Benz LPS Sounds Bad, Very Bad at 45 RPM

What sort of distortion? Can you be more explicit?

I'd suggest you verify the speed is correct at the 45 RPM setting. Sounds like it might be unstable. I've never heard of a cartridge that sounded great at 33 1/3 but distorted at 45 if both speeds were accurate. My initial thought was the quality of the recording/vinyl was lacking, but it sounds like it's unlikely in your case.

What turntable? Did it sound bad with another cartridge, before you got the current Benz? Are you by any chance using one of those copper turntable mats?

Is your setup--alignment, overhang, VTA, VTF, etc all spot on?

I have the LP-S and have used it on two different turntables and two different arms and no issue going from 33 1/3 to 45rpms. Is tracking force, azimuth, etc set correctly? Faster speed may exacerbate some of those settings if incorrect?

Its hard to believe its the cartridge...I simply LOVE that one. What arm? Check and double check your setup

Dear Davidriggs: If the overall cartridge set up is right the IMHO what you are hearing seems to me a problem with cartridge traking distortion.

45 RPM puts higher demands ( over 33 rpm LPs. ) on any tonearm/cartridge combination but on my experiences not so hard to have the trouble you have. So could be that the cartridge suspension is in trouble or that in your analog rig the tonearm/cartridge combination is not well matched.

To be sure maybe you have to mount the cartridge in other tonearm and run the same recordings in your system and see what happen.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

send it to me for verification :) of the issue....

I believe you might be experiencing some VTA or tracking force issue, related to the thicker 45RPM LP's. My first Benz seemed to be senstitive to the changes of LP thickness. I remember reading about Fremer's DIY trick about changing VTF when using a thicker LP to overcome VTA issues. It might work or not, it did for me. I have sinced upgraded to the LP S and have not any issues regarding distortion or tracking. I use an SME V arm and track at 1.8 grams. I aligned with the SME arm guide and the Mobile Fidelity protractor.
Good luck.

Ciao,
Audioquest4life

thanks gents

Turntable is tw acustic raven ac3 with a tw 10.5 arm.

I also have a Graham phantom ii with the micro poise and it does the same thing with the Graham

I reset it up today and am getting the same thing...will try to tweak it around some more thought...can' beat fun

thanks gents

Turntable is tw acustic raven ac3 with a tw 10.5 arm.

I also have a Graham phantom ii with the micro poise and it does the same thing with the Graham

I reset it up today and am getting the same thing...will try to tweak it around some more thought...can' beat fun

It does have a copper platter

Funny about the copper platter. A friend of mine, who also owns the same Benz cart as yours, got a copper mat at an audio show. He had problems playing records on his turntable (Teres, with JMW 10.5 arm) after starting to use the mat. He could never figure out what the mat was doing wrong, but after he stopped using it, his problems went away. I can't remember the specific problem(s), but your experience rang a bell which is why I brought it up.

Might help if you would actually describe the "distortion" you are hearing, as per above.