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Cartridge/Phono-Pre Break-in?

I just installed a new Audio-Technica 150MLX cartridge and Cambridge 640p phono-pre in my second system (SL1200 table, Nuforce Icon amp, Gallo speakers), and after two days it sounds about like an AM radio...no highs, no dynamics. Computer audio playback sounds quite fine. I thought I might have a poor cartridge wire connection (suckers were tough to install without breaking them) but there's no hum or distortion. Does this happen? Do either of these pieces change dramatically with break-in?

Thanks for any guidance.

Jeff
jmudrick
mnmark
57 posts
 
Jmudrick,
I have an Audio-Technica 150MLX, and it is a pretty high compliance cartridge. As such, it should be used with a low mass tonearm. Low mass is not the same thing as adjusting the tracking force lighter. As I recall, it sounded very good out of the box, but improved a bit after 10-20 hours were on it. I am using mine with an Infinity Black Widow which is a very low mass tonearm, and I like it a lot.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,492 posts
 
If Shure made them from steel, there would be a problem. I have 2 Shure scales. One I've never used...just got it as a "bonus" when I got the 10.5i arm a couple of months ago. I checked that one with a magnet and my old one that I got about 1956 or so, and they both don't respond to the pull of a magnet. The new one looks like aluminum.. the old one looks like steel, but as I said it isn't magnetically sensitive.
jmudrick OP
12 posts
 
Knumbskull calling. Rlwainwright was on the right track. It was the most obvious thing -- I had the damn thing plugged into the MC rather than the MM jack of the 640p. Duh. Should have been the first thing I checked. Well thanks everyone for your suggestions. Sounds fine now. I did order a Shure gauge and will see if there's any discrepancy of siginficance from the manual setup (initially at 1.25).
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,492 posts
 
Jmurick..When you get your Sure scale, I found it very accurate if you position it on your turntable platter so that the front (right side when looking at the mirror) 2 feet are hanging off of the edge of the platter, then follow the normal directions.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,112 posts
 
Dear Stringreen: Doug is right about the Shure VTF gauge: I don't know when but Shure build some units that were magnetical active.

I like you are lucky because ( I own two too ) the ones that I own are right on target but there are others out there that there are not, the subject is: how can we know it before buy it?

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
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