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Grain/Distortion heard on Inner 1/4 of LP

I've been adjusting this and that with my new Clearaudio Emotion/Virtuoso setup, and I thought I had things tuned in pretty well, but now all the albums I listen to exhibit pretty bad distortion when listening to the inner 1/4 of an LP. Up until that point, everything sounds clean and superb. I've meticulously realigned my cart several times and adjusted overhang to the point where I don't think it could be any better when using the naked eye. I also raised my VTA to assist in dynamic and bass response.

I was told to solve this problem I need to adjust my VTF, but I've been messing around with that too and can't seem to get the distortion to go away. I've played with anti-skate as well, but the distortion is coming evenly from both channels, so I don't believe that is the issue.

Have any of you experienced this problem? Is this a cartridge alignment issue, VTA, VTF, etc.? What have you guys done to resolve this?

Thanks
jwglista
jwglista OP
205 posts
 
I would assume that a Clearaudio Virtuoso was made to match with a Clearaudio Satisfy tonearm. When I received the table, the tail end of the tonearm was low, but I raised the VTA to make it parallel. Maybe that's one of the issues. Although I did notice an improvement in sound when I adjusted the VTA.

I've printed several charts from the Conrad Hoffman alignment program, but I'm not even sure which one to use. There are standards for DIN, IEC, and "Typical". It will be interesting to see which of these alignment charts closely matches the chart that was provided by Clearaudio. Any suggestions on which one should be used?
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Spend the money and buy a Mint LP.

Its' cost represents only a small fraction of your total analog investment.
jwglista OP
205 posts
 
I don't really see a need to spend $110 right off the bat when there are free alignment tools out there. The Conrad Hoffman tool seems very nice. I'm going to try that tonight, but I still don't know which standard for inner and outer groove radius should be used (DIN, EIC, etc.). A MintLP has to go by only one of those standards.

If I am still unsuccessful with these tools, then I may consider a MintLP. But until then....
roblanger
116 posts
 
Jwglista,

I've used the Geodisc and the protractor that comes with the Hi-Fi News test record. Gets you close....

I have experienced some of the symptoms that you have described with my Marantz/Clearaudio TT.

I will be purchasing a Mint soon :)
ducatirider
101 posts
 
I would start with 222mm as the pivot to spindle distance and Lofgren B since you have inner groove distortion and leave the rest as default. The arc is customized for your geometry. After this, I would work on VTA. You can fold a piece of fine gragh paper to rough horizontal as a starting point and then do the rest by ear. BTW where is your dealer in all this? Did you buy this online?
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