Many threads already exist about this, so search, but in short:
1. tracks at end of record are frequently more compressed and thus difficult to track
2. in orchestral music they also often contain climaxes that are the most difficult to track anyway
SO:
3. make sure table and platter are 100% level, using a level tool
4. lining up by eye is not sufficient. tiny adjustments make huge differences. get a decent 2-point protractor and take the time to get it right
5. doublecheck your tracking force and VTA everytime you change the alignment. tracking force usually, but not always, needs to be at the high end of the manufacturer's recommended range. get a VTF scale to ensure accuracy and repeatability
6. repeat steps 4 and 5 over and over (because every change affects the other 2) until you have got it right
6. now repeat steps 4 and 5 by ear until you've got listenability and can track the inner grooves
If you are still getting distortion at end of record, then it was played repeatedly by someone with bad cartridge setup (possibly yourself!) and the grooves are damaged. Discard that copy of the record and get yourself a new one.
Also, make sure you buy mint records and have a record cleaning setup of some kind (I recommend Disc Doctor; others recommend other systems). Dirt however is an unlikely candidate here if you're only experiencing end-of-side problems.
Patrick
1. tracks at end of record are frequently more compressed and thus difficult to track
2. in orchestral music they also often contain climaxes that are the most difficult to track anyway
SO:
3. make sure table and platter are 100% level, using a level tool
4. lining up by eye is not sufficient. tiny adjustments make huge differences. get a decent 2-point protractor and take the time to get it right
5. doublecheck your tracking force and VTA everytime you change the alignment. tracking force usually, but not always, needs to be at the high end of the manufacturer's recommended range. get a VTF scale to ensure accuracy and repeatability
6. repeat steps 4 and 5 over and over (because every change affects the other 2) until you have got it right
6. now repeat steps 4 and 5 by ear until you've got listenability and can track the inner grooves
If you are still getting distortion at end of record, then it was played repeatedly by someone with bad cartridge setup (possibly yourself!) and the grooves are damaged. Discard that copy of the record and get yourself a new one.
Also, make sure you buy mint records and have a record cleaning setup of some kind (I recommend Disc Doctor; others recommend other systems). Dirt however is an unlikely candidate here if you're only experiencing end-of-side problems.
Patrick