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Cat jumped on turntable

OK, I know the obvious response about this but moving past ditching the cat . . . I was playing my VPI Scout 'table with a Dynavector Karat cartridge when the cat (Jack) leaped onto the 'table.  The tone arm slide across the record and the platter stopped.  After addressing the situation, I didn't see any obvious problems (but I have an untrained eye) and dropped the needle.  The tone arm immediately slide across the record to the center.  Upon reflection, it seemed like the tone arm was light since it moved pretty effortlessly.  Before taking it, I thought I would solicit some thoughts here.
scarlson
drastic's avatar
drastic
18 posts
 
Don't feel badly.  This is one of the facts of life with a turntable.
This year I snapped the cantilever right off, when my finger bumped it during fine tuning adjustments to make the sound better.  Ha!  My dealer is a gentle soul who took pity, and came over to install a replacement (repair would have been nearly as expensive as a new one).  It sounds better than the old one, but that turned into an expensive tweak.
Also, never dust under the tonearm because s*** happens and if the dustcloth catches the needle, it's done for.
drbarney1's avatar
drbarney1
179 posts
 
I would modify the way the turntable is placed, having an enclosure to protect it from a cat who could not understand this mechanics.

bpoletti
1,553 posts
 
@scarlson - 

The problem has nothing to do with your turntable, arm or cartridge.  It's the cat that needs replacement.  I suggest a gold fish or a statue of a dog in the form of "His Master's Voice" that can be placed in front of one of your speakers.  
s2000cr
34 posts
 
Yes on no stylus. 

Don't ditch the cat. That's too light of a punishment. Send kitty to permanent cat hell. Get a smart or assertive dog. 
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
" Get a smart or assertive dog"
Do they make those? 
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