2. analog
  3. 170372-93252

Why do my bass drivers shake violently listening to vinyl

Hello Gon'ers,

Help needed. I took the grills off my new Vandersteen Treo CT's recently and noticed that when listening to vinyl, the bass drivers shake violently, meaning the amount and frequency in which they travel in and out. Then I played the same pieces of music from Tidal and they were relatively calm.

Is this some kind of feedback loop causing this? Has this happened to anyone else?

Thanks!
Joe
audionoobie

Showing 3 responses by williewonka

williewonka
3,110 posts
 
@audionoobie

RE:   But the main source is feedback exciting the natural stylus/arm resonance between 7 and 12 hz.


If this is the case try placing a small amount of bluetac or silly putty on the heard/arm and recalibrate the stylus down force to the recommended amount for the cartridge. This will change the overall mass, which may reduce, eliminate or exacerbate the problem. Either way you will know the cause of the problem. 

Do the bearings in the arm have any play in them?

Regards
williewonka
3,110 posts
 
@audionoobie - Some questions:
  • Do the woofers visibly pulse in and out i.e. you can see the movement
  • Is the "shaking" consistent for every album
  • are the albums warped, so the pulsing matches the album warps 
  • is the platter free from warps
  • is the bearing in good shape
  • is the stylus clean and in good condition
  • what kind of stylus are you using
  • does your phono stage have a sub-sonic filter
Take a read of this thread
Phono-pre: subsonic filter on or off ? | Audiogon Discussion Forum  

It might give you a clue as to what is going on

Good Luck
williewonka
3,110 posts
 
@audionoobie re:
@williewonka how can I tell if the bearings have any play in them? Not sure what you’re referring to.
Simply hold the arm between thumb and finger and gently push/pull the arm - if there is play you will feel a slight movement or feel a clicking

This is not common, but can occur - if this is the case the beerings need adjusting (if possible)

Regards






More to discover