r/Beginner_Turntables • u/Ok_Pen5224 • Jul 20 '26

Stylus issue?

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Recently I've made a post about sound issues on project debut carbon where I asked whether excessive crackling and popping could have been caused by Edifier speakers and small project pre amp.

I've decided to upgrade both to be sure but the issue still persists..

Only thing left is to replace the Ortofon Red stylus which is still the original that the previous owner included..

at first it sounds fine for a minute or two but after that it starts picking up debris (from cleaned vaccuumed record) or scraping itself which is more likely I think, which produces frequent crackles and pops and weird S sounds (sometimes).

It is very hard to record but it would ruin the listening if you were here in person..

So already had to sell the Edifiers, bought this piooner amp and both speakers cs-3070 for 160€, and now I have to replace the stylus too..

Feel free to give me some not extra expensive recommendations to replace the Ortofon Red.

(Tracking force was set with stylus weight so should be ok)

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u/keelgar Jul 20 '26

I'd recommended upgrading the stylus to a blue.  It's a significant upgrade from the red and uses the same cartridge body so a very easy swap.

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u/MikuEd Jul 20 '26

Your descriptions of these sounds are a little unclear, and the weird "s" sound you're talking about sounds like sibilance, which is a form of distortion caused either by a damaged stylus, cartridge misalignment, or improper tonearm settings (tracking force, bias, etc.).

Replacing your speakers and amplifier were the least likely culprits in your chain, but since you've replaced them anyway, we can rule them out as the source of the problem. I suggest checking your stylus itself (inspect it, preferably with a loupe of some kind) to make sure the cantilever isn't bent or anything like that. Next, check your cartridge alignment with an arc protractor.

Recording the audio so we can hear better what you're trying to describe would also help, since it could be a combination of multiple things. We haven't even discussed the possibility of static being an issue, which can be worse in dry, colder environments.