Help with new Cartridge/Headshell pt.2

[newcolors]

Hi guys~
I have a Technics SL 1600 with an S shaped tone arm and I am in the midst of installing a new cartridge and headshell and am running into a few issues:

1. The manual for the SL 1600 says to use an overhang gauge when installing new cartridge. Should I still do this with the 2m red and Sh4 headshell?
2. I am not sure which protractor to use. I downloaded the Technics specific protractor from the tools over at vinyl engine however when tracking the stylus along point C to C', the tonearm/stylus is not able to make it to the second point. On the technics specific protractor it says that this could be because either my tonearm is not mounted at 215mm or that the headshell slots are not long enough in which case I should use another protractor e.g. the stevenson.

What are your guys' thoughts? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Cheers.

 

[newcolors]

for the moment I have used the technics overhang gauge of 52mm to set as close as I can without a protractor..

 

[Montycat]

That's the right thing to do. Use that alignment which is similar to Stevenson for now. You might not need any other method.

 

[newcolors]

That's the right thing to do. Use that alignment which is similar to Stevenson for now. You might not need any other method.

Right~ because as I understand, the technics 52mm overhang gauge gets you set up pretty close to Stevenson alignment, correct? The sound is pretty good, however the only issue I am having is that it will randomly skip now and then...? I have it tracking at 1.8grams, I wonder if I should up it a smudge? Thank you for the help =]

 

[Montycat]

The skipping shouldn't be alignment related. Are your records clean and flat? Crud and warps are bad things.

Check the tracking force again and set it near the high end of the range for the cartridge specs. Higher is better than lower if tracking improves.

 

[newcolors]

The skipping shouldn't be alignment related. Are your records clean and flat? Crud and warps are bad things.

Check the tracking force again and set it near the high end of the range for the cartridge specs. Higher is better than lower if tracking improves.

I have been playing mostly new records so I think it is the tracking force.. I may up it just a bit over..

 

[sreten]

Hi,

The Ortofon Red should track absolutely fine at a correctly set 1.8g and correct antiskate.

rgds, sreten.

 

[newcolors]

Hi,

The Ortofon Red should track absolutely fine at a correctly set 1.8g and correct antiskate.

rgds, sreten.

Thanks for this~ So it seems to track fine... but randomly seems very sensitive to the slightest bump causing a skip, which was not a problem before. I have pads under the table to absorb any shock, so I wonder if I am either setting the weight/balance incorrectly or if it is an alignment issue?

 

[Bugler]

Make sure the turntable is absolutely level. The 52mm gauge is a big help but you still need to align the cartridge including azimuth. Sort of a bit of extra work but very worthwhile.

 

[Balifly]

Thanks for this~ So it seems to track fine... but randomly seems very sensitive to the slightest bump causing a skip, which was not a problem before. I have pads under the table to absorb any shock, so I wonder if I am either setting the weight/balance incorrectly or if it is an alignment issue?

Sound like a problem with "foot fall".

The springs build into the feet of the Technics SL-1600/1700 turn table are adjustable.

You will need a 7 mm deep socket wrench though.

See the manuals: http://www.vinylengine.com/library/technics/sl-1600.shtml

 

[sreten]

Thanks for this~ So it seems to track fine... but randomly seems very sensitive to the slightest bump causing a skip, which was not a problem before.
I have pads under the table to absorb any shock, so I wonder if I am either setting the weight/balance incorrectly or if it is an alignment issue?

Hi,

I believe it has the double isolation system and the pads should be completely unnecessary.

Poor support is poor support though. The set up though should be checked to make sure
the floating part of the suspension is floating properly in the middle of movement range.

rgds, sreten.

 

[newcolors]

Sound like a problem with "foot fall".

The springs build into the feet of the Technics SL-1600/1700 turn table are adjustable.

You will need a 7 mm deep socket wrench though.

See the manuals: http://www.vinylengine.com/library/technics/sl-1600.shtml

Thanks! I think it is a problem with foot fall and perhaps suspension~ Aside from the random occasional bump it actually sounds awesome.

Hi,

I believe it has the double isolation system and the pads should be completely unnecessary.

Poor support is poor support though. The set up though should be checked to make sure
the floating part of the suspension is floating properly in the middle of movement range.

rgds, sreten.

Hi, could you elaborate on "floating part of the suspension is floating properly in the middle of movement range" please? I am very new at this still and this is me learning thanks so much for all your help.

One other issue that has come up is when I initially turn on my receiver on phono, there is now a moment of distortion at the very start of turning it on for a couple seconds before quieting down as the tonearm sets on the record. After that it sounds fine, and once its on there are no issues with sound in that regard, but the first moment I turn on the receiver there is noise.. Has anyone encountered this?

Thank you for your help!

 

[sreten]

Hi,

As I understand it for Technics dual suspensions it works like this :

The feet are directly connected to the plinth and lid.

The whole bassplate under the plinth, the arm motor and platter are in
a separate section floating on springs co-located within the plinths feet.

Which means if you press down on the arm bearing it will move
down, if you pull up it should move up. Similar pressing on the
platter it should move down, and lifting it should move up.

Ir should be adjusted to the middle of this range of movement
to work properly. If its misadjusted its not floating and will be
binding / shorting the suspension. Needless to say start off
making sure the plinth is level. Then adjust the platter to be
level with the plinth with the best range of movement.

rgds, sreten.

The really keen DIY types would thoroughly investigate
the details of the suspension and perhaps free it up more.

 

[newcolors]

Hi guys, thanks so much for all the guidance this past week. Just thought I would give a quick update. I have identified and corrected 3 major issues:
1: I did not see this at first but my finger handle on my headshell was touching my dustshell on the way back and was causing issues - i have rectified this with a small space provider between the plinth and dustshell.
2. Two of the wires of my cartridge were hanging low and bumping on the record - I believe this was causing any distorted sounds and sensitive skips on otherwise new records. Fixing this changed a lot.
3. Lastly I purchased a mirrored protractor and finally got myself spot on aligned. The over hang got me close, very close. But as it turns out even the slightest titch of an adjustment makes a big difference.
Thank you guys!

 

[majick47]

newcolors two points, first follow the tables owners manual to the letter, the manual is available for free on Vinyl Engine if you don't have it. Second is unless the table is on a solid level foundation your guaranteed problems, one of the best/cheapest solutions is a DIY wall shelf or used vintage commercial turntable wall shelf. Barring the ability to use a wall shelf due to renting an apartment check the local thrift stores for older heavy/solid/well built tables/stands/cabinets that will cost next to nothing. Forget about glass shelved AV audio stands. Technics overhang gauges are available from KAB or check Ebay, also get a cheap digital scale and a level.