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Odd problem with TT setup...

I’ve got an SME 30/2 TT with the Gold V tonearm. Recently, I’ve noticed on a few albums with particularly punchy kick drum passages (The Police Zenyatta, Talking Heads Slippery People particularly) that on occasion I hear a distinct “pop” as if overdriven during these notes. But not every time in the song, nor on every song.. The odd thing is, it doesn’t matter what I change... my typical cart is an Atlas, but it has also done it with other carts, namely a Sumiko Blue #2 MM. Capacitance settings don’t change the problem, I’ve tried cable swaps on both ends, different phono stages, gain settings, loads etc. it happens in any channel on my Hegel regardless of volume, it happens if I run straight into my head phone amp with headphones. The ONLY constant here is the tonearm. All of the setup parameters are spot on, I’ve tried a variety of VTA settings, antiskate you name it. Is it possible the internal wiring of the tonearm can have a problem? Overall the sound is excellent, great soundstage, overall presentation etc. with the exception of this one issue. Any ideas?
geof3

Showing 11 responses by geof3

geof3 OP
1,126 posts
 
Generally every thing we are discussing would be in play... once again it is not cart specific, it isn’t “random” in the sense it just happens whenever. It is very specific on specific songs, and the same each time. Regardless of cart, phono stage cables etc. it is a VERY weird issue. And no I have not tried a mat. That is a good idea.
geof3 OP
1,126 posts
 
@MC... I did try the mass thing last night as suggested above, just to see. I added 2 grams of blue tac, no luck. I’m going to mess with it a bit more this weekend... maybe I get lucky. Otherwise, I’m going to just throw in towel and enjoy what I’ve got and maybe see about sending the tone arm into SME. Its about 12 yrs old give or take. Could prob use a service anyway...
geof3 OP
1,126 posts
 
No... tried that as well. 
geof3 OP
1,126 posts
 
@Raul it’s not the cart. I’ve now tried my Atlas, two Sumitomo MC’s (high output) and now, for kicks, I tried a demo Ortofon MM... all the same. My current PS is a Simaudio Moon 5.3LP, I’ve tried a 310, I’ve tried 3 Lehmann’s Cube, Cube SE and Decade, I’ve tried McIntosh’s newest PS. All the same. A variety of cables of all levels... I’m completely stumped.

@Millercarbon, the sound is that if an overdrive. It is definitely distortion of some sort. Both channels, primarily right, I’ve tried antiskate settings from zero to “3” on the V... no idea...
geof3 OP
1,126 posts
 
Ok, so one more step in this troubleshooting... I just snagged a demo TT and I’m going to see what happens. A thought by my local guy suggested a short perhaps in the tone arm. Update at 11...
geof3 OP
1,126 posts
 
So, an update... yes, there is no doubt these particular albums are hot for sure. I “borrowed” a Rega P3 and plugged it into my system and played the offending albums/tunes... no extraneous pop. So, either the combo of cart/tone arm/whatever on my SME is very, very sensitive and is doing just as mentioned above and possibly mistracking those hot passages, or I have a problem with my tone arm. Here’s a thought... could there be something with my SME power source? A ground problem or some such? 
geof3 OP
1,126 posts
 
Haha! Yeah... just might do that!
geof3 OP
1,126 posts
 
A development... today, the right channel cut, very briefly... twice. Pretty sure now I have a tone arm problem. The question is, send it to SME and have it rebuilt/serviced or start thinking about a new tonearm?
geof3 OP
1,126 posts
 
Yes, I am looking at demo-ing an 810 perhaps next week. My local shop is a Simaudio dealer. But then, there are numerous options at that level... gotta get the TT sorted one way or another first. The “bike tires” are ok for now...
geof3 OP
1,126 posts
 
So, the SME is off to be rebuilt and rewired. I’m sure it will be weeks before I see it. I suppose, if it comes back and I still have issues, we can start this thread up again! Crossed fingers!
geof3 OP
1,126 posts
 
Ah, kind of forgot about this thread. All sorted, and sounding great. Still have no idea what the problem was, but it is no longer an issue. I was having some other issues that just boiled down to getting the setup just right. Happy ending!
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