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Tracking error distortion audibility

I recently unpacked my turntable from a couple of years of storage. It still sounds very good. Several times during playback of the first few albums I literally jumped from my chair to see which track was playing as it sounded so great. After a while I realized the "great" sound was always at one of the "null" points. They seem to occur at the approximately the proper place (about 125mm from spindle) and near the lead out groove. Questions:
Is this common? I have improved the resolution of my system since the table's been in storage but I don't remember hearing this before.
All others geometric sources of alignment error not defined by the null points (VTA, azimuth etc.) are essentially constant through out the arc correct? If so they should cancel out. I assume the remedy is a linear tracking arm but I am surprised at how obviously better the sound is at these two points.
Table - AR ES-1, Arm - Sumiko MMT, Cart. - Benz Glider, Pre - Audible Illusions, Speakers - Innersound electrostatic hybrid
Do linear arms really sound as good across the whole record as I hear at only the nulls with my set-up?
feathed
jwglista
206 posts
 
I think inner groove distortion is very common. I recently went nuts trying to align my cart perfectly (Clearaudio Virtuoso). I confirmed using Baerwald and "Lofgren B" that my alignment was spot on. Some say that increasing tracking force can help eliminate the inner groove distortion, but until I receive my new digital stylus force gauge, I have no idea what I'm actually tracking at.

A lot of albums I have appear to have inner groove *damage*. It must have been caused by a setup that was incorrect by the previous owner of the album. Obviously there's nothing you can do in that case except buy a new copy. But even on my new albums, in grooves that are very close to the center of the record, I often hear a diminished quality of sound, and sometimes I notice sibilance which is very loud. All I can hope for is that this is not damaging my albums because my setup is practically perfect; one person even suggested that I try another cart (even though the Virtuoso is already a $875 cart...hardly an "entry level" cart).
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Sounds like an alignment, not software, problem.

The chance of that many records being damaged is very small when compared to the chance of a single misalignment.
jwglista
206 posts
 
Audiofeil: I know you're in the business, but you are not going to be able to persuade me to buy one of your expensive protractors :-)

I've used several alignment charts/printouts, and all indicate that my alignment is dead on, as well as overhang.

Feathed: Does your alignment chart provide an arc to help you adjust the overhang? You can try using the cartridge alignment program on this page: http://www.conradhoffman.com/chsw.htm

Those who are in the business to sell expensive protractors/alignment tools may tell you that an alignment chart printed on a piece of paper can, in no way, compare to a professionally made device. I have faith that the printouts I made from that application are accurate. You'll have to obtain the spindle to pivot distance for your tonearm (I got mine from Clearaudio's website). One note, make sure you measure the 20 mm reference distance on the printout for the X and Y axis. You may have to adjust the X/Y "Printer Correction Factor". You can at least give this a shot before choosing to buy anything.
jwglista
206 posts
 
Oh and one other thing to note. The quality of the paper you print on does matter. I printed on standard copy paper, and certain environmental factors (humidity) can cause the paper to change shape ever so slightly. It's best to use thick, heavy photo paper if possible.

Sure, things like that help the argument that a real protractor/alignment tool is superior; I don't doubt that they are. If I was ok with spending the extra money, I'd probably say forget this and just buy a MintLP or something just to have that peace of mind. If you aren't the type of person that wants to be bothered with making printouts and such, then a professional tool would definitely help you.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
RE: "Expensive" arc protractors- the $100 Mint has been demonstrated to my ears and many others, to provide big improvement in "dead nuts on" aligned rigs. One major advantage of a mirror-tractor over a paper protractor is parallax correction. Second advantage is very fine alignment grid which inkjet on paper cannot provide. Third is arm/table specific alignment (the mint anyways). Not saying that is your problem but even very anal and very technically proficient analog masters have found the mint at least to be very helpful. And you won't have to wait months/years like w another custom arc-tractor maker.

Also, have you tried playing w anti-skate?
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