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Are some tracks impossible to track?

I had been having a problem with a few lps, that I thought were completely solved...distortion on highly modulated tracks in 1 channel due to not enough anti-skate. For the most part its gone.

But I just got a 45 rpm recording (Maria Muldaur...Richland Woman Blues) whose 1st track still distorts, a little on both channels. So I increased the VTF to 3 grams and got rid of the problem. BUT...the recommended VTF is 1.8-2.2 g. Am I screwing up my other 99% of lps by tracking at 3g. I do not notice any negative effects when I play other lps at 3g.

Now even at 3g, when I play Beethoven's Hammerklavier Sonata (Pollini/DG) there is still very slight distortion, when he "hammers" at the piano.

Rig: Scoutmaster/Sumiko Blackbird

So are some tracks simply untrackable or should a properly matched arm/cart, properly set up track anything? VPI swears the Blackbird is a good match for the JMW 9. I have triple checked everything re: setup, but I am new to analog.
dolifant

Showing 1 response by dolifant

dolifant OP
16 posts
 
Fair enough. I have reversed back to 2.2 g VTF.

But the JMW 9 is not that good OK, I know its not a $2-3k ARM. Is that what it takes? I thought the JMW 9 was designed for the VPI tables. And it does track 99% of what I listen to fine, as far as I can see. Maybe when the cart breaks in all the way the suspension will loosen up and it will track just a tad better. Or maybe on to the JMW 9 signature!

What are the best tracking carts out there?
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