Hey
@Parallax982......I sense just a bit of frustration perhaps creeping into this effort and just want to encourage you to take heart, maybe take a step back too, and you will surely succeed in making this a successful adventure! Especially with the fine assistance of the good folks here who have already provided you with much great information. Your approach is very sound and thoughtful, which is needed in matters such as this because as you say, there aren't a lot of pros available and even when you can find one the price of the service is typically discouraging for those sensitive to monetary outlays. You'll see, it will all come together for you in due time. There are lots of threads on AK that will help you with more specific tasks if and when you find it necessary to move in those directions. There is a literal "universe" of information, for instance, regarding setup of the table, the arm and the cartridge that will make fine-tuning things much less intimidating and I dare say.....FUN! The more you do, the more many find it interesting and intriguing to arrive at the best possible outcome with your turntable......so, carry on, amigo, and have some of that fun!!!
PS - The "scratchy" sound will not likely go away by dusting or using any form of liquid cleaner that you might apply to a brush and then attempt cleaning the record with that, especially if they are caused by physical damages to the record which are typically not resolvable and will cause the pops and ticks you are hearing. You might lower the noise a bit though because the liquid could conceivably, amongst a other things, lower the static electricity that has built up on the record somewhat, but for true cleaning......well, that's a whole 'nuther "universe" that you can choose, or not, to enter should you become sufficiently enamored with the playing of records!!! In short, a vacuum record cleaning machine will help and some feel it is all they require to meet their needs. Heck, some just take the record to the sink and scrub it with water and dish soap and a brush, something like a fingernail brush with fairly soft bristles has done the job on occasion and then just dry it with a towel. That's the very basic cleaning approach though and you can work your way up to what many have done, that is getting an ultrasonic tank and using that methodology (and it isn't really all that expensive or complicated but does require study and learning some basics). Those who do the latter typically never look back.....as in general it is thought to be the epitome of getting records to sound as good as they can. Count me as one of them.......but hey, amigo, it's really all very dependent on what you want and what makes you smile at the end of the day (or record)!
BTW, it is always good practice to calibrate the gyro on your phone but I am guessing you already thought of that. Also, I've had some phones that just don't give consistently reliable results. Try several phones, see if it might not have something to do with yours.....
Hard to say without the manual, but since the OP has that he should be able to identify the form and function of that AS device.
). I can't get my SME 3009 to cleanly traverse the entire Tacet test track SKATING test, like my Technics arm can — which has near-infinite adjustment.
