Lyra Helikon Mono RIP

[Audiophilehi]

Hi Guy's,

I received the latest Beatles Box Set Mono Vinyl last week. I planned on listing last weekend and switched my Helikon SL with my Helikon Mono. Not many hours on the mono (maybe 50 hours tops).

Took out the minty fresh 1st Lp PPM placed the tonearm down and To my horrific surprise the cartridge skated across the Lp.

My eyes are showing there age so I can't see if the stylus was damaged in anyway. I'll assume the tip is damaged.

Anyway, I contacted Lyra to see if they can re-tip and was quoted a price that was more then I paid for the cartridge originally. In Lyra's defense they said I would essentially be getting back a new cartridge.

So finally what I'm trying to decide is do I go for the re-tip, move on to another mono cartridge (see good reviews on Miyajima Labs Mono) or is there someway to salvage the Helikon?

 

[astrotoy]

A similar thing happened to my Lyra Helicon Mono. I believe the cause was that I let sunlight bake the cartridge (it was on a second VPI wand and I opened the blinds letting the sun in for a few days, forgetting about the Helicon Mono. I replaced it with a Miyajima Zero mono - about the same price. IMHO a significantly better mono cartridge than the Helikon Mono, which was very fine in its day.

Larry

 

[Audiophilehi]

A similar thing happened to my Lyra Helicon Mono. I believe the cause was that I let sunlight bake the cartridge (it was on a second VPI wand and I opened the blinds letting the sun in for a few days, forgetting about the Helicon Mono. I replaced it with a Miyajima Zero mono - about the same price. IMHO a significantly better mono cartridge than the Helikon Mono, which was very fine in its day.

Larry

Thanks Larry,

My Helikon Mono is on a separate VPI wand as well. I had put it out of harms way in a cabinet shelf with a glass door. I wonder if the same thing happened to mine regarding sunlight hitting it.

I was unaware what sunlight can do to a cartridge. A bit of fading maybe but to fry the tip. Ouch!!