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VTF issues

Hello everyone,
I am having trouble with my tonearm vtf staying stable. It will fluctuate as much as a 1/2 gram just picking it up and setting it back on the meter. It never measures the same twice. I have 3 different vtf gauges. 2 digital and one Shure and they measure the same thing.

I believe it has to do with the adjustment knob on the tonearm. it is very sensitive. It can take up to 30 minutes to get the right reading. The tonearm is the Ortofon RS 212 D.

I just recently purchased the Lyra Kleos. It has a light vtf and the manufacture warns against over loading it. While listening last night the cart started bottoming out. When I measured the tracking force it had gained a full gram.

Is this sensitivity normal or could there be something wrong with the tonearm.

Matt
mwilliams
mwilliams OP
47 posts
 
Spoke with ortofon today. basically they said that the tonearm was just out of warranty and that I was s*#t out of luck. Another good reason to buy American.

May try to clean them myself and see if it will fix it. Can't break something that is already a piece of junk. although I have a couple of there carts. They will no longer receive anymore of my purchases. As if they care.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
Well, Marketing and Reality can show differences....

The Ortofon RS-212D tonearm takes analog sound reproduction to a higher level with highly configurable VTF options and a dynamic balance system for increased stability when tracking warps and other anomalies


Probably you can try MM carts, they have some advantages :-)
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,483 posts
 
I have had too many experience with Ortofon ....bent sylii on a brand new cartridge in the package, etc.
lewm
13,276 posts
 
Mwilliams, There are guys who can repair tonearms with problems such as the one you describe. My guess is that there is something amiss with the dynamic balance system. On Vinyl Asylum, you could try Jim Howard, who posts as "Tubesforever" (or something like that). Also, the late Bill Berdan used to repair tonearms, and I think his son has taken over the business, or in any case the business still exists. They have a website, under Berdan. I have never done business with either, but they are held in some regard by others. Also, it is possible that Sound Smith would look at your tonearm.
mwilliams OP
47 posts
 
That's good to know.

Thanks

Matt
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