What Paraneer said. Assuming you did have the good sense to re-set VTF after adding the nickel to your headshell, the results you got suggest that there was a priori a mismatch between the effective mass of the tonearm and the compliance of either or both of the cartridges in question. (Because adding the nickel would dramatically increase tonearm effective mass.) It would be a good idea to find out what those parameters are for your equipment and to then determine whether this is a possible explanation. If there is no issue of compliance/effective mass mismatch, then possibly you need to remove the nickel and start over with setting up the alignment and VTF. (A quality VTF gauge is a good investment for anyone interested in vinyl.) This cure could be worse than the disease in the long run, for your LPs.
VPI Traveler - nickel on the headshell worked wonders!
Hi everyone,
I've been trying to get my VPI Traveler dialed in for a few weeks now. It sounds ok, but I was getting quite a bit of sibilance and distortion on highly modulated passages. I tried both a Grado Reference Sonata 1 and a Dynavector 10x5 (the Dynavector had been recommended in a couple of different reviews/articles). I tried different phono amps, different speakers, different cables, even different racks, and there was still something that seemed off. I figured I probably had something misaligned, being a relatively new to vinyl.
After searching the forums I saw the recommendation of putting a nickel on the headshell. Even though I assumed my cartridge/arm match was fairly good, I gave it a shot. HOLY S--T! The sound became full and rich. The highs were controlled and extended. Sibilance sounded natural and in control. Clearly, I needed more mass on the tonearm.
I wouldn't have expected this much improvement if had upgraded several components. I was thinking that the sound I was getting was just what a $1500 turntable sounded like, and I was searching the adds for an upgrade. Now, I think I can rest easy with the cheapest tweak I've ever tried. Nice when things take a big step in the right direction. I thought my experience might help others in a similar situation.
Happy listening!
Scott
I've been trying to get my VPI Traveler dialed in for a few weeks now. It sounds ok, but I was getting quite a bit of sibilance and distortion on highly modulated passages. I tried both a Grado Reference Sonata 1 and a Dynavector 10x5 (the Dynavector had been recommended in a couple of different reviews/articles). I tried different phono amps, different speakers, different cables, even different racks, and there was still something that seemed off. I figured I probably had something misaligned, being a relatively new to vinyl.
After searching the forums I saw the recommendation of putting a nickel on the headshell. Even though I assumed my cartridge/arm match was fairly good, I gave it a shot. HOLY S--T! The sound became full and rich. The highs were controlled and extended. Sibilance sounded natural and in control. Clearly, I needed more mass on the tonearm.
I wouldn't have expected this much improvement if had upgraded several components. I was thinking that the sound I was getting was just what a $1500 turntable sounded like, and I was searching the adds for an upgrade. Now, I think I can rest easy with the cheapest tweak I've ever tried. Nice when things take a big step in the right direction. I thought my experience might help others in a similar situation.
Happy listening!
Scott
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- 9 posts total
- 9 posts total