Yamaha TT400u turntable

kevhed72

I have had this turntable in storage for awhile, but I am finally about to fire up some vinyl on it w/ new speakers. Since its been awhile and I don't want to jazz-up my albums or the turntable, I have 2 specific questions for the forum:
1. Do needles go 'bad' over time...if so, what is a good, reasonably priced needle for this TT.
2. I BELIEVE I located the original power cord for this. It fits the back of the turntable, but I'm not sure its the original due it went missing for about 10 years and i just located it....

Please advise...

danger boy

Needles don't go bad over time.. but your table having been in storage for so long. you at least need to rebalance the one arm.. this requires time and patience.

Also, since you don't know the condition of the needle. i would replace it before playing any albums. a new needle will sound much, much better than a worn one.

check this site for needles and cartridges. www.needledoctor.com

I don't know what cartridge you are running. so I can't recommend a needle for your turntable.

billbillw

Actually, needles do go bad over time. Not the stylus tip, but the suspension for the cantilever. Also, sometimes the glue used to hold the stylus to the cantilever lets go over time. Blame ground level ozone, UV radiation, and other factors. YMMV. Some styli work great after years of storage, some give out the first time you try to play an album.

I'd try to play an album that you don't care much about first (one that already has significant scratches). If it works, then great, if not, your choices are limited since that is a T4P (p-mount) style tonearm. There are only a handful of cartridges that will fit that style.