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Mistracking zyx after hibernating?

After about 6 months of rest, my Zyx 4D gold now breaks up on some piano notes and vocals. I had about 250 hrs on it when last played and it was tracking perfectly. I'm pretty sure that it sounded perfect the last time i heard it.

It sounds quite similar when it had less than 20 hrs on it. I haven't touched the tracking force (1.9 g) since then. Tonearm is SME on a michell deck.

Is it possible that it would need some breaking in again? Anyone with the same experience? I'm getting a bit Impatient and would really appreciate some input and reassurance so i can get some sleep again.

thanks in advance for your responses
rodgen

Showing 2 responses by rodgen

rodgen OP
16 posts
 
Bnrlaw,Stingreen,Storyboy,

I did check the vtf and it was still 1.9 g. I have some particular records which I use to check tracking and they are pretty quiet but i'll let them go thru an RCM again.

I'll double check the other mounting parameters and will let you guys know.

BTW, I forgot to mention that I've been using an electric room dehumidifier. It's been raining here frequently and I'm getting this funny smell in my room so it's been on twice a week. Could this possibly affect the cart suspension?

I'm also thinking it could be the suspension firming up again after a bit of rest but as I said I'd rather hear your opinions and experiences.

Thanks again,
rodgen OP
16 posts
 
Here's my report guys,

Yesterday I checked the mounting parameters. I was surprised that the overhang was a bit off. I do have the old Dennesen protractor but I used the feickert protractor and Hi-Fi news test record to verify alignment. I ran the cart 3 times thru the Hi-Fi news test record as additional burn-in. I don't have the cardas burn-in Lp but I'll try to borrow from a friend who has one.

Quite embarrasing as it is, I use a rather cheap digital scale to verify the readings on my shure force gauge but Like what Stingreen said I decide on the basis of what sounds best to my ears.(Again I'll try to borrow a more reliable vtf scale to check my readings)

I did some very carefull stylus cleaning (dry brushing and zerodust, but I'll try to get some of that magic eraser tomorow). After about 4 hrs of play, Mistracking was almost non-existent. I had a big Sigh of relief after hearing it tracking smoothly again. Music was floating in the air again without the annoying break-up on some notes.

It took me about 10 hrs of playing before I could stop myself ( I usually put on a spoiler LP to break my mood and sign off for the night) and Thanks to you Guys I had some quality sleep.

This morning after waking up and gathering my thoughts I went straight to my music room and played some records. Well I don't know if its teasing me but about half of the mistracking yesterday was back again but What's important is that you guys were right all that time, "Everything counts even in small amounts". I was pretty stubborn and was denying that the rest of the set-up was OK.

I'll be breaking it in some more for the next few days and post some follow-up on the changes.

Really Appreciate all your coaching guys,
Thanks Again- Bnrlaw, Stingreen, Storyboy, Markd51 and to you Doug.
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