TT setup problems

Here's the deal: I changed the cartridge on my TT and using a Sure SFG-2 stylus pressure gauge I set the stylus pressure to the manufacturers suggested pressure. Most everything seemed fine at first, but then I came across one or two LP's that would not playback properly, LP's that had previously played back without a hitch. It sounded like the needle was not quite staying down on the grooves and was sort of lightly lifting off the record, making for an unplayable record. Since the records, to my eyes at least, didn't look warped or anything, although the tonearm did visibly seem to be shifting around a lot, I decided to readjust the stylus pressure to give it slightly more pressure. Moving the counterweight up not quite a notch seem to have solved the problem.

So finally my question: is this a common occurrence and should I leave the pressure where it is permanently or try to reset it only when playing these troubled records? That seems like a rather time consuming process and I would rather just leave it as is, as long as it's not going to do any damage to my stylus and records.

My second question is this: I seem to get a lot of sibilance when playing back records, on obvious parts like on S's or CH's for example. What could be causing this? Is this a stylus pressure problem, or perhaps an alignment problem? If it is a problem with alignment, can anyone suggest to me where I could find something to help me align the cartridge - I've looked, but I can only find excessively expensive alignment tools and what not. Is there something inexpensive that will do the trick out there?

BTW, I've got a Numark TT100 turntable w/ stock arm & counterweight and a Grado Prestige Blue cartridge.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Thank you Gary, I'll give that a shot.

 

This sounds like it might be an anti-skate problem. Did you re-set the anti-skate when you put the new cart in? Usually it is set at the number which is equal to whatever weight you have the cart set at. A more accurate way might be as follows:
When I set the AS, I use a laserdisc centered on the TT. Then I place the arm down (after setting the weight) on the center of the disc and adjust the AS just until the arm starts to slowly slide back towards the arm rest. That should be the ideal spot. If you don't have a laserdisc, try to find an LP with a large blank area.
Good luck!

 

I did set the anti-skate, but I can certainly try your suggestion and see what happens. Thanks for the advice.

 

For all of the cartridges that I have ever owned the manufacturer has suggested a range of stylus pressures by quoting a minimum and a maximum. So have you set yours to the minimum? I have always found that a pressure near to, or at, the maximum was needed for secure tracking.

 

Re: Re: TT setup problems

The documentation only quotes one number, and that is 1.5. It actually doesn't even specifically say to set it to 1.5, it merely lists in the specs a stylus tracking force of 1.5 grams. I set it to 1.5 originally, but have now changed it to a slightly higher pressure that seems to have fixed the problem.

 

Re: Re: Re: TT setup problems

GoldenBoy,

The Shure gauge is not 100 percent accurate even under the best circumstances ... Given user error and other factors as well, at best the gauge is good only as a rough indication of your VTF.

On my Rega Planar 3/RB300 with Dynavector 10x4 cartridge (with recommended VTF of 1.5 to 1.9 grams), I set my VTF to 1.9 grams (with antiskating set to 0 and the gauge placed directly on the platter, with the felt mat removed, which seems to best match the height of the stylus in a record groove), then use my Hi-Fi News & Record Review test LP to set antiskate and check tracking. Often, to get optimal tracking, I have to increase the VTF a bit, even by as much as a tenth of a gram or two so that I'm up around 2.1 or, at most, 2.2 grams according to the Shure gauge. That's likely within the gauge's margin of error at the 2x setting (which I have to use ... Shure only gives a margin of error for the 1x setting, of 0.1 gram), so I don't worry about straying far from the recommended range ... Once it tracks well according to the test LP, every record I throw at it seems to track well and sound great. Best of luck!

As far as sibilance ... I would suspect alignment first and foremost. I just recently purchased a $20 mirrored overhang/alignment protractor here with which I've had great success. I'd recommend at least giving it a look.

 

I seem to get the same results as Jeff, if it helps anyone.

 

Re: Re: TT setup problems

All good advice above.

And GB - remember that you're likely to do more damage to records by tracking too lightly than a going a bit heavier. The last thing you want is for the stylus to "rattle around" in the groove, likely causing damage. In severe cases, you can hear the sound "break up." Keeping the stylus in solid contact and tracking the groove walls securely, is best.

 

Was the new cartridge a Grado, by any chance? They have unusual low frequency damping characteristics and have been known to "wobble" on records that other pickups aren't bothered by.

The other question is one of mass/compliance. If your cartridge's compliance is unusually low, and/or tonearm mass unusually high, the low frequency resonance of the system will be at record warp frequencies, so even records that are not visibly much warped can cause problems. The only solution I know of in such a situation is to add some kind of damping mechanism. Or use lighter hardware for affixing the cartridge, perhaps.

 

Yeah it's a Grado Prestige Blue and it does seem to be giving me problems on records that played just fine before I switched cartridges.

 

In that case you might actually try *adding* some mass. If you can't find some appropriate weights to screw onto the headshell, try a blob of mortite or something, then re-balance the arm so the actual tracking pressure remains the same.

 

Cool. Thanks for the advice. I'll see what I can find.