Great Tonearm/Cartridge Setup Record
hearingimpared
Posts: 21,137
I use an old (1982) Shure Audio Obstacle Course (V15 type V) record to check the following:
1. Cartridge Phasing
2. Speaker Phasing
3. Skating Compensation Setting
4. Channel Balancing
5. Trackability Tests
6. Resonance Test
I have numerous test records but this one is the simplest to use and is pretty darn accurate.
When I first setup a turntable I use this record then every 2 to 3 months I run it again to see if the cartridge has changed its compliance and adjustments need to be made.
I used it tonight in that it has been about two months since I got my TT rig up. I've had to adjust the balance (probably because of my bad ear), increase the tracking by .2 gms and set the anti-skating back .2 . I've found that the cartridge/tonearm resonant frequency has remained the same so the change in the springyness of the stylus had no affect on the resonance. It resonates around 3 to 5 hz. which causes the 13hz frequency to be disturbed but who cares, I can't and probably most human beings can't hear that low plus that resonance will cause the tonearm to look as if it is slightly jumping up and down so because nothing goes down that low that resonant frequency is a good sign. It will not have an effect while playing most of my records.
I've listened to a record before I played the test record and the same one after and had made the adjustments. There is an improvement in image depth and detail and the upper midrange and treble is not smeared as it had become.
This is a great and simple record to use for turntable set up. If you can get your hands on it or something similiar I fully recommend it.:)
1. Cartridge Phasing
2. Speaker Phasing
3. Skating Compensation Setting
4. Channel Balancing
5. Trackability Tests
6. Resonance Test
I have numerous test records but this one is the simplest to use and is pretty darn accurate.
When I first setup a turntable I use this record then every 2 to 3 months I run it again to see if the cartridge has changed its compliance and adjustments need to be made.
I used it tonight in that it has been about two months since I got my TT rig up. I've had to adjust the balance (probably because of my bad ear), increase the tracking by .2 gms and set the anti-skating back .2 . I've found that the cartridge/tonearm resonant frequency has remained the same so the change in the springyness of the stylus had no affect on the resonance. It resonates around 3 to 5 hz. which causes the 13hz frequency to be disturbed but who cares, I can't and probably most human beings can't hear that low plus that resonance will cause the tonearm to look as if it is slightly jumping up and down so because nothing goes down that low that resonant frequency is a good sign. It will not have an effect while playing most of my records.
I've listened to a record before I played the test record and the same one after and had made the adjustments. There is an improvement in image depth and detail and the upper midrange and treble is not smeared as it had become.
This is a great and simple record to use for turntable set up. If you can get your hands on it or something similiar I fully recommend it.:)
Post edited by hearingimpared on
Comments
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Gee!! All that!! I thought you just hit the remote, the drawer opens, you put the record in, hit the remote, the drawer closes & whallah!! you have glorious music. Did I forget anything? LOL!!!:eek:"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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Cool info, I've been eyeing the Cardas setup LP.
So far, for skating, tracking, and resonance - all I've ever used is Dire Straits Brothers in Arms 180g - track 1, side 1 - So Far Away.
If your needle doesn't literally fly off the record on that bassline, you're tracking pretty well.
Actually, it's a stellar track (album) to show of a cart that does track exceptionally well, like your Dynavector.
Cheers,
RussCheck your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service. -
I actually can't believe that I don't have a setup record yet. I guess I've been stalling.
The HiFi News test record is supposed to be one of the better ones available new today. Russ, my brother has both the Cardas and the HiFi News. He told me if I'm just going to get one, get the HiFi news. The Cardas does have a cool "demagnitizing" track though.For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
RuSsMaN wrote:Cool info, I've been eyeing the Cardas setup LP.
So far, for skating, tracking, and resonance - all I've ever used is Dire Straits Brothers in Arms 180g - track 1, side 1 - So Far Away.
If your needle doesn't literally fly off the record on that bassline, you're tracking pretty well. Actually, it's a stellar track (album) to show of a cart that does track exceotionally well, like your Dynavector.
Cheers,
Russ
You got that right Bro! It did show that I needed to add just a tad more down force to get the anti-skating right I think because the cartridge is finally settled in. The sixth tracking test was grueling and it just lightly smeared but didn't jump so I added the .2gm and viola perfect. According to the guy on the record most cartridges can't make it through the test without mistracking. You are correct the Dynavector did. Now where's that Dire Straits 180gm baby I have hidden around here??? -
pearsall001 wrote:Gee!! All that!! I thought you just hit the remote, the drawer opens, you put the record in, hit the remote, the drawer closes & whallah!! you have glorious music. Did I forget anything? LOL!!!:eek:
Ah ya lazy bastage, go buy the $19,000 laser turntable so you can continue to hear your digital glare, finger nail across the blackboard, glassing breaking CDs. LOL :eek: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA:D
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billbillw wrote:I actually can't believe that I don't have a setup record yet. I guess I've been stalling.
The HiFi News test record is supposed to be one of the better ones available new today. Russ, my brother has both the Cardas and the HiFi News. He told me if I'm just going to get one, get the HiFi news. The Cardas does have a cool "demagnitizing" track though.
Okay, ya think I should come up to the new millenium analog stuff??? LOL -
hearingimpared wrote:Ah ya lazy bastage, go buy the $19,000 laser turntable so you can continue to hear your digital glare, finger nail across the blackboard, glassing breaking CDs. LOL :eek: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA:D
Yeah, but then I'd miss all the hisses, pops, ticks, grundge, & lack luster sound from those antique thingies spinning around on that there flywheel contraption that's about 50 years out dated. LOL!!:cool: Out with the old & in with the new I say!!"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
pearsall001 wrote:Yeah, but then I'd miss all the hisses, pops, ticks, grundge, & lack luster sound from those antique thingies spinning around on that there flywheel contraption that's about 50 years out dated. LOL!!:cool: Out with the old & in with the new I say!!
Lack luster? oh yeah I forgot to tell you when you were here that your ears looked like you were growing potatos in them . . . Q-tips the latest in audiophile tweaks LOL:D :eek:
The hisses, pops and ticks were the hair growing in your ears! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA -
hearingimpared wrote:Okay, ya think I should come up to the new millenium analog stuff??? LOL
Nah, I wouldn't bother. I was just making a suggestion if anyone wants to buy a new test record. I'm sure the Shure (ha) is just fine. Problem is finding them used. They sell sometimes on Ebay, but you never know the condition of what your getting.For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
billbillw wrote:Nah, I wouldn't bother. I was just making a suggestion if anyone wants to buy a new test record. I'm sure the Shure (ha) is just fine. Problem is finding them used. They sell sometimes on Ebay, but you never know the condition of what your getting.
Yeah but now you've got me lusting over a demagnetizing track!!!:rolleyes: -
hearingimpared wrote:Lack luster? oh yeah I forgot to tell you when you were here that your ears looked like you were growing potatos in them . . . Q-tips the latest in audiophile tweaks LOL:D :eek:
The hisses, pops and ticks were the hair growing in your ears! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Well, what'd you expect. Buy the time you got around to actually putting the damn LP on, no wonder I had **** growing out my ears. It was like a 20 minute ritual before you had the thing playing. It was fun though. Hey, you missed a great time today at Steve's place. We'll hook up another time. He's got some great new gear in. WOW!!! He's got a special going on too, anyone buying a TT gets an antique cobweb to go with it.:p"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
pearsall001 wrote:Well, what'd you expect. Buy the time you got around to actually putting the damn LP on, no wonder I had **** growing out my ears. It was like a 20 minute ritual before you had the thing playing. It was fun though. Hey, you missed a great time today at Steve's place. We'll hook up another time. He's got some great new gear in. WOW!!! He's got a special going on too, anyone buying a TT gets an antique cobweb to go with it.:p
Man I soooo wanted to go with you today. Phyllisann never got back home until after six and the little guy got back from school early so it's a good thing I didn't chance going. It looks like you got back around 3:30.
I'm really jonesing to go to that place. -
hearingimpared wrote:Man I soooo wanted to go with you today. Phyllisann never got back home until after six and the little guy got back from school early so it's a good thing I didn't chance going. It looks like you got back around 3:30.
I'm really jonesing to go to that place.
I had Maria with me on Sat. (took her radio in for repair) & she was really jamming with the AAD 2003's. I don't know, I'll have to work on her to maybe bring them home for a trial. They left her speechless!! man that says a lot!:o"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
hearingimpared wrote:Lack luster? oh yeah....
Sweet jebus, you vinyl guys are really excitable about your old technology.:p
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 * -
SCompRacer wrote:Sweet jebus, you vinyl guys are really excitable about your old technology.:p
A man after my own heart!!"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
