Technics SL D2 skips on first half of records, second half fine.

[yazflt]

I'm having an issue with an SL D2 I picked up this past week.

When I cue anywhere on the first half of the record, it skips. If I cue further into the record, it plays without issue.

I've already zeroed the tonearm and adjusted the downforce to the recommend weight for the cartridge it has.

The stylus overhang is 52mm, as per manufacturer recommendation.

The table is level.

Any ideas on what may be causing the issue?

 

[oldman54]

Try adding more anti-skate force. Those numbers are just a suggestion. Also many generic or old stylus need a little more tracking weight than recommended. It's also possible that something is binding on the arm.

 

[pyoung272]

Also is the cue lift bar clearing the bottom of the tonearm?

 

[beat_truck]

Try adding more anti-skate force.

That would just be a band aid. Some highly regarded 'tables don't have A/S at all and track just fine.

I agree to check the clearance on the cueing bar or maybe the auto return mechanism is hanging up.

 

[Thunderbox]

Have you cleaned the stylus.

 

[zebra03]

I had a SL-D2 that skipped in the same place all the time . I fiddled with it until I was blue . I finally took it apart and kept the pieces for an another art project .

Then I got 2 of these .

 

[T68]

Also: how old is the stylus? If it came with the TT it can be hard to know usage and condition.

It also sounds like something can be up with the tonearm. A test is to balance it with no antiskate so it floats freely and then blow on it to see how it travels towards the spindle. This test may the reveal if something is binding / obstructing the travel of the arm (bad bearing, cables for example).

 

[peerson]

I would recommend that you check to see if your tone arm wires are binding up. I had this issue with my Garrard TT.

 

[gadget73]

try stacking 2 records. If that fixes the problem its probably touching the lift bar. If no change, wires being bound up is probably the answer.

 

[Tom6to1]

Had a similar problem twice. Check the lift bar (it will be a subtle difference so hard to spot). That was on an SL-D20 so similar to your turntable.

The other time the problem for me was with the install of the KAB fluid damper on an SL-1200. It did not quite sit properly (for some reason) and the paddle in the fluid reservoir was keeping the stylus off the record. I expect I did something not quite right on install since I don't think I have heard anyone else having that problem.

 

[Hajidub]

Buy a cheap digital gauge from Amazon. Your dialed in TF might be off by more than you think. Also are you sure the table is completely leveled?