Benz LPS Sounds Bad, Very Bad at 45 RPM

I have the LP-S and have used it on two different turntables and two different arms and no issue going from 33 1/3 to 45rpms. Is tracking force, azimuth, etc set correctly? Faster speed may exacerbate some of those settings if incorrect?

Its hard to believe its the cartridge...I simply LOVE that one. What arm? Check and double check your setup

Dear Davidriggs: If the overall cartridge set up is right the IMHO what you are hearing seems to me a problem with cartridge traking distortion.

45 RPM puts higher demands ( over 33 rpm LPs. ) on any tonearm/cartridge combination but on my experiences not so hard to have the trouble you have. So could be that the cartridge suspension is in trouble or that in your analog rig the tonearm/cartridge combination is not well matched.

To be sure maybe you have to mount the cartridge in other tonearm and run the same recordings in your system and see what happen.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

send it to me for verification :) of the issue....

I believe you might be experiencing some VTA or tracking force issue, related to the thicker 45RPM LP's. My first Benz seemed to be senstitive to the changes of LP thickness. I remember reading about Fremer's DIY trick about changing VTF when using a thicker LP to overcome VTA issues. It might work or not, it did for me. I have sinced upgraded to the LP S and have not any issues regarding distortion or tracking. I use an SME V arm and track at 1.8 grams. I aligned with the SME arm guide and the Mobile Fidelity protractor.
Good luck.

Ciao,
Audioquest4life