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Cartridge Tacking Problems - Help please

I have major tonearm/cartridge tracking problems that seems to have gotten worse, leading me to believe there's a problem with the arm. Can anyone suggest what I can/should try to further diagnose the problem?

Here's what it's doing:
On some (becoming many) discs, the cartridge will just skip out of the track, as though there's a scratch, or someone bumped the stand. Changing the anti-skate setting (ie over driving the anti-skate to 2.5) helps a little, but doesn't cure it.

Here's the set-up:
Pink Triangle original table
Audioquest PT6 arm
Signet TK7SU cartridge with new stylus
(the the problem exists also with the old one)
I have no damping fluid in the trough at present

Here's what I've done:
Table is leveled and set up properly
Arm/Cartridge is set up and aligned (and quadruple-checked)
Tracking force is set at 1.75 g, which is the max recommended by Signet. I've always tracked this cartridge at 1.25 g on my old table and it worked beautifully.

thanks in advance!
bdgregory
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,517 posts
 
Bd -- you may be right about the horizontal bearing being sluggish. Possibly from spilled silicon damping fluid like you said, or maybe just dried out lubricant. Test the horizontal swing at zero VTF and NOT on the cuing support. Use a stylus guard to protect the stylus.

Another thing to check is that the tonearm connecting wires are not inhibiting the arm movement. There's tons of info about the PT6 including upgrades. Just go to Google and type "Audioquest PT6" in the search field.
chazzbo
1,006 posts
 
Than again if deicated to keeping rig and happy with it in the main maybe swapping arm out to I dunno,...maybe ubiquitous RB300 by Rega.I only say this because my buddy has had problems with his VPI 19 PT6 and every time he thinks he's gotten it solved it end s up invariable wiith worse problems.,Ask here and sat\ylum genral oppinions on reliablity of AQ arms
chazzbo
dill
815 posts
 
I have the same tonearm on a VPI. I suggest adjusting the vertical tracking angle using the allen screw on the side of the mounting bracket near the plinth. Lower the arm so the bottom plane of the cartridge is very slightly lower in the rear than in the front or if you can see the diamond as it is glued to the cantilever, start with a parallel position and gradually move the tonearm pillar down.
martykl
3,563 posts
 
One more idea. I don't know the PT6, but if the lead out phono cable attaches directly to the arm, check to insure that the cable isn't binding the table's suspension. To check, simply lift the cable as a record plays. If the platter moves, you've got a problem.

good luck.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,152 posts
 
Check to make sure the cueing support platform had cleared all the way under the arm. The arm might be hitting this. These can usually be raised or lowered.
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