Best vinyl tracks to diagnose setup issues?

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by ProfessorC1983, Jun 22, 2019.

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  1. ProfessorC1983

    ProfessorC1983 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Washington, DC
    I'm sure this has been asked before, but wasn't sure if it should go under Hardware or Music since it's kinda both. Basically I'm wondering what are the best vinyl tracks (music, not an actual test LP) for diagnosing issues and tweaking stuff like alignment, VTA, anti-skate etc.?

    I'm at the point where I think I've got my TT and system pretty dialed in but occasionally things just don't sound right, and especially with used vinyl I find myself constantly wondering if the distortion is in the LP or maybe I could tweak something to fix it.

    So I'd love to make some needledrops to post here for feedback, but what are the best albums or tracks to use? I'm thinking of current production pressings that can easily be bought new to eliminate record wear as a potential variable, and are known to be high quality recordings so y'all in-the-know folks could easily say "there shouldn't be sibilance there" or "wow your bass is light, get that tail down or try a new cart." Anything like that exist?
     
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  2. Leonthepro

    Leonthepro Skeptically Optimistic

    Location:
    Sweden
    I dont think there is a correct answer to this really. Just the music you are most familiar with.
    No matter how good I think a song might be for testing I would not recommend it to someone whos never heard it before as a means to identify if its played "correctly".

    I mostly use Dark Side of the Moon personally. Different pressings of it.

    But what I also want you to take from this is that there is no such thing as perfection with vinyl, even though we strive for it.
    Skating, SRA, VTA, these settings change constantly depending on what music you play. A good average is the best you can do, not a perfect playback of 1 particular groove. Which is why test LPs arnt as useful as some think by the way.

    Get the table leveled, VTF set and Azimuth as perfect as you can if your stylus is of exotic shape and get the rest in the ballpark and experiment a bit.
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2019
  3. George Blair

    George Blair Senior Member

    Location:
    Portland, OR
    I've come to realize that if occasionally things just don't sound right, it's not the set-up - it's the record. As long as most things play to expectations, don't try to chase the occasional dip in quality. Records are just not created equal.
     
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  4. Wes_in_va

    Wes_in_va Trying to live up to my dog’s expectations

    Location:
    Southwest VA
    The best way is to use a test record made just for the purpose. There are a bunch out there.
     
  5. Leonthepro

    Leonthepro Skeptically Optimistic

    Location:
    Sweden
    Caugh, first 2 posts caugh...
     
  6. thetman

    thetman Forum Resident

    Location:
    earth
    Even though I am very new to the vinyl world, I agree. Recently I have been buying & playing a lot of new vinyl. Everything sounds great so far on my new Technics 1200GR.
    I recently picked up the most recent Beatles 67-70 blue. I noticed immediately some sibilance on some of the songs that stood out. I was immediately worried that maybe its my setup. But I played some other new titles I got. Pink Floyd 25th Division Bell and Alice Cooper Welcome to my nightmare Rhino and they both sounded great. Since then everything else sounds fine. Leonthepro is correct, play what you are familiar with that you know sounds great for the test.
     
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  7. Leonthepro

    Leonthepro Skeptically Optimistic

    Location:
    Sweden
    Congrats on the 1200GR, great starter table.
    Can I ask what cart you have with that?
     
  8. Wes_in_va

    Wes_in_va Trying to live up to my dog’s expectations

    Location:
    Southwest VA
    Well, yeah, if I had actually read *all* the words I suppose maybe I would have seen that part...:doh:
     
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  9. jupiterboy

    jupiterboy Forum Residue

    Location:
    Buffalo, NY
    After I get a new cartridge aligned, I usually run it through the 4 torture tracks and work with the anitskate a bit. Now this is not the time or way to set antiskate, but it tells me something—will antiskate allow me to track the 3rd and 4rth track without asymmetrical distortion. If so, this is a good sign. I usually back off antiskate after this to an eyeball correct level, like about where I've got my tracking weight set.

    I then check channel balance, but I use a real-time VST plugin to do this. This gives me some impression if there is a notable mismatch in voltage between L and R. I next go to the azimuth test and have a general look at where this sits.

    If all this looks OK, I start listening knowing that the suspension is going to relax of the next hundred hours or so. Then I can go back and try and refine a bit and re-examine where I'm at with a suspension system that's more characteristic.
     
  10. thetman

    thetman Forum Resident

    Location:
    earth
    nothing too fancy- Ortofon 2M Blue.
     
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  11. Leonthepro

    Leonthepro Skeptically Optimistic

    Location:
    Sweden
    Its still a good neutral cart. I should mention for those interested in regards to the topic of the thread though, the stylus shape does matter when it comes to distortions, like sibilance.

    There are the 3 causes for sibilance given functioning gear and proper installation:

    Worn diamond - Easy way to check is to have a replacement on the ready.

    Demandingly recorded or engineered music - A finer stylus will produce a cleaner signal unless the recording is naturally sibilant.

    Worn grooves - A finer stylus can help, but you are pretty screwed here unless you can buy a nicer copy.

    So if sibilance, other distortions and record preservation is a big deal to you then I would suggest either the Bronze or the Black for Ortofon. Until then, enjoy!
     
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