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Inner Tracks Sound Raspy

Thought I'd try vinyl again. I have close to 100 old LPs from the 70s and 80s that I purchased when I was first became involved with high-end stereo. Admittedly, some of the old platters are in better shape than the others.

So . . ., to get started again, I wanted to start out slowly. I bought a refurbished Thorens TD 160 w/ stock TP 16 tone arm, which included a Grado Sonata cartridge. My first reaction, quite frankly, was surprise. I hope this is not audiophile heresy, but my old vinyl sounds better than my CDs.

But I do have a problem with the vinyl playback. It seems that the pick-up on the inner record tracks is a little raspy and distorted, especially when playing complex music such as orchestral.

The TT and arm appear to be working just fine. I double checked and reset VTF. VTA looks ok too. I also went on Vinyl Engine and checked cartridge compliance and I think the Sonata is ok with the Thorens tone arm. Finally, I increased anti-skating force and that seemed to help somewhat, but the problem continues to persist.

My question to my fellow A'goners is whether this is normal in the case of vinyl or is something else at play here?

Associated equipment is ARC PH-7 (phono pre); ARC Ref 3 (line stage) and ARC VS 115 (amp).

Thanks for the advice.
bifwynne
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
Sounds like God is telling you to upgrade...
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
David256 & Syntax: Thanks for the advice. I tried increasing stylus weight by .25 gm. That helped a bit. But I think Syntax may be right -- time to stop nursing the Thorens along and get a new TT and arm.
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
Don't be fooled by Syntax's sarcasm. ;-) What you are describing is the classic definition of mis-tracking due to improper alignment. Listen to Macd and Audiofeil. You need to learn to do this correctly yourself, or find someone local to you that can do it. It is surprising how "off" one can be and still get good sound.
davide256's avatar
davide256
398 posts
 
VTA is basically stylus geometry, groove tilt. Its importance is determined by complexity of stylus shape...a simple elliptical like the Grado signature only has to be approximately right. Other more complex shapes become critical because the actual stylus playing edge is shaped/directional. VTA doesn't care where you are on the record circumference.

Alignment is basically trying to get the stylus parallel to the groove to the best approximation possible. I say approximation because with a round record and pivoting arm you will start to deviate slightly as soon as you leave your measurement point. If alignment is badly off stereo imaging is compromised because you read one channel ahead of the other.

None of these generate tracking distortion, only loss of musical detail.

Its entirely possible that all that is needed is a record weight or clamp to insure tight contact between record and matt because the record label height is causing space and vinyl resonance thats damped further away from the label. If the matt itself has no concavity for the record label area a better mat should be purchased.
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Thanks Davide256: Your advice is helpful for all A'gon members who own turntables.

As far as VTA is concerned, based on the posts above, I will need to purchase a protractor. Where's the best place to get one??

Regarding alignment, I take your point about a round record and pivoting arm. How do I check and adjust alignment? Because I'm dealing with a stock arm, I assume the only adjustment I can make is moving the cartridge backward or forward in the mounting shell.

Finally, the mat and record clamp are great suggestions. Again, where's the best place to pick up that stuff? BTW, if the record clamp is heavy, I surmise that the extra weight could prematurely wear the TT platter bearing. Do you agree?

Thanks again. BIF
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