I'm scratching my records


After carefully setting the stylus pressure using a scale (to the lower end of the Lyra Helikon's recommended setting) on my JMW 12.5, the needle will 'skate' when initially placed on the lead-in groove until it 'hits' the music tracks and makes a horrible and damaging sound...(Now my Norah Jones LP has a minutes worth of 'tic-tic-tic-tic' :(

Is my stylus pressure too low, or too high?

Not all records do this, maybe 30%, and if I'm careful to get the stylus very near the music start and away from the edge as much as possible it helps.

Suggestions, comments, criticism??? All appreciated.

Damn, this analog is hard!

John
Atlanta, GA
jbatlanta

Showing 1 response by jbatlanta

Thank you for the suggestions. I have found that my tracking force was only 1.5G, this for a Lyra Helikon that recommends 1.6 to 1.75G! So, I have now upped the force to 1.7G and the stylus seems to stay put better. Also, the distortion I was hearing during very loud passages is gone...(I suspected the force was too low, but hadn't had the time to adjust it)

Well, today I have the time...am watching football with the sound off, and the stereo on (turntable of course), in front of the fireplace...aaaaaaah!

My only hassle is from two cats giving me dirty looks as evidently my music is interfering with their nap time!

I'll put something more restful on, I guess. :)