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Is there a problem with my Lyra Delos cartridge?

Last March I upgraded from a Grado Platinum to a Lyra Delos cartridge which was installed by Analogique in Manhattan.My turntable is a VPI HW-19 MK-3 with an Audioquest PT-6 tonearm.After about 120 hours of use I have been getting distortion on certain lps.For example:Last night I wanted to hear Moment's Notice from Coltrane's Blue Train lp(180 gram).This is the second track on side one.So I drop the needle on track two and sound starts distorting at about the 7 minute mark(track is 9:09 minutes),I lift up the needle then lower it onto the lp again and it plays fine.This is not happening on every lp but it is happening quite often.I am tracking at 1.8 which is the Lyra recommendation.I switched phonostages but that does not seem to be the problem.I also put on a new belt but problem persists. Help!!!
montgomery
almandog
141 posts
 
Montgomery,

I would say you should check the stylus raking angle (SRA). I was getting distortion from my LP and I experimented with the SRA and solve the problem. In some your tracking force could also be the problem, as other have pointed out. To little tracking force will cause the tone arm to jump around. So check that first then the SRA.
montgomery OP
29 posts
 
I moved the tracking force up from 1.6 to 1.8 thinking this might be the problem. No problems ever with tonearm jumping around.I am not very good at tweaking things myself.Is there a easy way to check SRA? Last year at this time I took the turntable into the shop to have what turned out to be a short in the interconnect wires fixed and believe me the repairs were not cheap. So I have had problems in the past with this turntable and do not want to spend anymore money having it fixed and that is why I am thinking about moving up to the VPI Classic One. Thanks
montgomery OP
29 posts
 
I lowered the tracking to about 1.7 grams and listened to records for a couple of hours with no distortion problems until I played a 180g lp.I put on the Coltrane which I had distortion issues before and this time it started distorting in about the same spot but the sound was normal again in a few seconds.Does this mean that I should track a little lower for thicker lps? Never had this problem with the Grado it replaced.I appreciate the advice.
moonglum
619 posts
 
Hi Montgomery...sorry to hear that this problem is still giving you headaches.
There is a clue in the manual for checking SRA on the Delos : If you look at the cart from the side during play, the stylus should appear to be, under ideal VTF conditions, at right angles to the cartridge face?
Even a 1 degree error would be noticeable just by looking at it with a large loup.

Although you don't want to involve the Dealer it might be your best course to ask them to inspect? BTW If you don't have one already it might be worth acquiring a modestly priced digital downforce gauge. These are invaluable even if you have an arm which is calibrated - at least it enables confirmation of the VTF.
Hope this is helpful.
All the best....
jcarr
382 posts
 
Applying proper VTF should result in the cantilever assuming a 90-degree angle in relation to the red front magnet carrier.

My recommendation for Montgomery is to isolate whether the tonearm or cartridge is at fault by having the Delos installed (accurately) in a different tonearm and seeing how it performs.

hth, jonathan
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