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analog gurus, please help, cartridge too light?

dear gurus, i recently purchased a rega p25 tt with the rb600 arm. the tt was also purchased with a benz micro mc20e2 cartridge which i understand later is a very light cartridge with a weight of 4 grams total. my problem is that i cannot get the arm to balance even with the counterweight all the way forward and tracking force and the antiskate setting to zero. the arm still goes up quite a bit. should i change to a heavier cartridge? i am hoping not as i already paid for this one with the understanding that this cartridge is compatible with this arm. should i just set the tracking force and antiskate to zero and just use a stylus gauge and set the tracking to 2 grams as recommended? i read somewhere that the rega arm can be set to the max tracking to relieve some spring inside and then adjust the tracking force by the stylus gauge?with my setup right now, is the expressimo heavyweight out of the question? thanks for any comments. yes, i am a newbie. curtis.
curtis
twl
3,251 posts
 
I agree with Sean, this seems wierd, but first make sure the turntable is correctly leveled. Just increasing the tracking force to compensate is not the proper way to address the probem, since the static balance of the tonearm will not be correct. Now that I think about it, check to see if your counterweight is put on facing the right way. Most weights have a bevelled edge on them that faces front, and you could have it on backwards. Also, check that the cartridge is correctly mounted, using an alignment guage. The cartridge may be mounted too far back in the headshell, and if you can move it forward, it may balance. If you have to increase mass, try using tungsten cartridge mounting screws(sorry, don't know where to get them), as this is less likely to affect the sound than tonearm wraps(unless you need a tonearm wrap). Also, there are headshell weight shims that bolt between the cartridge and headshell, and will require a VTA adjustment. If all fails, contact the mfr.
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,541 posts
 
Other than the above, it may have the "wrong" counter balance on the arm.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
I'm affraid that Tungsten mounting screws will not help this situation. Even if you will rich the balance you less-likely will be able to set up the tracking force. As far as I konw Rega arms have extra room so you can mount your cartridge at the very edge and still have some holes left behind vacant. So all it takes for you is to mount the bolts and nuts(maybe only temporarily 'till you get something recommended by manufacturer)of an appropriate size and necessary weight before mounting the cartridge.
scon90
46 posts
 
Why don't you just tape a penny on top of the cartridge?
curtis OP
10 posts
 
dear gurus, thanks for the comments so far. i am hesistant to add weight on the tonearm just to get this thing balance. taping a penny to the headshell came to my mind but i was a little apprehensive about stability. i have to admit i bought the table and cartridge from a non-rega dealer and so far he has not been too helpful. the counterweight is in the right direction and it is the lightest counterweight tha rega makes to the best of my knowledge. i guess i need to contact rega-laureman audio to get further directions. i thank all those that replied. does anybody has the email address for: laurerman audio? thanks, curtis.
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