Audio-Technica AT-PL120 manual Replacing the Stylus, Replacing the Cartridge, Removing the Stylus

Replacing the Stylus

Replacing the Stylus

The AT-PL120 comes supplied with a high-quality Audio-Technica ATP-2 cartridge. The stylus should be replaced with a genuine Audio-Technica ATP-N2 stylus.

1.Release the headshell assembly from the tone arm by turning the locking ring clockwise.

2.Carefully remove the headshell assembly and turn it over so the stylus is visible.

3.Remove the stylus assembly by pulling it away from the cartridge body at a slight angle. [See Figure 7.]

4.Remove the replacement stylus from its package and carefully align it with the cartridge body.

5.Gently push the stylus onto the cartridge body, being careful not to damage the stylus. The stylus assembly should click into place.

6.Replace the headshell assembly on the tone arm and secure with the locking ring.

Figure 7 Removing the Stylus

Replacing the Cartridge

Mechanical Assembly

1.To replace the cartridge, first release the headshell assembly from the tone arm by turning the locking ring clockwise. Carefully remove the headshell assembly and turn it over so that the stylus is visible. Remove the stylus assembly by pulling it away from the cartridge body at a slight angle. [See Figure 7.] Place the stylus assembly out of harm’s way.

2.Remove the cartridge body by loosening the two small screws securing the cartridge to the headshell. Set the hardware aside to be reused with the new cartridge.

3.Unpack the new cartridge and carefully remove its stylus assembly. Place the stylus assembly out of harm’s way. Mount the new cartridge to the headshell assembly. Use the mounting hardware supplied with the new cartridge or the existing hardware removed at step 2. Tighten the mounting screws until just snug. Replace the stylus assembly briefly to check for mechanical interference with the mounting hardware. The stylus assembly should click into place. Make certain the new cartridge is properly positioned in the headcase assembly per the manufacturer’s instructions. Again remove the stylus assembly for safekeeping.

Electrical Connections

1.Four terminals at the rear of the cartridge are color coded to match standard wiring in stereo tone arms. [See Figure 8.] Connect the cartridge with the slip-on lugs provided on the headshell wiring. NEVER SOLDER TO CARTRIDGE TERMINALS! Heat applied to the terminals will damage the internal cartridge wiring.

2.For monaural operation, the left and right signal leads should be connected to the monaural output terminal and the left and right ground leads should be connected to the ground terminal.

3.Finally, gently push the stylus onto the cartridge body being careful not to damage the stylus. The stylus assembly should click into place. Replace the headshell assembly onto the tone arm taking care not to damage the stylus assembly.

(Note: After replacing the cartridge, reset the tone arm balance, stylus force and anti-skate based on the new cartridge’s specifications.)

Figure 8 Electrical Connections

	Right Output
	(Red)
Left Output	Right Ground
(White)	(Green)

Left Ground

(Blue)

8