M97xe / turntable set up now sounds bright

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by clear-capsule, Nov 9, 2019.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. clear-capsule

    clear-capsule Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Sarasota
    So I am recently doing some remodelling in the room where my stereo set up is. Once I finally got everything moved back to where it was, I am now noticing when playing records things sound very bright and shrill.

    I checked the cartridge placement and its aligned perfectly. Perhaps I somehow damaged the stylus when I was moving things around? Is there anything else that could possibly be causing this? I don't want to replace the stylus (which I realize is now a discontinued product) and then still have the same issue.

    I know my turntable isn't the greatest, but I havent had this issue before. This is sort of vague I realize, but do you guys have any ideas as to what might be causing this? Does a damaged stylus make things sound shrill?

    Thanks for all your help.
     
  2. 33na3rd

    33na3rd Forum Resident

    Location:
    SW Washington, USA
    Did you recheck your tracking force? Perhaps the counterweight moved when the table was moved?

    I understand your reluctance to getting a new stylus and having the same problem, but the 3rd party offerings from Jico or the Vividline from LP Gear are so much better than the original Shure styli that I've tried on my M97xe.

    I hope you get it sorted soon!
     
  3. vinylontubes

    vinylontubes Forum Resident

    Location:
    Katy, TX
    Did you try re-balancing the tonearm and resetting the VTF?
     
  4. clear-capsule

    clear-capsule Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Sarasota
    Yeah sorry I should have mentioned that. The tracking force is good.

    Ok I will go to LP Gear and take a look. Thanks!
     
    33na3rd likes this.
  5. action pact

    action pact Music Omnivore

    In what way was the room "remodeled?"
     
    OldSoul and Sterling1 like this.
  6. clear-capsule

    clear-capsule Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Sarasota
    Nothing serious, I put new base boards in and painted the whole room. So the dimensions of the room haven’t changed or anything.
     
  7. Sterling1

    Sterling1 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Louisville, KY
    If remodeling included carpet, tapestry and/or and drapery changes. there's your "brightness". Also, if speaker placement has changed and/or your listening position has changed there's your "brightness".
     
    wolfyboy3 likes this.
  8. clear-capsule

    clear-capsule Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Sarasota
    None of that though. You put “brightness” in quotes - perhaps it’s not brightness I don’t know, but it’s shrill as all get out. Where as I used to be able to crank it, now when I crank it it hurts my ears. My set up has always been a little “bright” but nothing like this
     
  9. stereoguy

    stereoguy Its Gotta Be True Stereo!

    Location:
    NYC
    do you have another cart that you can install and see?
     
  10. clear-capsule

    clear-capsule Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Sarasota
    Unfortunately no.
     
  11. 911s55

    911s55 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Wa state
    The last thing that cartridge should be referred to is bright. How old, how many hours on the stylus?

    Here is a very good upgrade replacement stylus, direct fit. Mexican made Shure Encore Series.
    Shure NE95ED stylus
     
    OldSoul and macster like this.
  12. patient_ot

    patient_ot Senior Member

    Location:
    USA
    Did you check it with a digital scale?

    Also, check that the stylus is fully inserted into the cartridge body.
     
    33na3rd likes this.
  13. 33na3rd

    33na3rd Forum Resident

    Location:
    SW Washington, USA
    When you moved your system, did you disconnect any of the speaker cables?

    Maybe the speakers got hooked up out of phase? That would kill the bass, making the highs sound brighter.

    Just throwing some things out there.
     
    Sterling1 and AnalogVinyl like this.
  14. Helom

    Helom Forum member

    Location:
    U.S.
    Make sure all your connections are solid. A loose tonearm cable or headshell wire can cause "shrillness." Also make sure the stylus is clean.

    If the room temp and/or humidity level has changed significantly since the remodel, that can play a role.

    You mentioned new paint. Is this new paint a gloss finish and the old was matte?
     
    33na3rd likes this.
  15. clear-capsule

    clear-capsule Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Sarasota
    I would say probably about 300 hours on it. Thanks for the replacement info
    Yeah I did but I just made sure all is hooked up properly with good connection and it is.
    All seems to be connected well. And the paint is matte.

    Thanks for all the help guys
     
  16. stereoguy

    stereoguy Its Gotta Be True Stereo!

    Location:
    NYC

    I would pass on digital scales. In my experience they are not accurate. Ive seen them return 3 different weights on the same cart within 3 mins. Shouldn't be. I use the tried and true Shure see saw scale.
     
    CCrider92 likes this.
  17. patient_ot

    patient_ot Senior Member

    Location:
    USA
    Not my experience, nor that of others I know that use them. They do need to be calibrated, which some people don't bother to do.
     
    tin ears and Sterling1 like this.
  18. clear-capsule

    clear-capsule Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Sarasota
    Will I get comparable sound to the m97xe you think?
     
  19. 911s55

    911s55 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Wa state
    I found it to be more open and detailed than the original. Many users including me feel the original stylus to be a bit bland/dull in its presentation while the tracking was good though.

    Also there were some quality control issues with the 97xe cartridges, internal failings and exterior construction, you might want to check yours with a volt meter.
     
  20. Thorensman

    Thorensman Forum Resident

    Capacitance could be too high

    I use this cartridge from time to time.
    Needs to be 150pf.
    Easier said than done .
    In my case i fitted short leads and phono
    Stage close to turntable.
    If your leads are captive and cannot be shortened this can be a problem
     
  21. jtw

    jtw Forum Resident

    How does your cd player sound?
     
    33na3rd likes this.
  22. clear-capsule

    clear-capsule Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Sarasota
    All I have actually is the turntable. I’m getting a DAC and/or cdp soon, but for right now I have nothing to compare with
     
  23. clear-capsule

    clear-capsule Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Sarasota
    Ok I will do this. Thanks.
    I'm pretty sure I could shorten them, but this seems a little outside of my comfort zone. I really appreciate your comments. I'm gonna check with a multimeter later today.
     
  24. Thorensman

    Thorensman Forum Resident

    Yes its a superb cartridge.
    Needs some fine tuning.
    Most captive leads are100pf,
    Most phono stages 150pf
    So already we have 300pf.
    Tone controls useful here,
    Although unpopular.
     
  25. jtw

    jtw Forum Resident

    Cd players are $5 at thrift stores. Cds =$1. So, $6 to do some troubleshooting.
     
    33na3rd likes this.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page

molar-endocrine