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Tracking Troubles--Upgrade or Setup?

Lately I've been bothered by what I think is poor tracking in my low-budget vinyl setup, and I'm concerned that I'm doing damage to my records. The problem is distortion at dynamic peaks. There was a thread on this a while ago, to which I contributed, because a lot of my used vinyl seems to be just plain worn and distorts at peaks because of (I presume) years of playing on somebody else's setup. My copy of Kenny Burrell's Midnight Blue is particularly bad, and it kills me!

What I've noticed lately is that I'm getting faint distortion on new records, again at the peaks, and particularly as the cartridge tracks closer to the center. Really, I think this problem has always been there but I've listened past it--blessing and a curse, I'm listening more closely now.

My setup is a Technics SL-D2 with a Shure M97xE into a Cambridge 540P. The Shure's known for tracking well, has a new stylus, and I have paid a lot of attention to setup (level, protractor, tracking force gauge, test record), but I'm also a relative vinyl newbie and have had to learn all of it on my own--possibly something's off, and I don't know it. I want to enjoy my records for a long time, particularly those I'm shelling out new-vinyl prices for. Should I: setup from scratch; look into a new table/arm (used Rega P3 or Technics 1200); look into a new cartridge? How big a factor is the table/arm in tracking? Thanks in advance for all help.
ablang

Showing 3 responses by chashmal

chashmal
605 posts
 
I experience exactly the same thing, and have (by process of elimination) come tome the conclusion that occasional mistracking definitely occurs. Often, when I simply lift the arm and put it back it helps. I don't want to go any heavier if I can avoid it, and since this is very sporadic, I live with it with no harm to the LPs.

Thanks to Doug's advice this seems more clear. However I have a question for Doug: should I try a little more tracking weight? I have a Rega rb300 arm, admittedly not a high end arm, but gets the job done on my Linn LP12. Thus I prefer less weight/force if I can get away with it. What do you think?
chashmal
605 posts
 
Doug: Yes, it does certainly favor one channel alright, you got it. It occurs on some LPs but not consistently. A given LP might do it now and then, not always. Definitely not LP damage I think.

Here you will have to excuse my ignorance on this matter. I have a Rega RB300 arm which (to my knowledge) has only tracking weight adjustment and no VTF or AS fine adjustment. I am already at the maximum for my cartridge for tracking. I have heard that Rega doesn't honor anti-skating for some spurious ideological reason.

I guess increasing tracking might help. You suggest going over the recommended level a bit?
chashmal
605 posts
 
"Not all protractors are created equal, and you may have difficulties trying to implement a Baerwald alignment on a Rega, which favors a Stephenson alignment. Also, since you're using an LP12, I would recheck your arm cable dressing through the P-clip. Any hang or drag on the arm cable will cause grief"

Thank you sir, but I really cannot understand what you have said. Thus the need to pay a professional.
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