nu-b question #1: the triad

[Pitchfork^666]

My first turntable arrived yesterday (new Stanton 8-80 for $100!!!) and there are a few things I'm trying to understand.

Please let me know if this is correct:
1) the "Shell" is what plugs into the arm
2) the "cartridge" is what plugs into the shell
3) the "styli" is what plugs into the cartridge...(is styli another word for the needle?)

Please illuminate me into this terminology.

Thank you :)

[GoldSeraph]

Correct but 'styli' is the term for multiples of a 'stylus'
Think octopus and octopi

[Pitchfork^666]

Thanks for clearing that up!

O.K., that leaves me with a lot of other questions, for anyone willing to answer:

Do most carts come with the stylus already installed?
It's probably all fairly propriety stuff, right?

What I mean is, only certain styli will fit in specific carts.
and only certain carts will fit in certain shells.
and only certain shells will match will certain TTs.

Or is it all fairly easy to interchange?

I guess I understand why you would just want to buy a new stylus rather than an entire new cart. It probably costs a lot less in the long run. Are the stylus pretty easy to replace? Are carts pretty much something you only buy once, since you can theoretically keep replacing the stylus?

I'll save the rest of my questions for now...

[Hades25]

hey man....the stylus and cart I think only go with the same brand.....and I think any headshell will fit the cart........I go the easy (yet more expensive route) and just buy the carts that dont need headshells.....like stanton trackmasters.....ortofons are real decent carts too.....they just fit right on the tonearm.....easy work

peace

[Pitchfork^666]

Originally posted by Hades25:
hey man....the stylus and cart I think only go with the same brand.....and I think any headshell will fit the cart........I go the easy (yet more expensive route) and just buy the carts that dont need headshells.....like stanton trackmasters.....ortofons are real decent carts too.....they just fit right on the tonearm.....easy work

peace

Thanks for the Reply!
That sounds good (once I get good enough to buy expensive equipment :) )

I was asking about hte headshell, mainly because my TT came with one ;)