Tasebass Posted May 28, 2016 Posted May 28, 2016 May have been asked before but what form of microscope do you use to inspect your stylus..?? Cheers Tase.
audiofeline Posted May 28, 2016 Posted May 28, 2016 I bought a cheap usb microsope on ebay via china. I haven't looked at a styli yet, but it had excellent magnification for other things I looked at to test it. I bought it to look at some records which have damage causing the styli to jump. I have thought it could be good when used with a laptop for styli inspection.
Graceman Posted May 28, 2016 Posted May 28, 2016 There are lots of USB microscopes available on the internet and they give magnifications up to about x300. They need a very steady hand or a clamp to ensure you get a decent image, which will let you see how clean your stylus is. They are quite good and I often use one. If you want to assess wear, then you need upwards of x1000. If I can work out how to add an image I found on the net it shows a pic of a stylus in a groove taken at x2000 and you would struggle to see wear but it illustrates which part of the tip you need to check. Most of the average audiophiles' images show colouration due to the refraction of the light source, and which is often interpreted as wear. 2
Graceman Posted May 28, 2016 Posted May 28, 2016 This is a typical USB Microscope shot. Closer is possible, but can be difficult.... 2
andyr Posted May 28, 2016 Posted May 28, 2016 (edited) Here's a shot I took of the stylus on my Stanton 'WOS CS100' after I'd had it re-tipped (at x60): Clean, clean, clean! Andy Edited May 28, 2016 by andyr 3
Hergest Posted May 28, 2016 Posted May 28, 2016 Here's a shot I took of the stylus on my Stanton 'WOS CS100' after I'd had it re-tipped (at x60): Stanton WOS CS100 After Retip at 60x.jpg Clean, clean, clean! Andy What with Andy? What microscope I mean.
andyr Posted May 28, 2016 Posted May 28, 2016 What with Andy? What microscope I mean. Well, a USB microscope, H!! Seriously, it was either: my 'Traveler' (bought from Aldi for $15! ). This is kind-of like a conventional microscope in that the microscope fits vertically into a stand ... and there's a wheel to raise and lower the base where you rest the cart on, to get it into focus. Trouble is ... the movement of the wheel is large and jerky!! or a brand-less Chinese-origin one bought from FleaBay. I'm sure I didn't pay more than $30 for it. Both are pretty average - I can't use their higher magnifications as I find it too difficult to move either microscope, to get into perfect focus at x200. Someone needs to invent a micrometer-driven 'holder' that you can mount the USB microscope on, for focussing. Andy
Hergest Posted May 28, 2016 Posted May 28, 2016 (edited) Thanks Andy. The photo of yours you posted is clear enough to gauge the cleanliness of the stylus which is the kind of thing I'm interested in. I don't know if wear would even be recognisable until it is severe and too late. Edited May 28, 2016 by Hergest
andyr Posted May 28, 2016 Posted May 28, 2016 xx I don't know if wear would even be recognisable until it is severe and too late. That's my understanding too, H. Hence, I stick to 1,000 hrs (2,800 sides - using a 'clicker') before a retip. Although I had understood that you could see wear at 200x ... although Stuart has just posted that you need 1000x! Thanks Andy. The photo of yours you posted is clear enough to gauge the cleanliness of the stylus which is the kind of thing I'm interested in. Yes, it's nice to be able to do a quick cleanliness check ... but I really would like to be able to get a handle on wear, too. Andy 1
Graceman Posted May 28, 2016 Posted May 28, 2016 Of the two pictures in post 4, I understand the upper one was at x1000 and the lower at x2000.
Telecine Posted May 28, 2016 Posted May 28, 2016 It takes expertise to identify wear. Leave it to the experts. Cleanliness of the stylus is a different issue. 2
Addicted to music Posted May 28, 2016 Posted May 28, 2016 Of the two pictures in post 4, I understand the upper one was at x1000 and the lower at x2000. I doubt those images are taken from an optical microscope, optical resolution is limited to 2000x Max, cost of one that reaches that far are out of reach and you won't get images like what's posted. Those images if your right, are done on an electron microscope.
VanArn Posted May 28, 2016 Posted May 28, 2016 A magnification of x 200 with a stereo microscope of the Olympus,Nikon or similar quality optical variety will enable the polish and profile of a stylus to be clearly seen but wear flats can be difficult to discern especially when confronted with a microridge shape.A metallurgical microscope( up to x 600) is required for an accurate assessment of stylus wear and this facility is not something that I have come across as being available at a HI FI/Stereo outlet :even as a paid service. 1
Graceman Posted May 28, 2016 Posted May 28, 2016 I doubt those images are taken from an optical microscope, optical resolution is limited to 2000x Max, cost of one that reaches that far are out of reach and you won't get images like what's posted. Those images if your right, are done on an electron microscope. Could well be the case. I only have them on file for instructive purposes, but I have no reason to doubt the resolution figures.
skippy124 Posted May 28, 2016 Posted May 28, 2016 (edited) EDIT - Image from MY Iphone Needs a clean........ Edited May 28, 2016 by skippy124 2
Guest Muon Posted May 28, 2016 Posted May 28, 2016 I had a cheap ($40) 500x usb one, ended up being fairly useless to me and was binned as I had no other need for it. A quality one would no doubt have been a different outcome.
Tasebass Posted May 29, 2016 Author Posted May 29, 2016 EDIT - Image from MY Iphone I'm no expert but there seems to be some wear on the left side tangentially from the base to the tip IMO... What were/are you using with the Iphone John as all I want to do is check for dirt and possible wear with my admittedly very little knowledge though I will educate myself... Cheers Tony.
skippy124 Posted May 29, 2016 Posted May 29, 2016 (edited) Hi Tony I was using one of these http://www.jaycar.com.au/50x-magnifier-with-cover-to-suit-iphone-4-5-samsung-galaxy-s3/p/QM3516 But it looks like they no longer stock them. Only 50x magnification too but works ok when you use the digital zoom on the iPhone Cheers John Edited May 29, 2016 by skippy124 1
Addicted to music Posted May 29, 2016 Posted May 29, 2016 Hi Tony I was using one of thesehttp://www.jaycar.com.au/50x-magnifier-with-cover-to-suit-iphone-4-5-samsung-galaxy-s3/p/QM3516 But it looks like they no longer stock them. Only 50x magnification too but works ok when you use the digital zoom on the iPhone Cheers John I'd like you to know that I tried very hard to get the same image you post with the ordinary iPhone 5 camera.......without success..... and now I just realised what you did....errrrrr! 1
Owen Y Posted May 29, 2016 Posted May 29, 2016 I'd concur with Graceman & Muon - ideally it would be good to have 1000x magnification to comfortably examine a stylus tip. I think I raised this once before - whether anyone had found a reas priced USB m/scope that could do this job. Michael Fremer used a Dino-Lite USB scope with only 200x magnif, but this is useful only for the VTA/SRA exercise that he was looking atn - and that scope was a hefty US$250. Dino-lite make them up to 500x magnif & with one of their high MPixel models, I'd imagine that it could do the job of viewing contact wear - but at what $$$? So the Q remains, has anyone found and/or use an affordable 'scope, USB or optical? Cheers, Owen Dark Lantern blog - http://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/
Addicted to music Posted May 29, 2016 Posted May 29, 2016 I'd concur with Graceman & Muon - ideally it would be good to have 1000x magnification to comfortably examine a stylus tip. I think I raised this once before - whether anyone had found a reas priced USB m/scope that could do this job. Michael Fremer used a Dino-Lite USB scope with only 200x magnif, but this is useful only for the VTA/SRA exercise that he was looking atn - and that scope was a hefty US$250. Dino-lite make them up to 500x magnif & with one of their high MPixel models, I'd imagine that it could do the job of viewing contact wear - but at what $$$? So the Q remains, has anyone found and/or use an affordable 'scope, USB or optical? Cheers, Owen Dark Lantern blog - http://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/ The last time I used a microscope was in high school and from memory an image under the scope at 750x is almost impossible to see unless certain criteria are met, and that was with a slide that's 2 dimension, It's not hard to do but under a standard professional microscope that can achieve over the 1000X it will be hard to do with a TT stylus that's considered a 3D object. You will need special lighting....definately not a walk in the park, however with USB I could be wrong.
Citroen Posted May 29, 2016 Posted May 29, 2016 I'd concur with Graceman & Muon - ideally it would be good to have 1000x magnification to comfortably examine a stylus tip. I think I raised this once before - whether anyone had found a reas priced USB m/scope that could do this job. Michael Fremer used a Dino-Lite USB scope with only 200x magnif, but this is useful only for the VTA/SRA exercise that he was looking atn - and that scope was a hefty US$250. Dino-lite make them up to 500x magnif & with one of their high MPixel models, I'd imagine that it could do the job of viewing contact wear - but at what $$$? So the Q remains, has anyone found and/or use an affordable 'scope, USB or optical? Cheers, Owen Dark Lantern blog - http://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/ The trouble I've found with the cheaper USB microscopes is that you can't get them close enough to focus accurately, simply because of the size of the cart body. I've also tried lab spec'd stereo microscopes with good results. But these cost thousands. Another cheap trick is to use a zoom camera lens in reverse. It acts as a macro, if you don't already have one. All you need is the right reverse attachment. 1
Owen Y Posted May 29, 2016 Posted May 29, 2016 The last time I used a microscope was in high school and from memory an image under the scope at 750x is almost impossible to see unless certain criteria are met, and that was with a slide that's 2 dimension, It's not hard to do but under a standard professional microscope that can achieve over the 1000X it will be hard to do with a TT stylus that's considered a 3D object. You will need special lighting....definately not a walk in the park, however with USB I could be wrong. Good point, depth of field is minimal under these conditions. And Citroen, yes, the reverse lens trick was my go-to stylus magnifier (wide-angle works best for me) - I must check again, as I have some more/different lenses to try, excellent optics usually. The advantage of USB of course, is the digital file output. Cheers, Owen Dark Lantern blog - http://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/ Cheers, Owen 1
Citroen Posted May 29, 2016 Posted May 29, 2016 A ring flash would probably help. But might get physically in the way.
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