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Distortion with new Pro-ject Primary Klipsch

M

monolith85

New Member
Hi, I recently bought a Pro-ject Primary Klipsch turntable, the basic model without the phono preamp. It's new and supposedly it needs no set-up, but I listen a lot of distortion in the middles I think. I can hear it even at low volume. The voice and highs sounds clear, but the middles sound like a poor radio signal. The ploblem varies intensity from record to record (all new or barely used), but I think it gets worse from the second or third tracks of all records. On a couple of records it even skips inwards a lot. I'm using a Yamaha rvx 496 receiver with a Technics SB 2855 3 way speakers. The turntable is level and away from the speakers. I realigned the stylus with the paper protractor included with the TT but the problem persists. I have cleaned well a couple of records to see if the problem was just dust, but I hear no difference in the distortion. I just ordered a digital stylus force gauge to check if it's properly adjusted because this TT model has no indicator whatsoever. The receiver sounds great with other inputs, like a CD, so I wonder if the phono stage has something to do with the problem, but I have no way to test it. I bought the TT in the USA, but I live in Mexico, so the warranty is pretty much useless. I think that's all, any help is welcome.
 
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Definitely sounds like the cart needs to be setup properly VTA (if possible) and certainly the tracking force VTF + anti-skating - you need to be able to determine that especially if the arm isn't marked (wait for the scale to arrive.)

I'd try both Stevenson/bearwald methods - and also make sure the arm moves freely w/o binding or sticking on anything.

Sounds like it probably needs more tracking force as it reaches the inner grooves. VTF is very important - to light could be a reason why the stylus skips when you reach the middle.
 
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rebellovw said:
Definitely sounds like the cart needs to be setup properly VTA (if possible) and certainly the tracking force VTF + anti-skating - you need to be able to determine that especially if the arm isn't marked (wait for the scale to arrive.)

I'd try both Stevenson/bearwald methods - and also make sure the arm moves freely w/o binding or sticking on anything.

Sounds like it probably needs more tracking force as it reaches the inner grooves. VTF is very important - to light could be a reason why the stylus skips when you reach the middle.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the respond! The arm moves freely, without sticking or binding. For now I'll wait for the scale and see what the actual tracking force is. I'm not familiar with the VTA, is it when you try to put the stylus in a 90º angle?

edit: by the way, the cartridge is an Ortofon OM 5e
 
monolith85 said:
Thanks for the respond! The arm moves freely, without sticking or binding. For now I'll wait for the scale and see what the actual tracking force is. I'm not familiar with the VTA, is it when you try to put the stylus in a 90º angle?

edit: by the way, the cartridge is an Ortofon OM 5e
Click to expand...
Sure thing. Not all turntables allow VTA changes. VTA is than angle of the arm (it can slow upwards or downwards) - ideally when the arm is over the album and the needle is in a track the arm tube "should be" pretty much parallel with the album surface - basically the bottom of the cart should look pretty much parallel "natural" with the album (and not jacked up in the front nor jacked up in back.) I'd probably not worry about the VTA - it is most likely fixed on your table.
 
I just aligned the cartridge and I'm hearing a lot of improvement, there's still distortion but more random and a lot less than before. I hope it gets better when I get the digital force gauge, but so far I'm very happy this worked. The cartridge was like one degree or less out of alignment, I can't believe that made so much distortion. Thank you guys for the suggestions, I let you know when the scale arrives :)
 
monolith85 said:
I just aligned the cartridge and I'm hearing a lot of improvement, there's still distortion but more random and a lot less than before. I hope it gets better when I get the digital force gauge, but so far I'm very happy this worked. The cartridge was like one degree or less out of alignment, I can't believe that made so much distortion. Thank you guys for the suggestions, I let you know when the scale arrives :)
Click to expand...

Glad to read about the improvement. :thumbsup:

Looking forward to future reports.
 
hi again! The digital gauge finally arrive :) It turns out that the force was too high, 2.5 instead of 1.75 recommended for the cartridge. So I made the adjustment and voilà, no distortion :) Thank you guys, I really appreciate your help with this, finally I'l be able to enjoy my TT properly.
 
This doesn't say much for Pro-ject's "plug and play, we set it up for you" approach......

P.S. - I just looked at the customer reviews at Amazon - you don't seem to be the only one.
 
vinyl1 said:
This doesn't say much for Pro-ject's "plug and play, we set it up for you" approach......

P.S. - I just looked at the customer reviews at Amazon - you don't seem to be the only one.
Click to expand...
plug and play my ........ hehe, but with a little help it sounds great finally :)
 
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