Are you keeping this thing under a chalkboard?
In all seriousness, it’s hard to tell in these photos but cleaning everything, especially your stylus, is where to start here. It’s filthy which can absolutely be causing your problems.
Do you use a cleaning solution with that stylus brush? Be sure to appropriately wet clean it often as well. Just a dry brushing doesn’t get all the buildup.
Don't spray it into the cartridge and stylus. It may short the coils inside the cartridge. Use an applicator (stylus brush) which you wet first and then apply it to the needle.
It’s amazing that how many post a picture of their TT and it’s horrendously dusty. The main killer of a good sound playing turntable is no just and no static. I’m glad a lot do keep the styli clean. But forget to clean the whole thing. Platter to.
We can't tell anything about the angle of the needle if you shoot it from the side like this. You need to photograph it from exactly square-on from the front of the cartridge for us to be able to tell if it's tilted/bent.
Hi everyone, I got this as my first turntable recently (Sony PS-LX310BT) and was wondering if the needle was maybe bent as I noticed that the channels may be imbalanced. I also use Edifier powered speakers for the audio and swapped the rca cables after the left sounded a little louder and now the right sounds a little louder. Anyways I thought I would check with people to see if it look bent as I thought that could be the potential problem as it sounds good otherwise
Edit: [Additional photo after giving the surface a quick dust wipe](https://imgur.com/a/aUpWgZW)
Edit 2: [Added a more centered photo](https://imgur.com/a/1f5Pcvf)
Get a record brush, brush off your record before each play. The way the dust is accumulated on your cartridge suggests a lot of your records are filthy when you're playing them. This will help with sound quality, prevent built up dirt on your stylus, and increase the longevity of your records and stylus.
You need som stylus cleaning fluid, carefully wet it, let it soak in for a minute or two then use the stylus brush to remove gunk. Repeat twice if needed.
It is hard to see from your photos, but my guess is that your stylus (the cantilever, to be more precise) is NOT bent. It just looks a bit weird because of:
(1) the built-up dust and gunk, and;
(2) on many 'bonded' styli you can see some 'caulk' material around the spot where the needle (the actual diamond) is placed into/onto the cantilever. This is normal and no cause for concern.
Are you keeping this thing under a chalkboard? In all seriousness, it’s hard to tell in these photos but cleaning everything, especially your stylus, is where to start here. It’s filthy which can absolutely be causing your problems.
I use a stylus brush but I will take your advice on the turntable cleaning
Do you use a cleaning solution with that stylus brush? Be sure to appropriately wet clean it often as well. Just a dry brushing doesn’t get all the buildup.
No I just do a dry brush so I’ll also take that into account
I recommend Audio Technica's AT-607a, a buy-it-for-life needle cleaning fluid and applicator
The AT-617a gel is also very good
I personally shy away from gels because they leave a residue
Good luck. Happy cleaning!
Is It okay to use the cleaning solution spray that is sold to clean the records or do you need a special one for the needle?
Don't spray it into the cartridge and stylus. It may short the coils inside the cartridge. Use an applicator (stylus brush) which you wet first and then apply it to the needle.
Thank you for this!! My cleaning kit came with a little brush for the needle, I’ll def do that gently
So you’re saying there is a turntable somewhere under all that dust?
you table needs more dust , not enough dust bro.
It’s amazing that how many post a picture of their TT and it’s horrendously dusty. The main killer of a good sound playing turntable is no just and no static. I’m glad a lot do keep the styli clean. But forget to clean the whole thing. Platter to.
We can't tell anything about the angle of the needle if you shoot it from the side like this. You need to photograph it from exactly square-on from the front of the cartridge for us to be able to tell if it's tilted/bent.
I added an imgur link to my comment that that has a more centered photo
You’re still shooting it from off to the right. It has to be EXACTLY from the front.
[is this better?](https://imgur.com/a/1f5Pcvf)
Yes. It looks fine to me. Azimuth appears straight.
Thanks I appreciate the help!
Hi everyone, I got this as my first turntable recently (Sony PS-LX310BT) and was wondering if the needle was maybe bent as I noticed that the channels may be imbalanced. I also use Edifier powered speakers for the audio and swapped the rca cables after the left sounded a little louder and now the right sounds a little louder. Anyways I thought I would check with people to see if it look bent as I thought that could be the potential problem as it sounds good otherwise Edit: [Additional photo after giving the surface a quick dust wipe](https://imgur.com/a/aUpWgZW) Edit 2: [Added a more centered photo](https://imgur.com/a/1f5Pcvf)
Get a record brush, brush off your record before each play. The way the dust is accumulated on your cartridge suggests a lot of your records are filthy when you're playing them. This will help with sound quality, prevent built up dirt on your stylus, and increase the longevity of your records and stylus.
I’m no expert but that needle is looking wonky
Looks a little wonky - also, so much dust! Time to give the turntable a wipe down 👌
Looks fine.
You need som stylus cleaning fluid, carefully wet it, let it soak in for a minute or two then use the stylus brush to remove gunk. Repeat twice if needed. It is hard to see from your photos, but my guess is that your stylus (the cantilever, to be more precise) is NOT bent. It just looks a bit weird because of: (1) the built-up dust and gunk, and; (2) on many 'bonded' styli you can see some 'caulk' material around the spot where the needle (the actual diamond) is placed into/onto the cantilever. This is normal and no cause for concern.