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Replacing a Needle on a Record Player - Help! Please!

As the title says, I need to replace the needle on my record player. After about 3 years of use the needle busted and I carefully took out the remaining end with tweezers. I've been googling info/and youtubing videos and I'm getting the grasp of each component and what I need to do but talkbass always rules for advice. I have a Numark TT1600 MKII turntable and along with that there is a HS-1 headshell and a GT cartridge. I'm unsure as to what the stylus exactly is. I'm assuming its another term that can be assimilated with the stylus. But anyways....knowing all these soecs is super dandy but I just want to replace the needle. Do I need to buy a brand new cartridge, or can I just buy a separate needle and insert it into the cartridge. I've been looking up "needles" but I'm getting the whole shebang! As always the advice is always appreciated! Thank you!
 
i actually had already seen that video. it was super informative for sure! sorry for my ignorance, but when should a cartridge be replaced? i've read that it should be replaced every 2000-2500 hours of use but to be honest I haven't counted all that time! are there any clear signs as to when to replace the cartridge?
 
Hi,

I've got a similar question, I've been donated a Numark TT-1520 turntable and am trying to set it up to sound nice and not destroy my records but have no idea of what the counterweight should be set to. There are no model names on the cartridge except for the Audio-Technica logo on the front of it. I'm thinking I should just replace the cartridge as I don't know what condition the current one is in and it does sound a tad scratchy.

Is there a specific cartridge I should replace it with or can I just throw one of these in?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Audio-Technic...rntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5add55f7b1

I'm new to this vinyl stuff but I'm enjoying what I'm hearing so far!


Thanks

Hugh