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Odd problem with TT setup...

I’ve got an SME 30/2 TT with the Gold V tonearm. Recently, I’ve noticed on a few albums with particularly punchy kick drum passages (The Police Zenyatta, Talking Heads Slippery People particularly) that on occasion I hear a distinct “pop” as if overdriven during these notes. But not every time in the song, nor on every song.. The odd thing is, it doesn’t matter what I change... my typical cart is an Atlas, but it has also done it with other carts, namely a Sumiko Blue #2 MM. Capacitance settings don’t change the problem, I’ve tried cable swaps on both ends, different phono stages, gain settings, loads etc. it happens in any channel on my Hegel regardless of volume, it happens if I run straight into my head phone amp with headphones. The ONLY constant here is the tonearm. All of the setup parameters are spot on, I’ve tried a variety of VTA settings, antiskate you name it. Is it possible the internal wiring of the tonearm can have a problem? Overall the sound is excellent, great soundstage, overall presentation etc. with the exception of this one issue. Any ideas?
geof3
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rauliruegas
12,842 posts
 
Dear @geof3 : 12 years on that SME tonearm?, I assume you are the original owner. I don't know if the internal wiring in that tonearm is the same of more contemporary samples and if not then could be a good time for SME rewires it and at the same time can gives a check up to its overall specs, especially the bearings.

Now the V is a tonearm balanced design and the best way to use it is not in balanced way but in static way. Do you already did it ? if not rigth now is time to do it along its silicon damping ( tray. ).

Btw, I know that first than all you need to fix this pop trouble but after that and due to the quality top Atlas performance levels as the Hegel electronics and very good TT/tonearm you should change that good but average/medicre one phono stage that can't honor the true Atlas quality performance that can shows you with a way better phono stage that you can buy from Simaudio due that this Canadian company has very good and high level engeneering.
Your today unit works mainly through op-amps and its overload levels is really low at 2.2db. with a non accurated RIAA eq. for high differences in between both channels.
I know that you like what you are listening ( other than that pop. ) but in reality what you are listening is a " poor " quality against what the Atlas can shows you or to any other audiophile with the rigth phono stage.

With all respect you own a " Ferrari " that is running it with bike tires.

R.
geof3 OP
1,125 posts
 
A development... today, the right channel cut, very briefly... twice. Pretty sure now I have a tone arm problem. The question is, send it to SME and have it rebuilt/serviced or start thinking about a new tonearm?
pratorious
124 posts
 
The question is, send it to SME and have it rebuilt/serviced or start thinking about a new tonearm?
Both! Get a new tonearm and THEN send your SME in for service. Win win. Fun fun.
geof3 OP
1,125 posts
 
Haha! Yeah... just might do that!
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
millercarbon: 
A pop to me is more of an electrical kind of thing. But all the electrical glitches I've heard in situations like this the sound cuts out it doesn't pop.

So now at last we have our answer: worn internal wiring. Probably internal and out of sight but carefully inspect all you can see. Use tweezers to pull the cartridge clips, or at least give them a little nudge to confirm they're still nice and tight. 

But basically yeah, probably time for service. If you like the arm they probably can upgrade the wire. Origin Live has wire upgrades for theirs, SME should too. 
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