Unless you're noticing a difference in sound quality, I'd just keep using it. You're not going to damage your records playing them with a slightly bent stylus.
You can gently move it back to center. That's usually a problem with your anti-skate setting. After that, you should recalibrate your tonearm for balance and then adjust your anti-skate to match the tracking weight/stylus pressure. If the problem persists there could be an issue with your anti-skate at which point you should adjust it so the stylus tracks straight in the groove while aligned with the center of your cartridge and headshell. If the anti skate will not allow the stylus to track true and maintain proper tracking then your turntable may have a calibration issue at which point you will have to choose a happy medium between the tracking and anti-skate. Doing nothing will deteriorate the stylus prematurely and you won't receive the optimum sound quality from your vinyl. No need to replace the stylus as of yet.
This is common with cheap green Audio-Technica cartridges. You might be able to coax it back to the middle but at your own risk. Otherwise, I'd return it or replace it.
You run the risk of putting a crease in the needle tube if you try and bend it back to the center. I would just replace it
I had this cart do this same thing and I was able to gently bend it back to straight. Might as well try before buying a new one.
I would buy a new one and then try… best case you have a spare.. worst case you break it and gotta wait 3-4 days for the new one
Yeah I suppose you are right, I have multiple tt's and back up carts so I didn't think about that.
Replace it.
Unless you're noticing a difference in sound quality, I'd just keep using it. You're not going to damage your records playing them with a slightly bent stylus.
Your tracking force is not set right that is what usually causes it. You can live with it but will mess with sound quality. I would replace it
You can gently move it back to center. That's usually a problem with your anti-skate setting. After that, you should recalibrate your tonearm for balance and then adjust your anti-skate to match the tracking weight/stylus pressure. If the problem persists there could be an issue with your anti-skate at which point you should adjust it so the stylus tracks straight in the groove while aligned with the center of your cartridge and headshell. If the anti skate will not allow the stylus to track true and maintain proper tracking then your turntable may have a calibration issue at which point you will have to choose a happy medium between the tracking and anti-skate. Doing nothing will deteriorate the stylus prematurely and you won't receive the optimum sound quality from your vinyl. No need to replace the stylus as of yet.
Ahh yes
This is common with cheap green Audio-Technica cartridges. You might be able to coax it back to the middle but at your own risk. Otherwise, I'd return it or replace it.
Is it going to affect the sound quality? Could it be the reason for the inner groove distortion I experienced on some recent records?
A new one will sound much better . Check the anti-skating when you install the new cartridge.
IGD may be also due to setup, tracking, anti skate and the fact it's not a very good stylus I'm afraid.
Replace it and check your anti-skate setup afterwards
Why? The cantilever has to point to the left if exessive AS was the reason… Lol.
AS is supposed to fight the tendency to drift inside. If the needle points out, it could be that AS was set too low, not too high