Tracking Troubles--Upgrade or Setup?

Chasmal,

A sporadic problem like this points to the need for a holistic approach, first ruling out something further down the chain, like a driver or preamp tube, oxidized RCA connector or bad voice coil. If everything is fine with line-level/CD playback (meaning no noticeable distortions or problems), then move on to the LP chain.

Doug's responses regarding phono chain diagnosis are spot on. My only comment would be that if one uses a cartridge with a somewhat exotic stylus profile, (like the Dorian), alignment becomes extremely crucial. Check, double check and check again. Remember, not all protractors are created equal, and you may have difficulties trying to implement a Baerwald alignment on a Rega, which favors a Stephenson alignment. Also, since you're using an LP12, I would recheck your arm cable dressing through the P-clip. Any hang or drag on the arm cable will cause grief, and can certainly result in the type of distortions you are hearing. The Linn can be funny that way...while you're at it, double check suspension set-up and make sure the platter is level.

-Richard

"Not all protractors are created equal, and you may have difficulties trying to implement a Baerwald alignment on a Rega, which favors a Stephenson alignment. Also, since you're using an LP12, I would recheck your arm cable dressing through the P-clip. Any hang or drag on the arm cable will cause grief"

Thank you sir, but I really cannot understand what you have said. Thus the need to pay a professional.

G'day, interesting one. More and more I'm coming to the opinion that poor overhang set-up is the main reason for all manner of perceived vinyl playback issues. It took me years (about 20?!), to properly work out the intricacies of the Baerwald two point gauge, so I'm not surprised if people 'get it wrong', as I did too!

This reference is excellent, in particular getting the cartridge properly centred at each null point.
http://www.theanalogdept.com/2_pt_align.htm Regards,fscerri.

Chashmal,

First, let's learn some jargon so we can confuse each other in the same language.

"VTF" = Vertical Tracking Force, sometimes referred to as just "tracking force" or "downforce". It's what you meant by "tracking weight" (though scientists/engineers would correct your use of the word "weight", since that's technically inaccurate).

Whoever told you Rega doesn't "honor" antiskating is clueless. Every Rega tonearm includes an antiskating adjustment. Your Rega manual, using British terminology, calls it a "bias" or "anti-bias" adjustment but it's the same thing. On an RB-300 it's adjusted by sliding a small button along a slot in an extension of the arm base (beneath the arm tube when the tube's in the arm rest). Toward the base increases antiskate, away from the arm base reduces it. Try various settings, from none to maximum.

Palasr added some valuable tips, but since much of this is new you do need to build a knowledge base or pay someone to do it for you. Most on this (and other) forums prefer/enjoy doing it themselves, and certainly that is the path to maximize performance. Vinyl playback is not plug and play, as you see. Neither is it set and forget. The perfomance of cartridges (especially) changes over time, with the weather, etc. If you rely on someone else to set up you're at the mercy of their schedule, not to mention their prices.

You can learn all this by reading and doing. There are many good sources online, including the FAQ's at Vinyl Asylum, Vinyl Engine, searching this board, etc. For an organized presentation in one place, consider Michael Fremer's DVD on vinyl setup, available from many online retailers. Well worth the time and investment if hours of online reading isn't your thing.

I feel the need to chime in here.

I recently have been pained by two cartridges and the whole time I thought it was my Thorens 145mkii.

The same cart you are using was giving me headaches for weeks. The M97xe had great reviews and was cheap so I purchased it. The first 2 songs always played great. But once it hit those inner grooves, it turned distorted and nasty real quick.
I did everything short of a new tonearm. {Until yesterday I was looking around for a new arm!}
Different protractors, different VTA, anti-skate this anti-skate that! But nothing worked. Still the same results.
So I get upset and put on my Grado Black. A smile on my face. It sounds great! Until.......the 3rd song in on Coldplay's "Rush of Blood..." and whammo. Same thing! So now I am thinking its the turntable. Somethings wrong.

I have read countless pages on tweeking and setting up turntable. Done tons of different setups to my Thorens, I am sure its getting pissy at me! And then yesterday came.

I was so upset I couldn't listen to a whole side of an album I did something I never thought I would do.

When I purchased the Thorens the guy gave me 3 carts. All Audio-Technica older carts. I did minor research on them and they were still selling for $30. So in my head these were know way going to beat out the Shure and the Grado. But I was at a crossroads. New arm or plunk down for an expensive cart, in my head thats what was wrong.

I put on the Audio-Technica At90e. To my smiling face it played all the way through. Not one side but the whole album! The whole thing. I kept waiting and waiting for some distortion. Nope. Music is all I heard. I freakin' flipped.

I tried 180 gram albums, I tried old 1960 Sinatra albums, I tried old punk albums....they all played. And sounded great too! I read all the reviews on the AT carts {none on this particular cart} and they all say great things about the tracking. I'm a believer. Audio-Technica has a new life member.

This is not to say that this will sove your problems, but at $30 give it a shot.

I dont know if these are bad carts {shure and grado} or if this is what is meant by the cart is not right for this arm {TP63 wand and TP 16II arm.}

But I am really happy I found something that works.

If your still reading my ramble...thanks!

db