How to Replace a Turntable Cartridge & Picking a Replacement

Replacing a turntable cartridge is a relatively straightforward procedure. Even if you’re new to vinyl and turntables, it doesn’t require advanced knowledge to replace a cartridge successfully.

TL:DR; The basic steps to replace a cartridge:

1. First, choose a replacement cartridge
2. Power off and disconnect your turntable from the mains
3. Remove the headshell if your turntable allows you to
4. Unscrew and remove the existing cartridge
5. Attach the new cartridge: Reconnect the color-coded wires, mount the cartridge and re-insert the screws
6. Align the cartridge and recalibrate your system.

Read on for a more detailed explanation of how to replace a cartridge and how to choose the right replacement for your setup.

I’ll explain how you know when it’s time for a replacement, and I’ll recommend some good cartridges to look at.

Why should you replace a turntable cartridge?

There are two main reasons why you should replace the stylus or cartridge in your turntable.

1. First, an older stylus wears a record groove quicker, which ruins records and degrades their precious sound quality.
2. Secondly, a new cartridge will be able to more accurately track the groove information, resulting in a better sound during music playback.

But when should you replace it…?

How do I know when it’s time for a new cartridge?

There are several scenarios where it’s time to replace your cartridge. If you’ve had the same cartridge installed for several years with many hours of play, and it doesn’t quite sound as good as it did before, it might be time.

It’s worth noting that often the manufacturers will specify a ‘recommended max usage time’ in the product manual. This gives a rough rating of how many hours the cartridge should last at peak performance. That said, in reality, it’s hard to keep track of the exact length of time – so use the indicators below.

Worn out stylus

Styluses (the small needle-like component that runs through the groove) have limited lifespans. Through hours of use, they wear down. Worn-out styluses create a lower-quality audio signal with reduced high and low frequencies, poorer definition, and a muffled sound.

Damaged styluses can also damage your vinyl records and will wear their grooves out quicker, which obviously you want to avoid.

As stylus wear is a gradual process, it’s often hard to tell exactly when it becomes too worn, as your ear may become used to the muffled sound. However, if you look and listen closely, you should be able to tell. Sometimes it’s worth comparing the sound of your record to a digital file (from Spotify or YouTube, for example) to judge how worn your needle is.

Note – You don’t always need to replace the entire cartridge. Depending on its design (and the issues), you might be able to replace just the stylus rather than the whole cartridge, which will save you some cash. Just google around for a replacement stylus that’s compatible with your original cartridge. Sometimes you can order them directly from the cartridge manufacturer.

Broken cartridge body

Sometimes other parts of a cartridge’s body break or wear out. This can result in crackling or generally poor performance. The most common issue here is loose connections inside the cartridge or damage to the terminals. If you are experiencing any of these issues, then it’s probably time for a new cartridge.

You can afford an upgrade

Sometimes you might want to upgrade your cart if you have enough money and want a better sound. Even if your current cart isn’t damaged.

Upgrading your cart is one of the easiest ways to achieve better sound quality from your record player. Because the stylus and cart are so early in the vinyl process, they have a huge effect on the overall sound fidelity of your turntable system.

Investing in a high-quality cart can make a huge difference to your setup. I often recommend this as one of the first parts to upgrade, provided you already have decent amplifiers and speakers.

How to replace a turntable cartridge?

This section outlines the steps taken to install a new cartridge in detail. Whilst the specifics might be a little different depending on the style of the tonearm, cartridge, and turntable model, the overall procedure is relatively uniform.

What do you need to replace a cartridge?

You only need a couple of tools to replace a cartridge.

• A cartridge to use as a replacement.
• A small flathead screwdriver – for removing the headshell screws. (Order from Amazon)
• Tweezers – optional but useful.
• Calibration tools – stylus force gauge, cartridge alignment protractor.
• A steady hand and patience.

Replacing a turntable’s cartridge: Step-by-step guide

Follow these replacement and installation instructions to swap your previous cart with a new one.

1. Find and purchase the cartridge replacement you need.
2. Power off the turntable and any connected audio gear. (I usually turn everything off at the wall socket).
3. Remove the headshell (if the turntable design allows it).
   1. 1. This makes replacing the cart less fiddly. Typically there is a screw sleeve that needs to be loosened to allow the headshell to be detached from the tonearm.

    

4. Remove the old cartridge from the headshell.
   1. Disconnect the four small wires connecting the cart to the headshell. This is generally easiest to do with a pair of tweezers. Simply pull the connectors from the headshell terminals.
   2. Unscrew the headshell screws (usually two screws) which attach the cart to the headshell. Use a flathead screwdriver. (Keep the screws safe, although sometimes you’ll get new screws with the cart). Usually, you can find the screws on the top face of the headshell.
   3. Remove the old cart. Either discard it or keep it for reference.
5. Attach the new cartridge.
   1. Note – because styli are incredibly sensitive, it’s always worth leaving the stylus guard on during installation for protection.
   2. Remove the cartridge from its packaging, making sure the stylus cover is attached.
   3. Hold the cart to the headshell, lining the cartridge’s screw holes with the headshell screw holes.
   4. Loosely tighten each screw to secure the cartridge to the headshell. Avoid tightening fully at this stage.
   5. Position the cart to a roughly central position (you will calibrate this later).
   6. Fully tighten the screws to lock the cart firmly to the headshell.
   7. Attach the wires to the terminals. Make sure the color-coded wires match up with the correct terminals. Typically the headshell terminals have markings to indicate which wire is the right one to connect.
   8. Reattach the headshell to the tonearm. Usually, you insert the headshell into the tonearm socket, then tighten the sleeve locking mechanism to lock the components together. Make sure you hold the tonearm steady.

    

6. Recalibrate the cartridge. Tutorial here → How to Calibrate Turntable Cartridge Alignment
   1. Vertical Tracking Force – Use a stylus force gauge to measure the weight. Adjust the counterweight until it matches the VTF specified in the manufacturer’s manual. (or search online “Cartridge Name + tracking force weight”).
   2. Cartridge Alignment – You’ll need an alignment protractor to ensure you can properly align your cart. You can either print them or buy a plastic/metal one. In short, check the alignment against the alignment protractor, then loosen the screws, adjust the headshell alignment, and retighten. You might also consider using an overhang gauge.
7. Once everything is properly set, listen to some records to test playback and recalibrate anything as needed.

The above steps cover every part of the replacement process. It might vary slightly for certain record players.

How to replace the turntable stylus in your cartridge.

If your cartridge allows, you might be able to simply swap the stylus rather than the whole unit. Replacing the stylus is an even more streamlined process compared to swapping the whole.

Note – Always leave the stylus guard on to protect the stylus; the last thing you want to do is break your new stylus when you’re trying to replace it.

1. Remove the old stylus  – typically, they slide out of the cartridge but check the manufacturer’s instruction manual for more details. You might need to use needle nose pliers based on the stylus mounting style.
   
2. Order the replacement– make sure you get the exact model number.
3. Insert the new stylus – usually, you just slide the new stylus into the housing, in reverse of how you removed it.
4. Voila! Enjoy your refreshed audio quality.

Re-Calibration

After changing the cartridge, it’s important you recalibrate the related parts to optimize audio quality. I’ve given a brief explanation for each area, but it’s worth looking at the full guides to get more detailed instructions on recalibration:

• How to Calibrate Turntable Cartridge Alignment
• Vertical Tracking Angle: What is it and How Do You Set It?
• Turntable Anti-Skate: What is it and How to Set it Correctly

How to choose a turntable cartridge replacement?

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of cartridge models out there. So it can be hard to choose a replacement, particularly if it’s your first time.

This section will help you to choose the best replacement cartridge model for your deck.

Needle Shape

Styluses come with a range of needle head shapes. Each of these has unique properties, it’s usually a tradeoff between durability and sensitivity.

Conical and Elliptical are the most common stylus tip shapes, which offer a decent level of durability. An elliptical is slightly more sensitive (resulting in more detail) due to its pointier shape.  While conical tips are more durable, although offer less detail due to their blunter, thicker design.

There are a bunch of other shapes, including Fine Line, Shibata, Microline, and others. You can find out more about stylus shapes here → Cartridge Mount Types.

The best type for you depends on your preferences. Do you mind paying for faster deterioration in order to achieve a higher level of initial quality?

Generator type – Moving Magnet or Moving Coil Cartridge

‘Generator’ refers to the mechanical system used by the cart to create the raw audio signal. There are two main types of cartridge generator systems – moving magnet and moving coil.

These use essentially reversed internal mechanics, which results in performance differences.

In short, MM-type cartridges are more common, cheaper, and run on standard equipment and preamps. MC cartridges offer increased quality and definition but are more expensive and require specific MC-compatible preamps to work.

Most turntables are compatible with either type, it’s just the phono preamp that needs to be suitable.

For more information on this subject, check out my full guide – Moving Magnets vs Moving Coil Cartridges.

Mounting system

Cartridges use a range of mounting systems to attach themselves to the tonearm. Many turntables and cartridges use a headshell-based system, where the cart is screwed into a headshell, which is attached to the tonearm.

Alternatively, some cartridges use an integrated style, which means they don’t need a headshell. Not all integrated carts are compatible with all turntables. It really depends on what kind of tonearm your deck has and whether you want to use a headshell or not.

Here are the common mounting systems:

• • Standard/Half-inch – use screws and a headshell.

    

• P-mount – attach directly to the tonearm; no need for a headshell.
  
• Universal – can work with either system using an adapter.

Trackability

This is an often overlooked specification, but it measures how effectively a stylus can read a spinning groove. The trackability measurement defines how much amplitude (volume) the stylus can handle before the signal distorts.

Trackability is measured in micrometers (μm) with higher values resulting in better performance and the ability to handle a larger dynamic range with less distortion.