RCA 45 RPM player

Hey, I stumbled onto this nifty forum on a 'net seach. Maybe someone here can help with this

A friend gave me an RCA model 8-EY-31 KE 45 RPM record player. When I first plugged it in there was no audio & the record changer didn't work. After some tinkering I got the changer working. I checked for loose wires (found none) and cleaned the volume & tone controls. It has one tube, RCA # 25L6GT, which seems to be working. The wires to the cartidge are intact as well. I do hear a slight hum when the amp warms up which gets louder when I touch the cartridge wires so I think the amp is OK. I'm strongly suspecting the cartridge is the problem. Unless there is another common audio problem with these things that I don't know about. Is there a way to test the cartridge to see if it's OK? And the follow up question is: where is the best place to get a replacement cartridge? It needs a new stylus anyway so I'm thinking a new cartridge wouldn't hurt but it may not solve the audio problem either. I went to Garage-A-Records.com but I'm not sure they have what I need.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

Im not real good with electric machines, but it sounds like a cartridge &/or grounding problem. I usually test my cartridges with a cord that has an RCA plug on one end, and plug it into my old video. If it buzz's its the cartridge, otherwise it will sound ok running your finger along the stylus. I don't plug it into the turntable inputs, because they usually need to be grounded there as well, and they buzz anyway.. It doesnt seem to matter through the video for some reason.

The crystal cartridges in those decay over time. They absorb moisture and quit working.

Your test confirms that the cartridge is the problem.

Be careful touching the cartridge wires. One side of the wiring is connected directly to the line cord.