Quandry


About a year ago I bought a new turntable (Dr. Feikert Volare) and complementary equipment. I had it assembled by a local technician as I have two left thumbs when it comes to DIY. (I know this is not a good trait for a turntable owner to have.)
I’ve been dissatisfied with the sound for some time. But I recently discovered that by tweaking the anti-skating, the sound improved dramatically. I’m now wondering what other parameters have changed during the past year.
So, not being able to tweak those other parameters myself I’m thinking of hiring the technician to come to my home to work on it. Since it sounds so good now, I’m wondering if it’s worth the expense. (He won’t be cheap.)

128x128rvpiano

Mahler, as another physician, I don’t disagree with the message of your anecdote as it applies to sub specialists in medicine, but I don’t think the analogy to the OP’s situation is a good one. The OP is not in contact with any competent audio generalist at present and has no basic skills in the hobby. He needs an audio doctor, as a first visit to set hm on the right path.

HELLO RVPIANO! If you haven't changed anything since changing the anit-skate, be happy!  The anti skate puts a force on the arm to counter the momentum of the arm being pulled toward the spindle by the steady presure from the spiralling groove. Any serious error can put your delicate stylus into a bad position in reation to the cartridge body. The proof of this is the impprovement you heard. Stylus pressure cannot make that kind of difference unless it is HUGELY too light (you'll hear the stylus rattle in the groove) or too heavy (the arm will noticably "sag" whtn the stylun is lowered into the groove). Here's how to spot a serious alingment problem: Take a known record you expect to give you really great sound. Play the outer band. Compare this with the spound from the innermost band (track, set of grooves). Is there a serious difference? (Be sure to use a record that has inner bands that get close to the label.) How do these compare with the sound from the middle bands? If there are clear differences, then you have an alignment problem. For tracking angle checks. Find a record that sounds great: put two other records under it and listen again. Hear a big difference? Fancy stylus shapes can be very fussy here. Conical styli cartridges are not very fussy at all. If you hear a big difference (you should), which is better? If the elevated record sounds better, you have an vertical angle tracking problem. Nothing will blow up if you fiddle with various adjustments. Often tracking at the highest recommended force will cure a lot of problems. Be sure the little connectors on the pins of the cartridge are very snug. Everything should be clean and shiny.

If your hands shake a bit (as many do), leave it to the pros (or a really sharp kid from the record shop)! Happy listening!

I’m so happy with the sound of my records now that I see no need for any further adjustment.

@lewm 

really?  See the OPs last post?  Why does he need a house call from an “audio doctor “ who will upset his Feng Shui?