???Cartridge break in???

I suggest that 50 hours is about right for most modern cartridges. Sorry but that's the way it goes. Also VTA comments are right on.

I suggest this, make certain that the cartrige is parallel in ALL axis to the vinyl surface. I.e. asmiath (I know it's not spelled right. That is head shell adjustment so the cartrige i parallel, you can rotate it a bit. Use a mirror to assure alignment, then for VTA start with the arm tube parallel to the record. I suggest that you try moving down just a hair and listen. If thats not it go a little the other way. It will lock in the soundstage when it's right. Also listen for surface noise. Back end of the cartridge down will lessen surface noise and make for a slightly darker duller sound when you've gone too far. On the other end when it's too high it will sound shrill and surface noise will be very evident. Assuming your records are in good shape. A bad record is a bad record.

If you don't have VTA adjustment, then shim the base of the arm. Get a shim pack. It's a pain but worth it.

jeff

I have a Goldring Erioca MC that took a really long time to break in. I bet I loged in over 100 hours before I was happy with the sound. The bass got progressively tighter and lower while the highs smoothed out. Also, I feel that the sounds gets better after the first 20 minutes of each listening session (suspension warms up).

Hello Mythtrip:

Welcome to the wonderful world of analog. All of the above suggestions are good, the tips are excellent, and with some variations they will improve your system.

VTA for instance, I have two arms and both manufacturers recommend horizontal VTA, meaning the arm is parallel to the record surface (level the TT first!). However, after much adjusting I have found that both sound better slightly tipped back (low on the pivot end), but neither arm is at the same height.

Break-in on my Dynavector 17D-II Karat was somewhere between 50 and 80 hrs. The improvement was noticable after about 50 hrs., and seemed to be completely settled in at about 80.

Another variable is the tracking pressure, one arm sounds best at 2.2 grams (RB 600), the other at about 1.8-9 grams (SME 3012-R). Go figure!

If all else fails, and I find myself getting too anal, tequila is the best overall tweak.

Best regards,

Dave

Dave a joint and a beer are better I've heard.

If the cart is ''tuned'' by the maker how does he know how the
cart will sound after , say, 40 or 80 hours of use? 
Or, rather, if the cart is tuned than the cart should sound as
tuned without any need for ''break in''.  According to me
'break in'' is a kind of wishful thinking (grin).