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Weird recurring problem

No corrosion - cartridge is new and so are the connectors. I think I'll try crimping so that the connectors are a tighter fit. Will leave that for another day, as it took so long to set up the other cartridge today. Thanks for the insight everyone - I'll report back if that was the fix.
 
Are the diameters of the brass connectors of the lead wires, from the cartridge to the tonearm the same? I've seen some were the connections to the tonearm is smaller than the ones to the cartridge. May make for an imperfect fit, if you reverse the leads? :idea:
 
Depthgrammar said:
Thanks but it's a Rega arm, no connectors to the tonearm only to the cartridge
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No, I'm talking about the leads between the tonearm or headshell and the cartridge. These:

8298-Thakker-Headshell-HS-10-inkl--Headshellkabel-_2.jpg
 
Right I know, but there's no headshell on the rega arm, it's one piece. There are only the connectors that connect to the cartridge, then the wires feed through the tonearm, looks like thisregarb250.jpg
 
Try wiggling the patch cord from your TT while playing. Keep your volume low, in case it causes pops, 60 Hz hum, etc. If it does snap, pop, buzz,
there is probably a faulty connection either in the cord or at its connection to the RCA plug If the patch cord is hard wired inside your TT (?) you may find a loose connection there.
 
Did you verify the wiring polarity at the cartridge? The first thing I thought of when I read "bass drops out"was "out of phase cancellation".
Verify signal and ground per cartridge documentation.
 
Update: Just hooked the Shelter 201 up to my other turntable in the living room and it is exhibiting the exact same problem - quieter /less bassy in the right channel. It seems like it has to be something with the cart or the stylus, because the other carts I have work fine on both turntables. I guess I could try a Sumiko Pearl stylus, since there don't seem to be replacement Shelter 201 needles available. Either that or order a new Shelter. But I'm still curious where exactly the problem lies...
 
Have you put an ohmmeter on the cartridge to see if there is an imbalance to L/R channels?
 
noogies said:
From what I'm able to glean here, I'm thinking that you may want to investigate your cables and RCA plugs before you spend for a new stylus. It's starting to sound like something that might result from a damaged wire or plug.
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Depthgrammar said:
Hmm, but the other cartridge i have on right now is working flawlessly - same wiring, cables and rca plugs. wouldn't that mean the wiring is ok?
It was weird that the other cartridge would work intermittently when I played with the cables...
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visman said:
When installing he second cartridge you may have cleaned up a short or bad connection - it happens.
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Yes, it sounds like a dodgy connection somewhere. Intermittent problems are a pain to track down. I'd start by cutting of the RCA plugs from the end of the tonearm cable are solder some new ones on.
 
rothwellaudio said:
Yes, it sounds like a dodgy connection somewhere. Intermittent problems are a pain to track down. I'd start by cutting of the RCA plugs from the end of the tonearm cable are solder some new ones on.
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I don’t think so - the op has identified that the problem followed his cartridge from table 1 to table 2. A new cartridge on table 1 solved the issue - is this correct depthgrammer? If it is then the cart is the culprit - and likely has the finicky connection/winding.
 
visman said:
I don’t think so - the op has identified that the problem followed his cartridge from table 1 to table 2. A new cartridge on table 1 solved the issue - is this correct depthgrammer? If it is then the cart is the culprit - and likely has the finicky connection/winding.
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Yup, ruled out tonearm cable/rcas when the problem travelled. Both turntables I tested work fine with other carts.
 
Depthgrammar said:
Yup, ruled out tonearm cable/rcas when the problem travelled. Both turntables I tested work fine with other carts.
Click to expand...
There you go - problem solved. You may want to get an ohmmeter for your own education - if there is a bad winding you will see different resistance measurements between the two channels. I’m not familiar with the cart in question but if it is very valuable it can likely be repaired.
 
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