2. analog
  3. 1208028900

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 2 responses by fap

fap
32 posts
 
G'day, interesting one. More and more I'm coming to the opinion that poor overhang set-up is the main reason for all manner of perceived vinyl playback issues. It took me years (about 20?!), to properly work out the intricacies of the Baerwald two point gauge, so I'm not surprised if people 'get it wrong', as I did too!

This reference is excellent, in particular getting the cartridge properly centred at each null point.
http://www.theanalogdept.com/2_pt_align.htm Regards,fscerri.
fap
32 posts
 
Well, that's interesting. I have M97xE's fitted to all my three turntables and I have never heard any inner groove distortion at all. I know for a fact that the M97xE is sensitive to correct overhang adjustment, so perhaps there lies the reason.

Some cartridges are relatively insensitive to correct overhang and others not. How are you setting yours? There are many different opinions on the best way to set overhang. At the very least it is a fiddly process, I concede that much! I use the Baerwald two point gauges and using them properly is a lot more difficult than one might think. It took me a long time to work it out! Regards, Fap.
More to discover