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Stylus Riding Too Low?

Hello everyone. I just purchased a brand new Music Hall 5.1 turntable. I put everything together and set up the tonearm as instructed. However, when playing an album the TT only plays for a few minutes and then begins to skip and play in the same spot. I noticed that the rear of the tonearm is actually so low that it touches the album as it progresses so that seems to be the cause. Overall, the tone arm seems pretty low. I must have reset the tonearm 20 times but it does not fix the problem.

Is this a problem with the VTA? The manual states that the VTA has already been properly set at the factory so I'm not looking to mess with it unless it is truly the problem. I also emailed the manufacturer and was told that the stylus may be riding too low? How do I fix this? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!
kldonne
3 responses Add your response
jea48
4,425 posts
 
Kldonne,

Here are a couple of videos that might help.

Watching the videos it appears the arm is higher at the back than at the front with the stylus resting in the record groove.

Did you remove the three shipping transport screws?

Make sure there is not any packing material that may cause the platter to be riding higher than it should be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIwVDiC0mZE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1ofMNxG3c0
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 
If the platter is indeed resting in its proper position on the bearing... does it turn properly when you turn on the turntable?,,,, you can check if your arm is in its proper position by the following... get a 3/5 index card with blue lines printed horizontally. Fold one carefully in half to make a tent with the lines going horizontally. Put a record on the stationary turntable.... Put the tent near the spindle...rest the arm in a groove of the record.. get low and line up the arm with an appropriate blue line of the index card. The arm should be able to line up...perhaps a weee bit too far up or down at the pivot of the arm.
jea48
4,425 posts
 
I noticed that the rear of the tonearm is actually so low that it touches the album as it progresses so that seems to be the cause.
That can't be right. Sounds like the VTA at the pivot is too low.

Are you sure the platter is seated down properly on the spindle?

If yes reset the VTA with the arm just slighter lower than parallel at the at rear of the arm with a record on the platter.
Make sure VTF is set correctly for the cartridge.

http://www.walkeraudio.com/fine_tuning_your_turntable.htm
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