VPI Classic and ZYX 4D

thank you very much for your comments.
Based on what you said I will let the cartridge loosen up for anther 20hrs (i.e. 2-3 weeks or less hopefully)

BTW the sound has changed quite a bit in these last 5 hrs.
I think I am up to 25-28hrs so it is too early.

The only thing I am concerned though is the tracking force I am dialing in.
I had increased it up to 2.35gr right now and it seems to be better on the tracking test in fact that's how I get the 14dB's.
Listening shows a better tracking and more details although a bit less of air but all in all very balanced.

I don't hear any mistracking except with the harmonia mundi's.
I will put that record back in in a couple of weeks and see what's changed.

BTW What is the tracking force that worked the best for you?

Hfisher,

that sounds strange though.
If you have sme V and antiskate on you should be able to pass at least the first two tracks.
I don't know about the third.
I personally don't hear any mistracking anymore after the last regulation.

Please check better you alignment with MintLP, because you should be able to easily pass the 12dB and also the 14dB's one.

I have read that 100hrs are required for the cartridge to fully brake in.

But anyways I am sure your cartridge is not defective and neither is your tonearm, so I assume you should check better your alignment and the VTF/AS's combo.

Do you have an oscilloscope to scope the output taken from your phono's output?
Last, have you checked your azimuth with a precise DVM and track n.5 of side 2?
That is important too.

I live in Wisconsin if perhaps we are close that would be cool.

P.S. eheheh I just saw from your profile that you are from Canada .... never mind them :)

I agree with you - it doesn't seem right. As I've said I've checked, rechecked etc everything. I'm currently tracking at 2g with antiskate set to 2g. It does better on the tracking test with heavier VTF and more antiskate - for e.g. 2.5g and 3 of antiskate - but then the overall sound isn't as good. Most user comments I've found seem to suggest somewhere between 1.8 and 2g gives the nicest sound with this line of ZYX cartridges so I've compromised on 2g. I just hope that things do eventually "settle in".

As for azimuth, unfortunately the SME arms don't have any real azimuth adjustment so no real room to play with this. However earlier this week I did have a "consultant" with some fancy kind of measure and my azimuth appears bang on. Besides, I find it hard to believe that improper azimuth would affect tracking to that degree.

Anyways, I still am in the dark about exactly what is going on...

Yeah it won't affect that much, I do agree.
What affect the most is the VTF/AS.
It is really strange though.

I can tell you right now: it is not a matter of brake in if you don't track the first nor the second (12dB, 14dB)
I bet you have distortion.
I had some little distortion too when I didn't have the AS right at least for the 12dB's.
After I got that one going the improvement was huge.
I will probably try to re-lower the VTF down to 2gr though and see...not sure yet