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Is there a problem with my Lyra Delos cartridge?

Last March I upgraded from a Grado Platinum to a Lyra Delos cartridge which was installed by Analogique in Manhattan.My turntable is a VPI HW-19 MK-3 with an Audioquest PT-6 tonearm.After about 120 hours of use I have been getting distortion on certain lps.For example:Last night I wanted to hear Moment's Notice from Coltrane's Blue Train lp(180 gram).This is the second track on side one.So I drop the needle on track two and sound starts distorting at about the 7 minute mark(track is 9:09 minutes),I lift up the needle then lower it onto the lp again and it plays fine.This is not happening on every lp but it is happening quite often.I am tracking at 1.8 which is the Lyra recommendation.I switched phonostages but that does not seem to be the problem.I also put on a new belt but problem persists. Help!!!
montgomery
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rauliruegas
9,123 posts
 
Dear Montgomery: Other what all posted here and especialy J.Carr I want to add this:

today several a lot LPs came with " problems " due toa " poor " quality control and certainly there are many that shows tracking distortions when playback. Things are that many times happen what you are experienced, I mean: one time you have that distortion and the second time you have not: why could be in this way?, through my experiences on cartridge tracking habilities and due to some factors around many times the cartridge can track a " special " groove and suddenly next time does not make it with the same " hability ", tiny/microscopic dust is one of those factors about but there are other ones.

Of course that exist the posibility that could be a cartridge failure but as J.Carr pointed out that posibility is remote one.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
montgomery OP
29 posts
 
Hi Jonathan.Thanks for your response.When I ordered the Lyra I was worried that the Audioquest tonearm would be the weak link.I am thinking about upgrading to the VPI Classic One with the JMW 10.5I tonearm.I guess I could return the Lyra to the online dealer I purchased it from and have them install it on the VPI and they could test it to make sure everything is working properly. I am really impressed with the Delos and having it mounted on a better tonearm would help to maximize performace.Thanks again.
moonglum
605 posts
 
Just a thought - does this happen with only 180g or other weights too? Do you adjust VTA for thicker discs?

You mentioned that you're on the upper limit of VTF for the Delos. Sometimes we can exceed that if VTA is unfavourable? I've certainly exceeded the max on some carts by up to 0.1g (I know a lot of people go even higher than this on some carts) and always wondered if sustained use at heavier forces can distort the suspension permanently, especially in warmer climate, or the User can just cheerfully regress back to lighter VTF after 200 hrs or so...(?)
montgomery OP
29 posts
 
Thanks for your response Moonglum.The distortion has occurred on a variety of lps.I have to make a decision on taking this to Analogique for service or upgrading to the VPI Classic One and the much better JMW tonearm.Thanks again.
jr_w
27 posts
 
As others have mentioned, 1.8g is on the very top end of the recommended VTF range. And VTF on these is pretty particular, like a couple hundredths of a gram making an audible difference.

I'd slack it off to 1.7g and work towards the recommended 1.75g. Mine was happiest at 1.735g on the VPI 10.5i arm, and I can heartily recommend that combo if you decide to go that way. But I'd take a little VTF off it first.
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