Need advice from Triplanar mk.7 owners


Just bought Triplanar mk.VII U II tonearm (produced december 2008) and noticed that the base where armwand connects to and where adjustments for azimuth are located IS NOT vertically aligned. Do you have the same or yours is aligned?

pics
http://img5.imageshack.us/i/image1xrs.jpg/
http://img9.imageshack.us/i/image2sft.jpg/

Also, I run tests on Hi Fi news test LP (cartidge man LP) for antiskating tests. Whatever antiskating I use (no AS, minimum, middle, max) I get distorted sounds either from right channel or both, no impact on this with changed settings... VTA, Azimuth, VTF appears to be OK.

What could be the reason?

TT is Thorens 124 mk.1, cart ZYX Bloom.

Thanks in advance.
salavat

Showing 2 responses by dougdeacon

The arm looks normal to me, though the user obviously hasn't centered the azimuth adjustment.

The first photo (when maximized on screen) clearly shows that the pin is adjusted to a position that's WAY anti-clockwise from vertical.

The threads on the adjusting screw are skewed in the same direction. It would be odd if they were otherwise. If the adjustment were changed to make the pin more nearly vertical, the threads would be more even (necessarily).

If this is really where the OP's setup needs to be for proper azimuth, which I doubt, the problem is with the cartridge, not the tonearm.

***
The antiskate tracks on the HiFi News LP are not tests you're trying to pass. They're SUPPOSED to create R channel distortion. Adjusting your rig to eliminate that distortion (if you could) would result in FAR too much AS and VTF.

The best use for that LP is as a Frisbee, preferably one that you throw once and never find again. Learn to adjust your rig by listening to the music you play, not with poorly designed test records that contain amplitudes your rig will rarely if ever experience with real music.
Aha! Now I see the problem. Of course this explains why the azimuth adjustment pin needs to be angled so.

This shouldn't be acceptable in an arm at this price point.

I answered an email from Salavat before spotting this thread and suggested that if the arm is new he contact his dealer for warranty service. If the arm was bought used from a non-dealer he should contact Tri Mai directly.

Repair is undoubtedly a simple adjustment involving the piece Nandric described, but that's a job for Tri Mai. For an owner to torque the arm tubes and connectors would risk bearing damage and/or marring the finish.