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Something strange with imaging

Hello all,

I am using a Kuzma Stabi S turntable with Stogi tonearm and Soundsmith modified Sumiko Blackbird.  I have 2 preamps I use for the player.  An EAR 864 and a Parasound JC3/JC2 combo.  I don't play vinyl often.  Something strange has been happening lately. The image has been pulling to the left.  It happens with both pre-amps. First thought was the cables from the player.  I switched the right to left an left to right.  Low and behold , the imaging was spot on, albeit reversed.  This occurs with both pre-amps. Could it be a stylus azimuth or VTA  issue?  Any thoughts?

olp88

Showing 2 responses by yeti42

yeti42's avatar
yeti42
287 posts
 

The image was pulled to the right but centred when the cables were reversed, not pulled to the left? Which cables and what happens when they’re returned to the original way round? Could be that swapping them cleaned the connections.

yeti42's avatar
yeti42
287 posts
 

Image position follows the tweeter, as I found out when one of mine failed.

You’ve established that the issue is somewhere before the phonostage, a dameged cable with a higher capacitance on one channel might be involved but I think it a long shot. What happens if you swap channels at the cartridge tags and the phonostage input? 

 

Try another cartridge.

 

How are you setting bias?  If you do end up sending the blackbird back to Soundsmith get them to assess the wear on the stylus and condition of the suspension. This can tell you if you’re getting it close enough.

 

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