2. analog
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Analog Help Please

I have been getting quite a bit of mistracking at the beginning of many of my Lp's just recently. Bought them used, and I am wondering if it is because they are wore out?

I am wondering though if it is something to do with my cartridge/VTF/VTA. I even realigned my cart today with no improvement. I increased VTF with no success. It seems like this problem has been happening more and more and sometimes even on Lp's that it never happened to before.

Please note that by the second song or so, the mistracking noise is generally gone completely and everything is fine.
I've visually inspected the cantilever and needle, they seem fine as far as I can tell. I've cleaned mu Lp's thoroughly.
I've played around some with antiskating to no avail.

One thing I have not done is lower VTF. Maybe? Then again I am not even sure if the sound I hear is mistracking. I can only describe it as a "flutter" or "shutter" evey revolution at a certian place in the Lp.

I just tested an Lp that is had never happened to before on and is is definately there. here's a funny thing though. The "mistracking happend last night on one Lp. So I put another on. No mistracking sound. So I put the previous one on and the mistracking sound was gone. What's up with that? The sound did not appear the rest of the evening but has been present all day today. Bummer.

Any suggestions. I'm stumped.

The arm is triplanar, the cart is ZYX Atmos, proabably 40 or so hours on it.
mariasplunge
docsavage
109 posts
 
The Tri-Planar arm has an adjustment for where the anti-skate starts to take effect. There is a small mono-filament line which is connected to the anti skate arm. This line can be adjusted so the anti skate takes effect as soon as the arm is lowered. If out of adjustment it could cause your problem. Start with 0 anti skate and when the arm is lowered check for slack in the mono line. If adjusted correctly there should be no slack in the line when the arm is first lowered. There is a small set screw which allows tension adjustment of the mono line. It is a bit tricky but not difficult.
Many Tri planar users have removed the dampening trough altogether. I have never needed additional dampening with my Tri planar Universe combination.
You have a great match between the ZYX and the Tri planar.
markd51
763 posts
 
Yes, Mehran, the dealer for the Cart may be of help.
Only other thing that comes to my mind, is a possible slight bind, or some slight resistance in the Triplanar's bearings? How hard would this be to check?

After reading Doug's "tips and tricks" on this Arm, it sounds quite sophisticated, and complicated as well. Odd though how you say it's noticeable on a particular spot of the LP as well?

It's hard for me to suggest you playing your most treasured LPs to see if this problem exists as well with them, as if there is some mechanical issue (Stylus-Tonearm) I sure wouldn't want to see you damage this vinyl in a "sacrifice" test. Mark
mariasplunge OP
174 posts
 
Thanks for the info gentleman. Always appreciated. One thing I noticed, and I have not had a chance to play around today, is that volume made a difference. Right now I know my TT is insufficiently isolated, I can jump on the floor and have the needle mistrack lightly. Plus my speakers, for the time being are maybe 5 inches feom my table. I will be getting a rack soon that will move the TT well away from my speakers as well as provide better isolation and dampening.

But here's what happened. When I had the volume set high, and i dropped the needle, set the mute switch to operate, the "mistracking would occur. When I lowered the volume some, did the same process, no mistracking. Then I would turn the volume up to the desired level and no mistracking.

I did this expereiment based on watching the needle through a mag glass and seeing it mistrack with certian responses with the speaker.

Has anybody else ever experienced this? I certinaly will invetigate further the point where AS engages as well because I am assuming, I should be able to drop the needle at any volume i like?

Again, thanks for the help.
acoustat6
357 posts
 
Mariasplunge said " because I am assuming, I should be able to drop the needle at any volume i like?"

I say that no you should not be able to "drop the needle" at any volume you like. Properly adjusted a "hi-fi" system will not like a needle drop or a "needle pick-up" either. There is a lot of energy being produced when you do this, much more so than the recorded LP dynamics. I do believe that at the correct playback level this may be a problem because of this. Your system should be able to handle the dynamics in anything but the most severe needle drop or abuse at your systems capabilities however.
Bob
markd51
763 posts
 
Tough to evaluate, but I will comment a big "no" on your last sentence. Unless you are saying that with your system "muted" it still mistracks? Tough to understand your last post, can you elaborate better please?

Without better isolation, I doubt it would make a difference if the Turntable is all the way across the room if your system throws enough SPL's. Do you have Headphones? Try playing as loud as you like, or at different volumes through the Phones.

This will at least eliminate any acoustical interference.

My System is nowhere near as expensive as yours, just a measly VPI HW-19 MK-IV, with AQ Arm, Ruby 3 Cartridge, etc, but running two Mac Amps, four JBL Speakers, and a Sunfire MK-IV Sub to boot, I know I can have that Stylus fly off the record as if I dropped a brick on the Table, with such wake the dead volume. lol
Mark
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