First things first:

CEASE PLAYING RECORDS, PERIOD, until the cartridge is replaced.

I'd say to get another Rega cartridge, used off of Audiogon. There's always few floating around. Alignment would then be foolproof......we hope.

yep. they always show up. This one was there..now gone.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgcart&1225209251&/Rega-Elys-1-phono-cartridge

Hmm... I wonder if you could just repair the Exact? The Exact is a fine cartridge (retails well over $500), and if you could repair it, you'd be better off than spending $200 on a new one. Can anyone else chime in on this point? I'm pretty sure the Rega stylus is not replaceable, but maybe there is another way.

Otherwise, check out www.needledoctor.com for some fun perusing. You might want to look into the Rega Elys 2 or Bias 2 for your price range. Other standard all-around suggestions around that price are the Shure M97XE, Sumiko Blue Point No. 2, and the Goldring 2100.

(I've been looking at getting a new cart recently as well, so this comes from what I've been reading).

EDIT: Oh, and absolutely don't play another record until it is replaced or you're 100% sure it's fully repaired.

The Denon 103 seems to be very well respected and is available new on ebay for like $170

Quote:
Hmm... I wonder if you could just repair the Exact? The Exact is a fine cartridge (retails well over $500), and if you could repair it, you'd be better off than spending $200 on a new one. Can anyone else chime in on this point? I'm pretty sure the Rega stylus is not replaceable, but maybe there is another way.

Otherwise, check out www.needledoctor.com for some fun perusing. You might want to look into the Rega Elys 2 or Bias 2 for your price range. Other standard all-around suggestions around that price are the Shure M97XE, Sumiko Blue Point No. 2, and the Goldring 2100.

(I've been looking at getting a new cart recently as well, so this comes from what I've been reading).

EDIT: Oh, and absolutely don't play another record until it is replaced or you're 100% sure it's fully repaired.

What he said!

Check with Soundsmith and see what your options may be:

Soundsmith

Good - I'd really try to stick with the Exact, if it is repairable.

If I were you (granted - I'm impatient), I'd pick up a good $50 cart while you get it sorted out, if it is going to take some time. That way you can listen to your records, and you'll have something to compare (and can report back to us). You'll also get practice aligning and if you break it...well, better that than the Exact or something else. Just a thought.