Ortofon STM-72 + Weller WTCPS repair + Hakko FX-888D

One morning, I discovered the right channel of my Ortofon STM-72 was dead. While waiting for the Weller WTCPS soldering station to heat up, I carefully peeled the foilcal to pull apart the 2-piece tubular housing so I can resolder the broken cable connection(s). 

After a couple of minutes the Weller's tip was still as cold as room temp. Sure enough, the heating element retired without giving any notice. This is probably the third or fourth element I've installed since I started using it in the Angela Instruments work bench 30-some years ago.

To compound matters, it was out of stock at the Amazon store. Did I really want to wait?

Since I had other projects lined up and encouraged by Amazon points saved by Tish, I decided to splurge on a brand new Hakko FX-888D, which would be at our doorstep the next day.

The solder pads (red arrow) are where the cable connection typically breaks. Proper adjustment of the cable strain relief (blue arrow) should prevent future cable disconnection.

After completing a few more projects, the replacement EC234 heating element arrived.

 Fortunately, I had a newer BA60 barrel nut in my parts bin because the original barrel nut didn't fit. The WTCPS is back in service, albeit, as a backup to the Hakko FX-888D soldering station.👏

Back to the Ortofon...

Anatomy of the STM-72

As warm as Ike Quebec's tenor sax is a fitting description of how this MC step-up transformer sounds. If I'm deciphering it right, it's also echoed in the translation of the Stereo Sound article pictured above. 

This MC step-up device is definitely NOT for audiophiles who analyze the minutest resolution of detail in the soundstage!

 However, for those who love music, the Ortofon STM-72 complements the classic SPU or an ultra low output moving coil cartridge like the Fidelity Research FR1 MkII. It may even be the antidote to harsh sounding low Z/low output MC cartridges. That's IF, it can be acquired in the $150 price range. Beyond that, go for an Altec 4722 (or maybe the Cinemag equivalent?), which offers two levels of gain (1:18 + 1:36), wider bandwidth + better overall sound, IMHO!

It's perplexing that along with the Sony HA-T10, sellers are asking too much money for these entry-level MC transformers when both are pretty common. What gives?🤔