Zyx mistracking issue


Hi all!
I experiment some mistracking issues with a Zyx R100H that I acquired on e-bay in 2012. My tech confirms that the tip is not worned out (I listen no more than 2-3 hours/week on average). My Zyx is mounted on a LP12 with a Zeta arm.

Has anyone experienced tracking issues with Zyx cartridges? All reviews I found stated a flawless tracking performance. Could it be some compatibility issue with the Zeta? Is the suspension particularly fragile? As a comparison my backup table is a Thorens TD160, grace 707 arm and grace F9e cartridge; this backup setup does not have mistracking issues despite its older age.

Thanks for any clue.
vepiteski


vepiteski

Showing 5 responses by vepiteski

I trippled checked the setup, increased vtf to 2.2g, fine tuned antiskate by ear. My next step is to try it in my backup table, i.e. the grace tonearm.
Thanks for the comment!
Distortion on loud passages, for instance on classical piano recordings in highly dynamic passages. Sibilance issues on test records https://www.discogs.com/fr/Unknown-Artist-Vinyl-Check/release/5813497track B1 for instance.
vepiteski

According to https://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge_database.php?m=Zyx&mod=r100h&t=any&sort=2&Sear...=the tracking force is 1.7-2.5g. At 2.2g, I mistracking is much reduced on music recordings (piano) but still fails the sibilance test record.Also, the Zeta has an effective mass of 16g, and again from the vinylengine site, the match with the R100 is perfect.


Thanks for all your comments.
@rauliruegas I had my LP12 checked by the tech at my local shop, an authorised Linn dealer; he checked the stylus tip, the arm bearings, and tuned the LP12; however, you are right in pointing out the >1000 hrs and this is why I wish to replace my cartridge in some near future.

However, according to the specs, Trackablity > 60μm. Using the HiFiNews test LP, +12db (~45 μm) tracks OK, but +14db begins to mistrack slightly, which seems coherent with the specs, and suggests that Zyx are not so great trackers.
If so, I might look elsewhere for a replacement: Zyx prices have doubled since I bought mine and I would prefer a better tracker.

@chakster I don't know its origin, I bought it from an individual on ebay, not 2juki but my seller may have bought it from 2juki???
A final remark, its sound is very good, absolutely nothing to complain about sound quality, I just happen to enjoy much piano music and am sometimes annoyed by mistracking on very dynamic passages... much less so since I increased VTF to 2.2g.

I pursued my investigation and finally bought a new AT-OC9ii fully compatible with my Zeta arm. It tracks absolutely flawlessly! I optimized the asimuth adjustment; you can read about my experience (in french) in a short report. http://info.usherbrooke.ca/jpdussault/Audio/Azimuth.pdfIn summary, I experimented with five cartridges, the Zyx, Grace F9e, a Shinon Saphic, a DV23RS and the AT-OC9. All but the AT have close to 800-1000 hours of usage. The Zyx is the worst tracker, the AT the best and the DV-23 a close second best despite its ~1000 hours of play and some 35 years old...

@analoghaven I don't succeed in using my mini microscope to photograph a still picture of a stylus, so I can't imagine viewing a moving one tracking a record!