Replacement stylus - for cartridge N1 - Clearaudio

Turntable accessories - Cartridges

The stylus is the heart of every cartridge system - it touches the groove, reads the information, transmits everything that makes up the music. The clearaudio replacement stylus for the N1 is the original replacement stylus from the Erlangen-based manufacturer, manufactured with the same elliptical diamond cut and aluminum stylus carrier as the factory-fitted assembly. If you restore your clearaudio N1 to factory condition after intensive record listening - or quickly repair a defect - you will get back exactly the sound characteristics for which the N1 was developed.

clearaudio has equipped the N1 with an innovative plug-in system that makes changing the stylus a matter of seconds - even when the cartridge is installed, without tools or adjustment. The stylus carrier is simply removed and the new unit inserted. This not only saves time during maintenance, but also protects the sensitive cartridge body from unnecessary mechanical damage. Typical stylus life is 500 to 1,000 hours - anyone who listens to records regularly should keep an eye on the wear level.

The N1 works according to the proven moving magnet principle (MM) - a magnet on the stylus carrier moves between permanently mounted coils and generates the electrical output signal. With an output voltage of around 2.9 mV, the replacement stylus is optimally matched to classic MM phono inputs, as found on almost every phono preamplifier and many integrated amplifiers. Operation without an additional amplification stage is possible without any problems.

The elliptical diamond cut on the aluminum stylus enables precise scanning of the groove geometry down to 80 µm - it follows the groove modulation curve more precisely than a simple spherical cut, which is reflected in a clearer high-frequency resolution, better channel separation (20 dB) and lower distortion with narrow groove modulations. The sound of the N1 is balanced, natural and with a level of detail that goes far beyond the entry-level class: voices sound full-bodied, instruments are clearly contoured and complex passages remain transparent.

A worn stylus not only damages the sound - in the worst case, it also irreversibly damages the record grooves. Typical signs that the stylus needs to be changed are: decreasing high-frequency resolution, increasing distortion, especially in loud passages, a dull or sleepy overall sound, or visible wear on the diamond under a magnifying glass. A guideline value for an elliptical diamond cut is a service life of around 500 to 1,000 hours - depending on the weight of the platter, platter quality and cleaning discipline. If you clean your plates regularly and adhere to the recommended weight of 2.2 g (±0.3 g), you will be at the upper end of this range.

For stylus care, clearaudio offers the Stylus Cleaner Pad - an antistatic silicone gel pad that removes dust particles by simply lowering the cartridge, without liquid or mechanical friction. A gentle daily cleaning routine noticeably extends stylus life and protects the record surface at the same time.