Sansui SR-929 Turntable Issues

[Kevin Appel]

Hi All,

I took my Sansui SR-929 tin for a tune up and put in a new Ortofon 2m Blue and adjusted it. It plays well, but when songs fade out there is a very faint stutter. It can also be heard a bit during play, especially in strings and cymbals or a quiet piano track - a slight static flavor. I took it back to them, and they could’t hear it- It was hard for me to hear there as well, but I should have brought my own familiar albums. Granted it is very very subtle but definitely there. And annoying.

I’ve looked at everything else in my system and the sound isstill there. I even hooked up the turntable to a different system in my studio and it was there albeit less so on that system. Perhaps because of the clarity of my Oberon 5's.

It wouldn’t something to do with the relationship between the Ortofon, the 929 and the phono stage in my Marantz PM6006? Have any of you heard the type of sound I am describing? Very slightly staticy, not totally clear. Sometimes it seems to get worse the longer I play in a single session. Like it starts out better and goes downhill that day. Strange. Should I be looking at a different Integrated?

The trials and tribulations of sound.
Thank you,

Kevin

 

[AudioJag]

What tracking force was set. And how much anti-skate is set. (I've had an SR929 for a very long time, sounds like a cartridge problem)

 

[Kevin Appel]

Hi AudioJag,

Thanks for the quick response. I was thinking it was a possible cartridge problem as well - it does seem like an electrical issue from there. Tracking is at 1.84. I don't have an actual number on the anti-skate, but as you know the deck, the weight is toward the end of the post, with about 1/8" of the post sticking out the back. Does this sound correct?

While we are on this subject, what cartridge do you prefer for this turntable?

Kevin

 

[AudioJag]

Those numbers should be ok..... Have you cleaned the stylus recently? If not, use that unique cheap stylus cleaner "Mr Clean, Magic Erasur".... then test it out.

And are you sure the place you took to for a "tune-Up" set the cartridge alignment to at least a Baerwald protractor? You could do that yourself of course. Also, you may want to get the "HiFi Analogue Test" record and see if the settings are correct.

You have to do your "due diligence" and eliminate issues. You hear it ... that means that it's there. If I can help, let me know.

 

[AudioJag]

While we are on this subject, what cartridge do you prefer for this turntable?

Kevin..... Right now I have a Grado Gold with 8MZ stylus on it. What I prefer on cartridges .... is the one you like the sound of. I know that's subjective.
I haven't used it much lately, but it sounds terrific thru a Marantz 1200 and Klipsch Heresys.

 

[Kevin Appel]

Thanks again. I will keep fiddling with it until I can determine if the cartridge is the culprit. I have cleaned the stylus with a brush, but not a magic eraser. I will try that! I cleaned it with Mofi LP#9 stylus cleaner a couple of times before I had heard that's not a good idea. I am hoping that is not what caused the issue with the sound.

 

[freQ(*)Oddio]

I have had a similiar experience but only by to high of a voltage from a phono preamp to a aux input .

 

[AudioJag]

but not a magic eraser. I will try that!

Kevin.... Be sure to watch one of the youtube videos on the right way to use the magic eraser. I wouldn't want you to damage your stylus or cantilever. Yes.... brushes are not good as far as I'm concerned. Too easy to screw up, and not very effective.

SoundSmith founder Peter Ledermann uses "blue tack".... you can view that in his videos. I've never tried that myself.

 

[Kevin Appel]

Thanks! Having the unit looked at on Friday by another tech. Hopefully get to the bottom of it.