Technics SL1200 MK2 w/ Grado Prestige blue cartridge

newbie308

I was listening to some Led Zeppelin IV on vinyl last night when I started hearing a strange wavering in the sound and then pop the needle skipped. I'm scratching my head because I have never experienced this before. I Cued the record to the same track and it did it again. I let the record play the entire side and found that it has this symptom only on the first and last track. I examined the arm while playing to make sure that the record was not running out or warped, and it was not in either case. When the needle approaches the problem areas, I can see the cartridge start to oscillate back and forth over the needle until it jumps a groove, and then it plays just fine from that point on. I checked the tracking force, the anti skate, and the alignment (I used the Vinyl engine printout for the Technics) but the problem persists. I guess I should try another record, but by the time I did the checks that I mentioned, it was bed time for Bonzo. Has anyone here experienced this symptom? What resolved the problem?

ZLTFUL

I would hazzard to say you are on the right track with the album itself.
Typically a cartridge or arm issue is going to be constant.
Try out another album and if the issue persists on another album, look to issues with the lift mechanism at those points in the arm travel.

Erik Tracy

Sounds like something may be funky with the anti-skate.

Definitely try another record.

Try dialing down the anti-skate but leave the VTF alone - try that on the problem sections.

You may also want to post this on audiokarma.org in the TT section: there is a SL1200 thread with some sharp folks who may be able to help as well.

[Deleted User]

Hello,
It is possible the resonant frequency of the arm/cartridge may be too high, putting it in the region of low bass on the record. One approach would be to increase the moving mass by adding a small weight underneath the headshell (many cartridges came with weights) then re-balance the arm keeping the tracking force the same. Then try playing the same passages.
Regards, Ken

newbie308

Kenneth Swauger wrote: »

Hello,
It is possible the resonant frequency of the arm/cartridge may be too high, putting it in the region of low bass on the record. One approach would be to increase the moving mass by adding a small weight underneath the headshell (many cartridges came with weights) then re-balance the arm keeping the tracking force the same. Then try playing the same passages.
Regards, Ken

Kind of what I was thinking. I do have 2gram and 4 gram weights that came with the head shell. I think that I will give this a try when I get home from work. Thanks Ken! I will definitely try another record as well.