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Vinyl experts, I need your advice. TNT6, ETII,Benz

O.K. Here's the deal. I've been listening to vinyl for a long time on a VPIHW19jr. fitted with an ETII tonearm. Recently I upgraded to a somewhat lessend version of a VPI TNT 6. This is basically the new TNT jr. with the dual motor cutout but using a single motor and a TNT 6 platter and bearing. No air suspension, just the sorbothane units.
For my little pocketbook, this upgrade was substantial and I hope to eventually upgrade to a full "6" status. Here's the kicker, although the table sounds MUCH better than my old HW19jr, I still get a fair bit of what I believe to be distortion generally more towards the end of the record. I should add that I kept the ETII arm and a Benz Gold cart. I can't tell whether this is from record wear, mistracking or it is just a phenomenom of records. Some records are worse than others, some are what I would call unlistenable. When my wife listens to her Strisand records or other female artists I generally leave the room because when the going gets rough it gets unlistenable. Loud passages or higher pitched singing can be unbearable. I love Rickie Lee Jones and find that it is so much more pleasant on my Jolida CD player. THIS JUST WON'T DO! I have heard records sound great but there is always an uneasiness as I wait for that loud passage.
I have also heard this on better systems which makes a little apprehensive about vinyl playback anymore, and this is a shame because when it's good...it's real good.
If anyone has any ideas on where I should be looking to improve my playback please remark.
alun

Showing 2 responses by frogman

frogman
7,376 posts
 
All of the above are a possibility AND/OR the capillaries that pass the the air in the bearing housing may be getting clogged. I experienced what you describe and the problem was clogged capillaries. A bit time consuming to clean them, but not too difficult. The pump may be producing enough PSI, but the air bearing may not be seeing the same PSI. The capillaries will get clogged after years of use, even with the air filter in use.

Good luck.
frogman
7,376 posts
 
Drag on the spindle is exactly what happens. There is simply less air pressure inside the manifold. I started to notice a subtle but increasing deterioration in the sound, grain and overall lack of the smoothness and refinement that the ET is so capable of. When I cleaned the capillaries, I was almost embarrased that I had let it go for so long.
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