Re: Turntable "upgrade" not living up to expectations?

Posted by Paul Keller (A) on October 31, 2004 at 18:44:59

In Reply to: Re: Turntable "upgrade" not living up to expectations? posted by mr.bear on October 31, 2004 at 16:44:34:

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

I suspect the cartridge is simply worn out; in addition to whatever use it was put through by my relative it also sat unused for approximately a decade.

Careful cleaning of the stylus did reduce the distortion; now the PL400 and ATPL50 distort about equally now. Neither seems to do well with complex, loud passages.

The PL400 is definitely more musical. I suspect I'm now hitting the tracking limitations of a cheap factory mounted AT3600 cart. in the ATPL50, and the limitations of a worn-out cartridge in the PL400.

I checked the alignment of the PL400 with the free, downloadable protractor from http://www.enjoythemusic.com/freestuff.htm . It's actually basically right on. The VTA is not adjustable, as mr. bear pointed out. I don't have a VTF scale yet; I have it set between 1 and 1.5g right now, where the previous owner had it (after balancing the arm). I don't have the manual, and therefore don't know where to adjust the azimuth, but it looks fairly good anyway.

I also looked at the stylus tip with a jeweler's loupe that I happen to have around. I can't see any sharp edges/flat spots on the diamond, so I don't think it's tearing up the records I put it on at least.

Guess that just leaves me looking at new cartridges for this thing then. Do these types of turntables (quartz DD) typically have the infamous "Grado hum" issues? Aside from that the Grado Black seems to get good marks at its price point.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Turntable "upgrade" not living up to expectations? - Paul Keller 13:43:31 10/31/04 (14)

Proper tonearm/cartridge match is important, also. - Recordfan 07:13:24 11/02/04 (0)

Beware the MMF2.1 - Bob Wortman 16:03:50 11/01/04 (0)

My guess... - theguelpher 08:24:48 11/01/04 (0)

Re: Turntable "upgrade" not living up to expectations? - mr.bear 16:44:34 10/31/04 (3)

I agree with Papa Bear, very well put. /nt\ - MintVinyl 19:23:14 10/31/04 (0)

Re: Turntable "upgrade" not living up to expectations? - Paul Keller 18:44:59 10/31/04 (1)

I would increase the tracking force... - MattC 06:38:20 11/01/04 (0)

You need better cartridge. - sser2 16:08:01 10/31/04 (2)

Re: You need better cartridge. - ckowal 17:09:13 10/31/04 (1)

Yes and no. - sser2 20:54:01 10/31/04 (0)

Re: Turntable "upgrade" not living up to expectations? - lanny 15:03:40 10/31/04 (0)

Like Steve6 said, what do you know about the stylus/cart - Chet 14:55:51 10/31/04 (0)

Re: Turntable "upgrade" not living up to expectations? - westcoasting 14:27:43 10/31/04 (0)

Re: Turntable "upgrade" not living up to expectations? - steve6 13:56:44 10/31/04 (0)

Follow Ups

Re: Turntable "upgrade" not living up to expectations? - Paul Keller 18:44:59 10/31/04 (1)

I would increase the tracking force... - MattC 06:38:20 11/01/04 (0)

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