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 johnnantais

John,

The last individual had it right: the problem is your antiskating force. Since the VPI tonearm doesn't have this feature, you must twist the tonearm wires in the direction opposite to the skating direction, clockwise if you're facing the front of the 'table, and then connect them. If one twist isn't enough, then try two. Also, don't be afraid to increase the stylus force pressure, as too little does more to damage records than too much. Do this before you twist the wires, as the skating force is tied to the pressure. Head toward the upper end of the recommended range.