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Replacing the Stylus
Replacing the Stylus
The AT-PL120 comes supplied with a high-quality
Audio-Technica ATP-2 cartridge. The stylus should be
replaced with a genuine Audio-Technica ATP-N2 stylus.
1. Release the headshell assembly from the tone arm by
turning the locking ring clockwise.
2. Carefully remove the headshell assembly and turn it over
so the stylus is visible.
3. Remove the stylus assembly by pulling it away from the
cartridge body at a slight angle. [See Figure 7.]
4. Remove the replacement stylus from its package and
carefully align it with the cartridge body.
5. Gently push the stylus onto the cartridge body, being
careful not to damage the stylus. The stylus assembly
should click into place.
6. Replace the headshell assembly on the tone arm and
secure with the locking ring.
Figure 7 Removing the Stylus
Replacing the Cartridge
Mechanical Assembly
1. To replace the cartridge, first release the headshell
assembly from the tone arm by turning the locking ring
clockwise. Carefully remove the headshell assembly and
turn it over so that the stylus is visible. Remove the stylus
assembly by pulling it away from the cartridge body at a
slight angle. [See Figure 7.] Place the stylus assembly out
of harm’s way.
2. Remove the cartridge body by loosening the two small
screws securing the cartridge to the headshell. Set the
hardware aside to be reused with the new cartridge.
3. Unpack the new cartridge and carefully remove its stylus
assembly. Place the stylus assembly out of harm’s way.
Mount the new cartridge to the headshell assembly. Use
the mounting hardware supplied with the new cartridge or
the existing hardware removed at step 2. Tighten the
mounting screws until just snug. Replace the stylus
assembly briefly to check for mechanical interference with
the mounting hardware. The stylus assembly should click
into place. Make certain the new cartridge is properly
positioned in the headcase assembly per the
manufacturer’s instructions. Again remove the stylus
assembly for safekeeping.
Electrical Connections
1. Four terminals at the rear of the cartridge are color coded
to match standard wiring in stereo tone arms. [See Figure
8.] Connect the cartridge with the slip-on lugs provided on
the headshell wiring. NEVER SOLDER TO CARTRIDGE
TERMINALS! Heat applied to the terminals will damage
the internal cartridge wiring.
2. For monaural operation, the left and right signal leads
should be connected to the monaural output terminal and
the left and right ground leads should be connected to the
ground terminal.
3. Finally, gently push the stylus onto the cartridge body being
careful not to damage the stylus. The stylus assembly
should click into place. Replace the headshell assembly
onto the tone arm taking care not to damage the stylus
assembly.
(Note: After replacing the cartridge, reset the tone arm balance,
stylus force and anti-skate based on the new cartridge’s
specifications.)
Figure 8 Electrical Connections
Left Output
(White)
Right Output
(Red)
Right Ground
(Green)
Left Ground
(Blue)