Distortion on records

[Caligurl28]

hello all! This is my first time posting so I apologize in advance if I'm posting this wrong or anything.

First off I have a Technics Sl-B20 turntable with a straight arm and a Audio Technica LS450/LT cartridge needle. I've had this player for a few years and I use it regularly. The needle cake with the turntable so I'm not sure how old it is.

I recently went to play my records and noticed that on the 4 that I played, they all sounded distorted, and the sound was very bad, mufflers or harsh. (I hope that makes sense). I have the Balance set to 1.25 and the anti-skate. I don't think it's that because when I moved it around the sound stayed the same. I checked the hook ups in my receiver and everything seems good.

I bought a new cartridge online because I'm not sure if I could even buy a new needle in a store. I also know that my model needle is an older one (LS450/lt) and I'm not sure what would be complatible besides that.

I've tried cleaning the records and no there is no fuzz on the needle, I tried to clean that too. I am almost certain that is the needle but I'm not expert. Any advice on this? Is there a newer model needle that I could get in a store so I don't have to wait two weeks for shipping? I'm impatient and stressed my baby isn't working right.

Any help would be appreciated!! Thank You!!

 

[HyKlas]

Welcome!

Take a look at the photo below...

Pull the stylus off and see if there's still a decent sized chunk of diamond stuck to the end of the cantilever.

 

[jrtrent]

. . . I am almost certain that is the needle but I'm not expert.

I think you are probably right. When I've gotten harsh, distorted sound, the best guess of the dealer and/or manufacturer was that the stylus was old and the rubber suspension bits had hardened up. In those cases, a new stylus solved the issue. Hopefully, the new cartridge you ordered will cure this problem. By the way, which new cartridge did you buy?

 

[Caligurl28]

Welcome!

Take a look at the photo below...

Pull the stylus off and see if there's still a decent sized chunk of diamond stuck to the end of the cantilever.

Ahhh..mine looks more like a stub haha. It's quite small at any rate. So yea, most likely the stylus than. I did buy a new Audio-Technica LS450/LT cartridge, I'm sure it'll take 2 weeks to get It's there a newer version that I could maybe also get? Should I be using something else? Or a model for my tonearm that will work for 33 and 78? I'm curious if I'd only be able to buy on line anyway Sorry for all the questions. Thank you for the photo.

 

[Caligurl28]

I think you are probably right. When I've gotten harsh, distorted sound, the best guess of the dealer and/or manufacturer was that the stylus was old and the rubber suspension bits had hardened up. In those cases, a new stylus solved the issue. Hopefully, the new cartridge you ordered will cure this problem. By the way, which new cartridge did you buy?

I bought another Audio Technica LS450/LT cartridge because I'm not sure what I could get instead that's compatible. Here's a photo from The site where I purchased it. Also I'm attaching photos of what my current Headcase is..which I understand is old. Due to the fact that my Tonearm is straight, I know that limits me as to what else I could get.

 

[JWinTN]

When's the last time you cleaned the stylus?

 

[Caligurl28]

I tried to whipe it off with a small brush last night, but that didn't seem to help. I am going to try the "magic eraser" trick tonight

 

[JWinTN]

I tried to whipe it off with a small brush last night, but that didn't seem to help. I am going to try the "magic eraser" trick tonight

Hopefully the ME might yield some improvement.

 

[Caligurl28]

I'm hoping also, at least to where I'm able to at least listen to my records. If not I guess I'll just have to wait for the stylus to come in the mail.

 

[911s55]

You mention a stylus to play 33 and 78's, are you doing that currently?

 

[Caligurl28]

You mention a stylus to play 33 and 78's, are you doing that currently?

I had been yes. I recently found out that, that was bad and was like ooohhh crap. So add that to how long I've had the needle and how much I use it..I think I messed it up. When I look at it the stylus looks like a small nub

 

[kaplang]

I tried to whipe it off with a small brush last night, but that didn't seem to help. I am going to try the "magic eraser" trick tonight

You probably know this but just in case.
When you are brushing or magic erasing the stylus only go in the direction twords the front of the head shell. Going to the side or backwards could damage the stylus or the cantilever.

Hope this helps.

 

[welcomdmat]

You look to have a P-mount. That will make it easy to put everything back together.

Until this does or doesn't work, I have had other steps in my system distort the sound with damaged caps and the like. I am not one to replace things until they are properly problematic, but all distorted sound that I've experienced has been hardware issues. If you open you receiver/ amplifer/ semi-integrated rig, and there are colored barrels that look like they are trying to push though the top, you should get a local amplifier tech to check it out. The guys and gals that I've talked to mainly work on guitar amps, so it doesn't need to be a dedicated home stereo wizard.

 

[Caligurl28]

You probably know this but just in case.
When you are brushing or magic erasing the stylus only go in the direction twords the front of the head shell. Going to the side or backwards could damage the stylus or the cantilever.

Hope this helps.

Thank you! I know if you have a brush (which I don't I used one I had laying around maybe that's bad haha good thing I bought one) to only use it from ground to back. I heard with the ME to cut a small section and slowly lower the arm down onto it and that's it.

 

[Caligurl28]

You look to have a P-mount. That will make it easy to put everything back together.

Until this does or doesn't work, I have had other steps in my system distort the sound with damaged caps and the like. I am not one to replace things until they are properly problematic, but all distorted sound that I've experienced has been hardware issues. If you open you receiver/ amplifer/ semi-integrated rig, and there are colored barrels that look like they are trying to push though the top, you should get a local amplifier tech to check it out. The guys and gals that I've talked to mainly work on guitar amps, so it doesn't need to be a dedicated home stereo wizard.

That's a bit much for me haha. I may have to take it into someone if the new stylus doesn't work.

 

[Ken Boyd]

Sometimes a really tough build up can get attached to the stylus, you need a loupe or magnifying glass to see if your really got it clean.

 

[kaplang]

Thank you! I know if you have a brush (which I don't I used one I had laying around maybe that's bad haha good thing I bought one) to only use it from ground to back. I heard with the ME to cut a small section and slowly lower the arm down onto it and that's it.

I have never used an ME but your procedure sounds correct. I do have one just never used it. The stylus brush I have seems to do the trick.

What ever works.

 

[welcomdmat]

I am not trying to be a bit much -- I apologize.

I have not had a needle/ stylus issue, but the folks in my group who have have had "catastrophic" issue. There was not a question about the cause.

 

[Caligurl28]

Sometimes a really tough build up can get attached to the stylus, you need a loupe or magnifying glass to see if your really got it clean.

I will try this, thank you

 

[Caligurl28]

I am not trying to be a bit much -- I apologize.

I have not had a needle/ stylus issue, but the folks in my group who have have had "catastrophic" issue. There was not a question about the cause.

I understand, I appreciate the help. I have never opened her up so to speak. I've had my TT for a couple years, this is the first time I've had distortion issues. I wouldn't know what I was looking at if I did open it and I'm worried I'd mess things up more