Advice on mistracking or some problem


I am having a strange problem with my turntable. First my system:

VPI Scout
Denon DL-160
Vintage Pioneer Receiver

I don't exactly know how to describe the problem other than how it sounds. There is a static/crackling sound and a fairly serious increase in volume in the left channel and dimming of sound in right channel - sound overall also is a distorted. Happens pretty randomly, but usually more at very beginning of an album. After a 20-60 seconds the sound will pop back into a normal good sound.

I am almost positive that my set-up is good. Have checked and re-checked alignment (with VPI jig) and azimuth, and I have tried various tracking weights with no predictable effect on this problem.

I can say with a very high level of confidence that it is not anything post-turntable in my system causing this. It is the turntable or the cartridge. If it's a short in the tonearm wire (which would be really bad) then it's probably not in an area where the wire is exposed as manipulation of the wire seems to have no effect, as it often does in the case of a short.

Any advice?
bigmm79

Showing 3 responses by bigmm79

Distortion stayed on same channel-wise despite switching input into receiver, as suggested by Headsnappin. I guess this suggests something post-turntable. Hmmmmm.
I have tried VTF between 1.6 and 2.2. VTA is maybe slightly lower on pivot end. I'll be getting another cartridge to test with soon. Anti-skate doesn't seem to make any difference.
This is on all lps, not just old ones. It is not always just at the beginning of the lp, but usually is. Good idea on switching the inputs, I will try that. Possible this is the receiver, I suppose, since it seems to happen more often at the beginning of a listening session and less after things have "warmed up". Last night though it was just terrible, happened often and and all points on a record. Did not lessen with warm up. It never happens, however, using a cd player with the aux input. Could it be a receiver problem limited to phono inputs? Receiver is a solid state Pioneer SX-828 from 1973, no tubes. Thanks everyone for the ideas.