Technics SL-1210MK2 new cartridge skips at start

[TobesEtc]

I've got an SL-1210MK2 which I bought just before Christmas. Initially it was serviced and the guy set it up with a Stanton 505v3. Worked fine... perfectly, really... but I decided that I wanted a less DJ and more audio focused cartridge. I bought an Ortofon 2M blue and a new Ortofon headshell.

Wiring it was straightforward, just followed the color coding. But did notice when comparing the wiring on the Stanton/technics headshell that two of the wire were reversed compared to the Ortofon set up. I also recall the service guy telling me that the original cartridge had been wired incorrectly and that I should ignore the color codes. What's going on there? Is that right? Have I done it wrong?

When I set up the 2M cartridge in the arm I immediately noticed it was much easier to balance than the Stanton. The Stanton required the balance weight to be nearly off the end. That was, I think, because the Stanton had a metal spacer weight between the cart and the head shell. Anyway, balanced the arm, dialed in the weight. Seemed to work. Noticed that the arm was at an angle, so lowered the vta to minimum. Not perfect, but better I thought.

The cartridge is set at the 52mm distance visually using a ruler, not the proper gadget as I don't have one. Does that matter?

Have used the Technics specific protractor. Seems spot on at the outside but not so good in the middle. Does that matter?

It seems to work fine with one exception. When you drop the cart onto the record at the start it tends to skip into the first track. Then it grips and all is fine. If I lower it very gently it is fine. The Stanton I could just drop from a great height and it gripped. Is this a problem with my setting of the 2M or just a feature of a different cartridge?

Yesterday I bought a used tracking test record. Scratched to bits, but the cart worked on every test every level except the last drum test at the highest level. But I'm not convinced it wasn't just a bad record... actually... I do think it's likely to be my setting up of the cart.

Advice on any aspect?

[Macca]

The Stanton will always track more securely -it is what DJ carts do. If you are tracking the test record okay then all is well - I would just be careful lowering the cart onto the record. I always hand-cue, I don't understand why anyone uses the lift -lower mech, I've never seen one that does not drop the needle too heavily for my liking.

[TobesEtc]

Great, that's what I hoped to hear. Meant to add that I've also got a KAB Fluid Damping kit on order.

[DSJR]

The cartridge really should be aligned at the inner null-point using a protractor, since HERE is where distortion can really rear its ugly head the most - potentially....... Some older arms used the 60mm from centre as their point, but I think the techie arms use the more current 65mm distance. No doubt the Techie gurus will comment later on this. Tracking error at the outer grooves is less of an issue due to greater groove velocity past the stylus, although some OCD types go bananas on absolutely correct theory - HiFi types are laughed at in pro circles for our over-obssessiveness with largely insignificant minor details, leaving the most important things alone quite often.....

The 2M Blue has a really nice diamond fitted, hence the increased price over the still good Red model. This may require a little more bias correction/anti-skate over the dialed amount, which is a "best guess" in any case - no two cartridges are the same. So for example, if you set playing weight to 1.8g (I think that's what Ortofon recommend - without checking) then set the bias/anti-skate to 2 or 2.5 and see if the stylus jumps as much at the beginning of records..

Hope this helps, more difficult for me to explain than actually do... The combo should be a good one, this cartridge not upsetting the arm as some MC types do methinks :)

[Stratmangler]

Use one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ortofon-Cartridge-Alignment-Protractor/dp/B007WCMIRW

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/216ftQVQihL._SL500_.jpg

[TobesEtc]

Thanks guys - I've ordered that protractor and will give it a go as soon as it arrives! But will have another crack with the printed version now.

[TobesEtc]

OK, so this is interesting (and I am seeing why people become obsessive...)

Using the Technics Baerwald Arc Protractor from Vinyl Engine (thank you!) I set the cartridge so it exactly lines up at both grids. At least, as near as possible. It required moving the cartridge right forward.

That means (if I understand correctly?) that the distance from arm pivot to stylus is now the right distance.

It also means that the 52mm distance from stylus to mount is now completely out of the window! But I assume that distance is meant to give the correct overall distance and isn't of itself important. Correct?

Thank you all for your help and advice!

[Stratmangler]

SJelRnSv1Kk

[phonomac]

Hello Toby,
The 52 mm overhang used by Technics is for an alignment close to Stevenson, which is what the arm was designed to.

You using the Baerwald protractor means that you are using a different alignment, which makes the 52 mm irrelevant.

I believe that we can do much better than either alignment, which I think I have posted about before (maybe not on AoS :scratch: I'm getting old :lol:). However that is a different story. Concentrate on getting Baerwald right, and then see how your deck performs.

regards

Angus

[Spectral Morn]

If you want the ultimate then get a dedicated protractor for the arm/turntable from yip of Mint tractor http://mintlp.com/best.htm. There is no finer protractor out there imho.

Review of it I wrote here http://www.adventuresinhifiaudio.com/05/12/2010/the-mint-lp-best-tractor-making-cartridge-alignment-accurate/


Regards Neil

[walpurgis]

Be careful using alignment protractors off the net. They tend not to print out at the correct size. Some come with a dimension guide allowing you to correct the print size if you need to.

[Jan_A]

New:

Jumping tracks is typically caused by more basic settings, rather than sophisticated adjustments - The reason for jumping first tracks is typically, in priority:

1) Weight is set too low ( 0.8g instead of 1.8g)
2) Weight is not "callibrated" ( new cartridge, new callibration )
3) Dust on the needle
4) Antiscating is set wrong
5) The base of the turntable is not leveled
6) The four feets are not leveled equally

Try tab gently on the plinth, if the arm jumps tracks, an adjustment of one or more of the above is needed. Check across the record.

Else, place the turntable on the floor ( assuming the floor is correctly leveled ), and test.

[Qwin]

Agree with Jan. Alignment would have to be massively out to cause skipping.
Check the arm bearings for play!

If you are setting up a cartridge on an SL-1200/1210 II then be aware that Technics used their own alignment geometry but Stevenson is very close.

I set mine to Baerwald using a variety of protractors and always ended up with IGD (Inner groove distortion). The start of an album would sound great but by the time it got to the last track on a side it would be horribly distorted.

The Stevenson alignment worked for me.

I used Conrad Hoffmans Custom Template Generator program.

Find it here (third item down) http://conradhoffman.com/chsw.htm

Just enter the Thechnics P/S distance of 215mm select Din for inner groove distance and Stevenson alignment. Hit the generate template button.
It goes to a pre print window confirming the details you have entered and null point distances prior to printing, just hit print from there.

This gives the closest results to the Technics spec for offset angle, overhang and null points.

[TobesEtc]

Thanks guys, I'll give that a go.

I should point out that the only skipping is when I lower the needle onto the outer edge. It wants to skip straight into the first track/start. Then it never skips again until the next LP. If I lower it very gently it doesn't do that. Once it is playing I can jump up & down and it won't skip.

But - I think it does give a very small distortion on the inner tracks, especially drums.

Also, using the Technics baerweld (spelling error!) protractor (at correct size) the adjustment slots on the head shell are minutely too short, I mean it's about 1/2 to 1/3rd of a mm short. So not worth worrying about, really...