But hold on a second… If having to re-solder a detached or replace a broken tag is seriously frustrating, isn’t replacing all four simply piling on the pain? Well, it would be if Alphason hadn’t thought the problem through. Each set of Pin-Jacks comes with the obligatory four coloured bits of heat shrink and a 1.2mm drill bit. A drill bit! Yup – it just so happens that most cartridge tags are around 1.2mm in diameter (if yours are really spindly, use a 1mm bit). Slip the Pin-Jack onto the smooth end of the drill bit and you’ve got something to hold while soldering the wire, while the presence of the drill bit also prevents the solder running and clogging the ‘fingers’ of the internal collet.
Fitting the Pin-Jacks to your tonearm is unbelievably simple – assuming that you can actually solder. Re-fitting them to your cartridge pins is just as straightforward. Just remember to measure and make a note of the VTF before you start and then to rebalance your tonearm afterwards. Can I hear a difference? I’d be lying if I said that I could, but the ease and security of the Pin-Jacks in use is justification enough. If you’ve ever suffered cartridge tag related rage issues, you’ll agree with me. Just like if you need to replace the cartridge tags on your tonearm, you’ll already understand the appeal of tthe Pin Jacks. For once, an audio product that does EXACTLY what it says on the tin… (except that they come in a neat little cardboard box).
Alphason Specialist Audio Pin-Jacks – £24.99/four
Alphason Specialist Audio
E-mail. info@alphasonaudio.com
Net. alphasonaudio.com
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