Yes, it is true. Young folks may not know what this is. But, with the resurgence of LP records (a.k.a. “vinyl”) by now I may be wrong. Fair warning: This is a semi-trick question.
This is, in fact, the stylus housing to an Audio Technica PT200 phonograph stylus. I was originally going to say that this was the stylus, but that would be not exactly correct.
I shall explain.
First, understand that my stylus broke. I don’t know how. But, it was all wonky and the next thing I knew, it had fallen out of the housing that you see here on the right. Now, if you think back in time, you probably recall references to a phono “needle”. Prior to the stylus, phonographs used a needle in the tone arm. It was pretty much what you would expect, a slim metal needle with a nice point on the end that went into the groove of a record. The needle was mounted and secured into the end of the phonograph’s tone arm.
That primitive technology was fine when you were playing early cylinders and clay records, but it was a sure-fire way to destroy a modern plastic or vinyl disc.
The stylus became the higher-tech alternative to the needle. I recall the earlier styli clipped into a fitting in the end of the tone arm. Phonographs that played 78 rpm records in addition to 45s and 33 1/3s had two jewels and a little handle so that you could flip it over. The ruby tip was for 78 records and a diamond tip was for 45 rpm records and 33 1/3 discs.
The audiophile turntables came with cartridges and stylus housing similar to the one pictured here. The cartridge has the various circuitry components and plug connectors. To change the stylus you have to remove the stylus and the housing because the stylus part is permanently installed in the housing. The true audiophile is likely to have customized the turntable to personal taste by changing out the cartridge. In this case, when the original stylus became worn I swapped in a better cartridge and stylus assembly. What you see here is the broken parts of that swap.
I ordered a new a stylus for the PT200 and it arrived nicely packaged in a foam-padded little pill box. Very classy, which is what I would expect because these things are not cheap.
Well, by now you are probably asking whether or not there is a noticeable difference with the new stylus installed. I’d say that there really is a difference. I have read that you should be able to hear clearer tones and less pops and crackles. So far I have tested with Huey Lewis and the News’ Sports and ZZ Top’s Eliminator. Next I will try a rather over-used Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Cosmo’s Factory and see, or rather hear, what there is to hear. Based on the first two LPs, I think that this new stylus is fabulous.
Footnote: I don’t do “commercials” or anything like that (except for my affiliate ad at the bottom of this post. However, I know that I will be asked where to purchased the new stylus. If you need a stylus, cartridge, or other part you should consider checking out LP Gear where I purchased my part.