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Occasionally I see Tungs-Tone needles usually in their original tin selling on Ebay.. For the most part people are willing to pay up for them if they are not used.

Is there a huge benefit of using these needles over the plain old steel needles?? I have a few but don't really notice a big difference in the sound quality..

Was wondering if they are better for the record as far as degradation...

Blizz

They aren't better for the record.

People buy them so they can get fifty plays without changing needles, or to use the tin as a display with a late-model Orthophonic, or for a neat collectible. As they are, they don't sound very good.

If I were looking for a nice needle, I would check with TMF member Orchosol and get some Burmese Colour Needles, or check with Soundgen or VictrolaGuy-Walt for some steel ones.

VanEpsFan1914 wrote:They aren't better for the record.

People buy them so they can get fifty plays without changing needles, or to use the tin as a display with a late-model Orthophonic, or for a neat collectible. As they are, they don't sound very good.

If I were looking for a nice needle, I would check with TMF member Orchosol and get some Burmese Colour Needles, or check with Soundgen or VictrolaGuy-Walt for some steel ones.

I beg to differ on that.

I am getting more and more into early changers, though. Three longer play needle types I have been using a lot of lately are the HMV "Long Play" needles, Columbia Duragold, and RCA Victor Chromium needles. All seem quite satisfactory, sound good, and really don't seem to affect record wear... and I pay records a LOT.

At the first little hint of deteriorating volume or fidelity, change them. The Duragolds are good for 10 plays so I discard after that. The HMV are good for 30-45 plays, and the Chromiums about the same, but it really depends on the machine.

The Tungs Tone sound great on Victor records, but not on other brands, it seems.

I think overall the HMV Long Play is the winner, with RCA Chromium being a close second. I believe soundgen carries the HMV LP needles, too. I've been using these on my Vic V with the Victrola No. 4 reproducer for years as well. With the original Exhibition it's steel only, though.

I need to get some Burmese needles to try out on the V sometime.

fmblizz wrote:Occasionally I see Tungs-Tone needles usually in their original tin selling on Ebay.. For the most part people are willing to pay up for them if they are not used.

Is there a huge benefit of using these needles over the plain old steel needles?? I have a few but don't really notice a big difference in the sound quality..

Was wondering if they are better for the record as far as degradation...

Blizz

I have brought several tins on E bay that supposedly had new needles in them but I found usually one or two are worn. Be careful of what you buy and inspect them closely. I have used them and could not find too much of a difference. My hearing is not A rated also. I keep them in the phonographs I display so if someone screws around with one and I am not home then they will not ruin the records. Tom

Tungs Tone needles can sound just fine, but since the source is finite I save mine for when I am playing a multi-disc set and don't want to take time for a needle change.