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High frequency distortion.

K

Keith SIO

New Member
I am wondering if this is just my cartridge, but there is high frequency distortion on s's by singers and loud cymbals. the cartridge is aligned and set up right but I know it is a bit old. I am getting a new cart for xmas, but I am hoping the cart is the problem not the TT. I have a SL-D2. Everything sounds great but the distortion in the high frequencies.

Thanks for your time.
 
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I believe it is the record. Some records are cut with slightly distorted highs. I've got several examples.
 
Trance88 said:
I believe it is the record. Some records are cut with slightly distorted highs. I've got several examples.
Click to expand...

All of my records are doing this though...except my instrumentals. It is usually just on the vocals on s's. My guess is the Stylus is just worn on this and it can't detail the high frequencies, but I do not know. I can't test other things because this is my first and only TT and I won't have my new cartridge until the end of the month.
 
Keith SIO said:
All of my records are doing this though...except my instrumentals. It is usually just on the vocals on s's. My guess is the Stylus is just worn on this and it can't detail the high frequencies, but I do not know. I can't test other things because this is my first and only TT and I won't have my new cartridge until the end of the month.
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The new cartridge may help, but your LPs may be damaged or your current cartridge may be misaligned. A misaligned cart can cause the damage to your LPs I'm talking about. Make sure your new cartridge is aligned precisely. If feasible, check the vertical alignment NOW (about the vertical axis).
 
Very common problem, some records are hard to track on the high end and last songs on the record. If I may suggest, if you get a new cartrige, a AT-440MLa will be your best bet for the price at minimizing HF distortion. I have been using this model (and previous generations) for 20 years, and it's great in that regard compared with other models in that price range IMHO.
 
I'm having the same issue - actually just logged on to post my progress. Check your vertical tracking alignment, and I'll second what the others said about general cart. setup. Do you have a protractor, scale, etc?
 
jgordon said:
I'm having the same issue - actually just logged on to post my progress. Check your vertical tracking alignment, and I'll second what the others said about general cart. setup. Do you have a protractor, scale, etc?
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I printed out a protractor from the net and it seemed like the alignment was fine, but I think may be the cantilever, it points to the left a little bit which may be the problem. Luckily I haven't really played any of my LPs but old ones as testers. Would this maybe be the problem. And should I maybe be worried about the tonearm on the TT causing this problem? I hope it isn't the Tone Arm.

As for the new cart I am getting, it will be a Grado Black.
 
Grado Black isn't the best choice to solve your problem, they have a bit of a sibilance issue as compared to others in that price bracket. When they were $40 each, they were a value. At $60, not so much. I'd look at some alternatives from Ortofon or Audio Technica instead. A bent cantilever is a bad thing, and your stylus probably is worn as well.
 
I've been having this issue too at times with the V15RS and it's set up properly too. The record it's most noticeable with is a late 70's Waylon Jennings record, an RCA non-Dynaflex/Dynagroove pressing, but still an RCA pressing nonetheless so I guess that just may be the issue right there.
 
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