Tonearm Slides on Turntable When Starting

[lechugaa]

Hi everyone,

The turntable that I have is a TEAC TN-300SE-WA. This is my first turntable so I’m not sure if this is common. I noticed that once I lower the tonearm, it slides towards the groove. It seems to catch the groove perfectly and it starts fine. However, It’s just the sliding that doesn’t feel right.

The cueing is up to the user to control the drop and its speed. Even if I drop it really slow, the same thing happens. I took the turntable to a local shop to see if I set the weight and anti skate wrong but he said I set it correctly. I showed him one of the records I was playing. He said the outer part on the record where there's no music is too lifted up which is why it slides. However, It seems to happen on every record that I play. Sometimes the movement is more drastic than other times.
Could I be setting the starting point too far towards the edge?

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

 

[Nashou66]

If that table has an Anti Skate adjustment lower it or set it to 0 to see what happens .

Nashou

 

[Trekkie4]

If that table has an Anti Skate adjustment lower it or set it to 0 to see what happens .

Nashou

Don't you think it's other way around? Skating force will pull the tonearm towards the center, not push it away from the platter.

I've had the same issue on my LP120... But then I changed the stylus/cart & tweaked the AS controls and it stopped, it only happens every once in a while, and only when the outer edge is curved, angled inwards.

 

[Nashou66]

Don't you think it's other way around? Skating force will pull the tonearm towards the center, not push it away from the platter.

I've had the same issue on my LP120... But then I changed the stylus/cart & tweaked the AS controls and it stopped, it only happens every once in a while, and only when the outer edge is curved, angled inwards.

Right i had it backwards. Oops

 

[lechugaa]

If that table has an Anti Skate adjustment lower it or set it to 0 to see what happens .

I set it to 0 and it doesn't seem like it changed anything

I've had the same issue on my LP120... But then I changed the stylus/cart & tweaked the AS controls and it stopped, it only happens every once in a while, and only when the outer edge is curved, angled inwards.

Would you recommend changing the stylus/cart? I'm also still under warranty so I could return it and get a different turntable

 

[Trekkie4]

Right i had it backwards. Oops

I remember reading about this particular issue, there was actually a lot of hype about it, especially because it was happening on LP120 (and LP120 is, or rather was known for AS problems until they've finally fixed it), so people blamed the AT/Hanpin for what is going on.

But then others reported the same issue on their vintage &/or high end tables. From what I remember, the only working solution is to put, drop down the stylus closer to the 1st track, avoiding the outer edge entirely *shrug*

@lechugaa
No, @Nashou66 had it other way around. Decreasing the AS will only make it even worse, if that's even possible. First of all, see if the AS is properly set to matching (recommended) value for the tracking force, I'm assuming 2.00g. If everything's set correctly, and the AS mechanism does appear to be working fine, I would just leave it as it is, or drop the stylus closer to 1st track, just before the LP begins. Alternatively, you could try another cart - although this is just my personal solution, approach (there's probably nothing wrong with that AT-95E, the problem is most likely with the turntable, or tonearm itself). TBH, I only swapped the cart because I didn't like the way AT 95E sounds, and not because of the skating issue.

 

[spicer]

Hi everyone,

The turntable that I have is a TEAC TN-300SE-WA. This is my first turntable so I’m not sure if this is common. I noticed that once I lower the tonearm, it slides towards the groove. It seems to catch the groove perfectly and it starts fine. However, It’s just the sliding that doesn’t feel right.

The cueing is up to the user to control the drop and its speed. Even if I drop it really slow, the same thing happens. I took the turntable to a local shop to see if I set the weight and anti skate wrong but he said I set it correctly. I showed him one of the records I was playing. He said the outer part on the record where there's no music is too lifted up which is why it slides. However, It seems to happen on every record that I play. Sometimes the movement is more drastic than other times.
Could I be setting the starting point too far towards the edge?

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

Assuming no action on the arm from the release mechanism or anti-skate the set down point is bit too far towards the outer rim of the record. That is exactly what it appears to be, landing on the rise of the outer part of the record and sliding towards the lead in groove. There is a sweet spot for this adjustment, every now and then it will happen anyway. The set down needs to be adjusted inward just a bit... play with it a bit and you'll find the right spot. The end of record pick-up point will not be affected as that mechanism senses velocity more than position. I do not know where the set down adjustment is for that machine is, sometimes it is quite obvious, sometimes not. A manual will have it.

 

[Balifly]

I set it to 0 and it doesn't seem like it changed anything



Would you recommend changing the stylus/cart? I'm also still under warranty so I could return it and get a different turntable

You need to place the needle down in the grove .

 

[MCM_Fan]

Hi everyone,

The turntable that I have is a TEAC TN-300SE-WA. This is my first turntable so I’m not sure if this is common. I noticed that once I lower the tonearm, it slides towards the groove. It seems to catch the groove perfectly and it starts fine. However, It’s just the sliding that doesn’t feel right.

The cueing is up to the user to control the drop and its speed. Even if I drop it really slow, the same thing happens. I took the turntable to a local shop to see if I set the weight and anti skate wrong but he said I set it correctly. I showed him one of the records I was playing. He said the outer part on the record where there's no music is too lifted up which is why it slides. However, It seems to happen on every record that I play. Sometimes the movement is more drastic than other times.
Could I be setting the starting point too far towards the edge?

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

What is your tracking force set at? Have you verified it with an actual stylus force gage (aka: scale)? What is your anti-skate set at?

 

[dcmfan]

Is the turntable level? Measure at the platter, not the plinth (base).

And, yeah, agree with others that dropping the needle a little closer to the music grooves should help.

 

[sqlsavior]

You might be trying to set it down too close to the edge, as you say. Records usually have raised edges, and if you set it on the downhill slope, a bouncy cartridge will indeed skate along the surface. Try a good 1/8 to 3/16 inch in from the edge. Some combos are bouncier than others. With my Ortofon SPU, I have to cue the arm down while stopped, turn the platter an inch or so to set the stylus in the groove, then hit the start button.

 

[lechugaa]

I do not know where the set down adjustment is for that machine is, sometimes it is quite obvious, sometimes not. A manual will have it.

I checked the manual and it doesn't have it but I will look it up and see what I can do about it

You need to place the needle down in the grove .

I think I might do that next time. closer towards the groove that is because I can't seem to aim it directly in the groove yet haha

What is your tracking force set at? Have you verified it with an actual stylus force gage (aka: scale)? What is your anti-skate set at?

I don't have a scale but I adjusted the anti skate according to the manual which is 2

Is the turntable level?

I watched a video where someone had a special leveler for their turntable. I only have a basic level ruler but it seemed kind of off when I checked it at the platter. The turntable doesn't have adjustable feet. If it's off would you just place something under the table and try to get it balanced as accurately as possible?

Try a good 1/8 to 3/16 inch in from the edge.

yeah I'll be placing it closer to the edge from now on. I haven't thought of placing the arm down while stopped. I'll give it a try and see how it goes

 

[dcmfan]

. If it's off would you just place something under the table and try to get it balanced as accurately as possible?

Yes. I used standard hardware store shims under the feet to get my table level. Once you get them dialed in you can cut the shim so it fits under the foot and can barely be seen.

 

[911s55]

Use a torpedo level, 6" is fine. Level on the platter across L to R and front to back. Use whatever thickness of shim material you have, cardboard, thin coasters etc.

 

[Grenadeslio]

It's normal, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[MRL_Audio]

Have had this happen with many tables and arms. Sometime you miss the groove.

 

[NoTransistors]

I remember when owners of new Dual had the same complaint. The warranty fix from United Audio was to internally readjust anti-skate for more force. Certainly, it solved the issue, BUT IT DID CAUSE MORE RECORD WEAR AND DISTORTION.
When I get one of these, it is blaringly obvious that it has this tweak, and I simply undo it.

 

[Balifly]

I think I might do that next time.

closer towards the groove that is because I can't seem to aim it directly in the groove yet haha

Don't worry!

Even if you miss, the needle will just slide toward the closest groove on it's own.

 

[NoTransistors]

Now tell me again, "How many grooves does a side of a record have?"

 

[dcmfan]

Now tell me again, "How many grooves does a side of a record have?"

Let's see

12 inches in diameter, so 6 inch radius...

Circumference = 2 Pi R...

RPM = 33.3...

Running some math here, give me a minute...







Plus or minus 15 grooves my answer is: