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Dynavector 17D3 hitting clamp on VPI Scout

Hi, everyone. I've got a serious problem with my new Dynavector Karat 17D3. It was professionally installed and set up on my first-generation VPI Scout table with the JMW tonearm. It works fine until the stylus goes into the blank grooves at the center of the record. Then the side of the cartridge hits the VPI record clamp. Aside from the loud crashing sound this produces, the dealer says that the impact may damage the stylus. For the moment, I'm playing records without the clamp. That's not really a good solution, though, since the clamp performs an important function and is recommended by VPI. Have any of you encountered this problem? Any tips for a solution?
madcitygeoff

Showing 2 responses by tketcham

tketcham
291 posts
 
I found the same problem with a Michell Engineering clamp. The Karat 17D3 has a very wide body and it hits at least half the LPs that I've played. I try to lift the tone arm before it hits the clamp but oftentimes I'm just a tad late. I don't think that the slight bending of the cantilever is exerting enough torque on the stylus or generator to do harm in the short term but I've been thinking of shaving the clamp down to avoid potential damage in the long term. The Michell Engineering clamp bell is made of delrin so it'll be easy to grind down but I'm not sure about the resulting aesthetics.

Seems that Dynavector needs to redesign the Karat's dimensions so that it doesn't become a deciding factor in cartridge choice. The 17D3 is such a fine cartridge, I'd hate to think people would avoid it because of this problem.

Tom
tketcham
291 posts
 
Geoff, not sure it's a problem with the clamp(s) so much as it's a problem with the wide body of the 17D3. The Michell clamp is a similar width to the VPI at 3.5"/87.5mm, which is a very common record clamp diameter.

Record weights are ok but I prefer to use the relatively lightweight clamps that Pro-Ject, Michell, VPI, and others provide. A record weight has to be heavy enough to provide the same amount of pressure as a clamp and so puts additional weight on the platter bearing. When a platter bearing is designed for a heavy weight there's no problem, but when a platter bearing is not designed for the heavier weight there can be additional wear on the bearing itself. The amount of wear may be negligible but I'd rather not find out after a thousand hour of record play that I have to replace the platter bearing.

I haven't done an exhaustive search for a lightweight clamp with a smaller diameter bell (perhaps 85mm would do it) but so far I haven't found anything. If you come up with something in your search, please post. Otherwise I think a visit to a machine shop is in order.

Tom
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