Graham Phantom damping fluid level.

My whole point is that you can't leave a message. His voicebox is full. BTW my serial number is 3280. I can't imagine the isues one would have with a low profile cartridge like a 17D3. That thing is very squat.

Hello Ducatirider,
I talked directly with Bob Graham yesterday, (he actually answered the phone) so give it another try. He was on his way to the doctor office so could only talk for a few minutes.
I asked him about the spacers every one is talking about here and he said it really didn't matter if you use it or not other than it is being used with lighter cartridges.

My post about my problem is wrong on my last reply. I am having an issue with anti-skating and not VTA. I use the Denon test record for setting anti-skating. On track 10, about center of the record the track starts to distort on the left speaker before the right speaker. I make adjustments to the anti-skating, but have found that I am at the end or furthest away. The distortion is still off to the left but I cannot make it correct. The noise should come from both speakers at the same time. Bob suggested I increase my tracking weight. The Koetsu settings are 1.8 to 2.0 and I am at 1.95.
What’s bothering me is Bob said I can go up to 3 to 3.4 grams. I am very nervous about setting a $4500.00 cartridge at a higher tracking force than recommended by the manufacturer. I could break the cantilever and be shit out of luck.
Any help on this matter would be appreciated.
I did not have this problem with the 2.2.

Thanks.

Hevac,some test records(I own the Telarc Omni-disc)may not allow for the distortion to "totally" go away.I know my Phantom,using my Omni-disc still exhibits a certain degree of distortion in one channel.I believe we want to shoot for least amount heard,if it cannot be totally eliminated.
What I do,is get familiar with the actual "volume" of the distortion,as well as how long the distortion lasts,timewise.I play the track over,quite a bit,to become familiar.
I voice my arm for lowest volume,and shortest duration of this distortion,but one can always go from "that" point using one's ear,as well as watching the cantilever trace a groove,when viewed from straight ahead(front of cartridge/arm).It should be as vertical as possible,from a frontal view,as a disc spins.
Good luck.

thanks for the response Hevac. I appreciate you reaching out. I hope Bob Graham gets well soon.

I apply the fluid as recommended. If the sound is a bit dull, I use a syringe with an 18 gauge needle to remove a little bit; wait several hours, and repeat until it sounds right. It is not precise, but I wouldn't obsess on the fluid level. There has to be a point that we enjoy listening to the darn thing.

Congratulations to Sirspeedy on the aquisition of his new tonearm.