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Vintage Audio (record players, hi-fi etc) Amplifiers, speakers, gramophones and other audio equipment. |
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11th Jan 2017, 9:05 pm | #1 |
Triode
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 41
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Hitachi Record Deck HT-324
Hi everyone,
I am looking at Hitachi Record Deck HT-324 this week. I would be grateful to know what cartridge/stylus you would recommend to use with it so that I can research suppliers and price. Many thanks, John. |
11th Jan 2017, 9:21 pm | #2 |
Octode
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 1,275
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Re: Hitachi Record Deck HT-324
Audio Technica AT-95 would be a reasonable choice for this deck, though there are others but these are very popular and easy to get replacement styli for.
Gary |
12th Jan 2017, 10:47 am | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,302
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Re: Hitachi Record Deck HT-324
An option is the AT-91, cheaper but well regarded here. It was a mid-range deck in its day. Priced now used at £40/70 depending on working condition. You can still get a new belt.
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Edward. |
13th Jan 2017, 4:39 pm | #4 |
Triode
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 41
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Re: Hitachi Record Deck HT-324
Thank you, Edward and Gary.
I am now the proud owner of an Hitachi HT-324 turntable Although it has no cover. It has an Ortofon VMS20E MKII cartridge at present. Age unknown. Is this worth keeping and just replacing the stylus or would you recommend simply going for a newAudio Technica AT-95? Unfortunately, I did not quite understand your post above, Edward. I'd be grateful if you could clarify. Many thanks, John. Last edited by Android; 13th Jan 2017 at 4:44 pm. |
14th Jan 2017, 11:31 am | #5 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,787
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Re: Hitachi Record Deck HT-324
There may be no need to change the existing cartridge and stylus. Styluses can have a very long life if not abused. The cartridge is indeed overspecified for the arm, but that just means that you won't get the best performance from it. The previous owner obviously thought it was worth spending the money on it.
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14th Jan 2017, 1:50 pm | #6 |
Triode
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 41
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Re: Hitachi Record Deck HT-324
Thanks, everyone
So, it sounds like I will not get much, if any, performance improvement by changing the cartridge. Am I correct? If so, I might simply buy a new stylus for the sake of looking after my LPs. |
14th Jan 2017, 2:05 pm | #7 |
Octode
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 1,275
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Re: Hitachi Record Deck HT-324
If you change the VMS stylus to N15 stylus you will gain in terms of sound and a better matched cartridge and stylus to your arm, and less chance of damaging your records by using an unmatched stylus
Gary |
14th Jan 2017, 2:52 pm | #8 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,787
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Re: Hitachi Record Deck HT-324
Replacement styluses for many cartridge models are very expensive now if NOS or made to the original specification, though I haven't checked in this case. You may find it cheaper to buy one of the suggested Audio Technica cartridges instead.
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14th Jan 2017, 4:38 pm | #9 |
Octode
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 1,275
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Re: Hitachi Record Deck HT-324
Oh yes Paul if you were to buy the original Ortofon one it would be hellishly expensive, but I bought one of eBay for about £15.00 it is made in Switzerland, and works perfectly.
Gary |
14th Jan 2017, 6:13 pm | #10 |
Triode
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 41
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Re: Hitachi Record Deck HT-324
Thanks, Gary. Would either of these two be the one you purchased? Are they the correct stylus?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stylus-for...2L8NHUQLU7GWTQ http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stylus-for...gAAOSw2XFUhcml I will also check with the seller before buying , if they look correct. |
14th Jan 2017, 8:22 pm | #11 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Essex, UK.
Posts: 602
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Re: Hitachi Record Deck HT-324
As in Pauls post #5 if the previous owner went to the trouble of fitting an Ortofon VMS20E MKII then it is likely that the stylus is still in good condition, an inspection with a magnifying glass should give some indication of its condition. Could save your money.
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16th Jan 2017, 9:17 pm | #12 |
Octode
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 1,275
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Re: Hitachi Record Deck HT-324
Hello John
I bought the red one on ebay as in the first link but looking at the other on offer this will do the job aswell. So good luck, you will be fitting a far more compatible stylus Gary |