needle problem

I am not sure from your description if either the front or back has dropped down, or whether both have, but another cause could be that the VTA (vertical tracking angle) has shifted. It could be that the VTA adjustment, if there is one, could have slipped, letting the back of the cartridge down. Also, regarding the tracking force, some tonearms have a graduated VTF (vertical tracking force) scale on the counterweight on the opposite end of your tonearm. If you can adjust it, you might try reducing the VTF slightly to see how it affects cartridge height and how LP's are tracked. Is the needle now skipping and has the sound changed since you noticed the changes in cartridge height?

The key word is "suddenly". He then said (noticed) "the cartridge sits lower in respects to the distance between it and the record." He most likely didn't also notice that the stylus *suddenly* retracted into the cartridge ;-) VTA shift? No, that wouldn't bring the cartridge closer to the record. Suspension failure? Possible, but wouldn't happen *suddenly* unless the user dropped the stylus hard or dragged it across the record (probably bend the cantilever first.) VTF shift? Probably. Counterweight inadvertantly shifted forward, or fell off the end of the arm without anyone noticing (don't laugh, it happens!)

sounds like damage to me

question: how much deflection occurs when the arm is set on the record at the appropriate VTF? There shouldn't be more than a mm or so.

Thanks for the responses.

THe TT is a Rega Planar 25, with a Dynavector DV-20XH cart. I say "suddenly" in that it hadn't be doing that before, and then I noticed it. Whether it was gradual, or truely, sudden, I don't know.

Right now I have the needle off to take to a local vinyl dealer who is somewhat knowledgable about TT fixes, though he is doubtful he can diagnose a needle problem. (unfortunatly, I am mechanically deficient.)

I will check the VTF when I get it back on so make sure it is still ~ 2 grams, and check back soon.

... also, I don't beleive my TT has VTA adjustment. Right? :)

I'll check up on that too.