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Audio Technica AT-LP120USB Super Mod Thread

AnzacSonata said:
But how can that be? When additional weight is dialed in, the counterweight moves FORWARD on the post, towards the pivot point...at least it does on my setup...
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That's true, but you were talking about adding weight to the cartridge end of the tonearm. Doing that will cause the counter weight to need to go further back to get the same tracking force.

Just upping the tracking force will only move it forward only by a tiny bit, and obviously it's not a good idea to run heavier than the manufacturer recommends.
 
beat_truck said:
That's true, but you were talking about adding weight to the cartridge end of the tonearm. Doing that will cause the counter weight to need to go further back to get the same tracking force.
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All I was referring to was adding weight to the tracking by dialing in more via the weight -- this would, of course, cause the weight to move FORWARD, which brings me to...

Just upping the tracking force will only move it forward only by a tiny bit, and obviously it's not a good idea to run heavier than the manufacturer recommends.
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Yes -- that's true. It would only be a little bit, I suppose, and of course it wouldn't be recommended to run the cart heavier than max recommended. However, in the case of the AT95E, I have read online comments by certain owners who have combated sibilance, crackling, popping and other anomalies with this cart by running it ABOVE the max recommended of 2.5 grams -- in fact, some folks have reported success with something around 2.7 to 3.0 grams (though I can't confirm this myself as I never ran mine that high).

That's going into a different subject, though; I suppose the point here is that bringing tracking force up a little would require the counterweight to move forward by a small amount towards the pivot point, which is the achievable goal.
 
If you have heavier headshell and cartridge, you need heavier counter weight because that with heavier front side tonearm, counterweight move to back on its end to balancing tonearm. If you dont have cart what match with tonearm than you need heavier or lighter counterweight to achieve correct tonearm effective mass and its resonant frequency. AT-LP120 TT with AT95E or AT440 MLb cartridge dont need heavier counterweight because that you can match every parameters exactly on right place. Heavier counterweight is on last priority place on that TT. Also, any DD motor have rumble on specific frequency and it depend to number of motor poles but also depends on harmonics from that rumble frequency. If you put tonearm resonant frequency on that harmonics, you have huge audible rumble. Best method to avoid audible rumble is to place tonearm resonant frequency somewhere between that harmonics but worse is to put tonearm resonant frequency at same place where is that rumble harmonics. All of that need measuring with osciloscope ( I have it) or you can use quality soundcard and good audio measure software ( I prefer ARTA).
 
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When you add more weight to the headshell, you have to move the counterweight BACK --> Away from the pivot point to balance it. Suit yourself, folks. Alternative facts.
 
Catching up on all the 95E IGD posts, and now I'm wondering... Which 95E are you running (tip size)? I gave mine a try & hadn't noticed any distortions, other than high(er) tone. Which is not really a distortion, it's just that I prefer warmer & "muffled" sound.

Also, did any of you try with 95EX, and (if yes), did you notice any improvements over the sound quality?
 
I suppose this is far from being a "Super Mod", but I'm planning 3 upgrades to my LP120 setup, with the first one coming up tomorrow. I managed to find the original Technics SL-1200 rubber mat in excellent condition, 6mm thick that's hopefully going to fix VTA issue & keep out unwanted vibrations from the motor.

2nd upgrade is Shure M75, I've been postponing this one for quite some time due to financial priorities, but now I think it's finally the time to fix it up & put M75 where it belongs :) This one will be (hopefully) coming up within the next 2, 3 weeks.

3rd one will be buying external preamp (Little Bear T8, 12V model) something I've been meaning to do for quite some time now. The integrated one works just fine (and no, I have no intention of bypassing it internally), but I wanted to have external one hooked to my setup so that I could test & use all the turntables when & if necessary - even the ones without built-in preamp.
 
Trekkie4 said:
Catching up on all the 95E IGD posts, and now I'm wondering... Which 95E are you running (tip size)? I gave mine a try & hadn't noticed any distortions, other than high(er) tone. Which is not really a distortion, it's just that I prefer warmer & "muffled" sound.

Also, did any of you try with 95EX, and (if yes), did you notice any improvements over the sound quality?
Click to expand...

For me, Trekkie, I'm running the stock 95E that came in the box with the LP120...
 
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