that is printed on the back of your turntable. In my case, I would search ‘replacement needle Victrola VSC-550BT’ on Amazon.
What is the stylus on a record player?
When it comes to record player accessories, the stylus is key. The stylus tip of the record player is made of diamond—the hardest known material in the world. Despite its tough reputation, even diamond is subject to wear and tear. If the stylus is worn down, you’ll notice the “highs” start to disappear.
How does a record player work?
Record players work by reading the microscopic ridges within the grooves of a record. As the stylus drags along the ridges, the vibrations shake a magnet within the cartridge, causing electrical signals to feed out along the wires in the arm.
What is a record clamp?
Record clamps are handy tools that prevent any small deformity on your record from giving you that “wah” noise. For the highest quality sound, aim to have the perfect amount of pressure between stylus and record. Too hard and the stylus won’t vibrate the finer details of the grooves.
How to clean vinyl records?
To clean a record properly, do the following: Sweep the record with a vinyl record brush to remove any small dust and dirt particles. Use a cleaning solution or a record cleaner on any smudges or fingerprints. Wipe clean with a microfiber or cotton cloth. Rinse the record with water (avoiding the central label).
How to get the best sound quality from a record player?
To generate the best sound quality from your record player, here are ten things you can do. 1. Keep the Record Player Level. When playing a record, you’ll want it to lie flat against the turntable.
What is the best way to keep your records sounding good?
Protector Case. To keep your records sounding their best for a lifetime, be sure you take proper care of both the vinyl and turntable. This means buying a protector case that covers the record player to prevent dust and other dirt particles from building up on the surface.
How to get static out of a vinyl record?
Place a regular piece of tissue paper on the record and hold it vertical . If the tissue sticks, you’ve got static. To use an anti-static gun, place the record horizontally. Bring the anti-static gun a few inches above the vinyl ring. Slowly press down the trigger as you pull the anti-static gun away.
