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Inner Groove Distortion?

Jnye0526

Jnye0526

New Member
Hello!

So I'm having issues with what I can only imagine is inner groove distortion. Everything gets harsh once the stylus gets a bit more than halfway through the LP. It's making listening to my records almost unbearable. I'm playing on a Debut Carbon with an Ortofon 2m red cart. I've aligned the cart with a protractor and have used a Shure SFG-2 to ensure an accurate tracking weight. I'm wondering if the I'm hearing the limitations of the 2m red and if upgrading to the 2m blue might track better on those inner grooves. Seeing as there are probably an array of reasons for this phenomenon any others suggestions are more than welcome!

Thanks!
 
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Welcome. This usually leads to cart alignment issues, Styli issue(Bent), Or just bad recording of the the LP. Recheck and confirm your set up. The red is a good tracker so I've read. Good luck
 
I never noticed that wih a Red, so I wouldn't think it's a design deficiency. I would think your alignment is off, but you say it's been done, so I dunno.
 
Jnye0526 said:
Hello!

I've aligned the cart with a protractor and have used a Shure SFG-2 to ensure an accurate tracking weight. I'm wondering if the I'm hearing the limitations of the 2m red and if upgrading to the 2m blue might track better on those inner grooves.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Welcome to the AK turn table forum.

The Baerwald protractor should reduce the IGD, a stylus with a finer point such as Micro-Linear, Nude Fine Line will reduce it further. :thumbsup:

Example: Audio Technica AT 440 MLb
https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Techni...503547367&sr=8-1&keywords=at+440mlb+cartridge

or

Ortofon 2M Bronze
https://www.amazon.com/Ortofon-2M-B...=1503547689&sr=8-2&keywords=Ortofon+2M+Bronze
 
When is the last time you replaced the stylus? The closer to the inner grooves the stylus tracks the more information it has to read per inch of travel. When the stylus gets worn it can no longer read the inner grooves effectively. I am sure a cartridge like the 2M Ortofon Red is capable of reading the information on the inner grooves if it is in good condition. The only other possibility is the anti skate is so far out of whack it is causing the problem. Have you tried another cartridge? Did the one you have always have this problem or is this something new.
 
1+ on the Line Contact or Micro Line, but I find them much more critical of your setup. When it is right it is wonderful on a good recording.
 
I have a Def Leppard album which the 2 last tracks on both sides has to be very bad engraved. Its just this one LP I have experienced this. Seems to be too much information, grainy and compressed sound.
 
I have wondered about something mentioned in the linked discussion above, and that is alignment to the body vs to the cantilever.

As observed, cantilevers can sit at a slightly different angle to the body when at rest, and of course they change dynamically as a record plays. I am starting to think that aligning to the body is the correct way because, we can only hope, the suspension mechanism is aligned to the body. Also, when playing, the suspension point is where the force of the cantilever is applied to the body. Further, if the suspension is not transferring forces symmetrical and equal to the body alignment, then all bets are off on successful alignment of the cartridge because that will allow the cantilever to sit askew when being used and aligning to the cantilever instead will not fix this.
 
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