Slight distortion on right channel...

[kirstysdad]

New to my SL150/SME3009 I have a slight distortion on the right channel, not amp related but from t/t only. Had a bit of a bother setting up the arm as not used to the SME, what might I be missing or have misjudged? Didn't happen with my PU3 (very fussy to set up).

[Stratmangler]

New to my SL150/SME3009 I have a slight distortion on the right channel, not amp related but from t/t only. Had a bit of a bother setting up the arm as not used to the SME, what might I be missing or have misjudged? Didn't happen with my PU3 (very fussy to set up).

Too much antiskate?

[struth]

yup , also sometimes the headshell can move sideways on them depending on how tight the screw is.. stylus too could be dirty

[Manicatel]

I agree. Try backing off the anti-skate a bit, play the same track again, see if you’re still getting the distortion.

[indie roehre]

If distortion is on the right channel increase the value of the anti-skating.

[Barry]

Does the distortion worsen as the end of the record is approached?

With the SME 3009 arm the anti-skating force is a maximum at the start of the record and reduces as the arm approaches the centre. When there is too little anti-skating force, the stylus will apply more pressure to the left or inner groove walls, causing a higher level of distortion on the right channel. Conversely when there is too much anti-skating force, it will cause too much pressure to be applied to the right or outer groove walls, causing a higher level of distortion on the left channel.

It would seem there is too little anti-skate bias being applied, and the distortion will worsen as the arm approaches the centre of the record.

[kirstysdad]

I faffed about with the anti-skate, which helped some way, but then decided to go back to basic set-up.
What I think I have done is embarrassingly simple, a real rookie error- I had set the alignment (66mm null?) then rechecked the headshell level, adjusting it slightly but then failed to readjust the alignment- I guess it's 20 years since I've set up a deck and am out of practice. :doh:
All good now and with a reduced anti-skate it sound fabulous- really fast and tight. My new copy of Leonard Cohen's You Want it Darker is especially impressive.
Thanks to all above for valuable advice, and to Keith (from this parish) who I bought it from for his email too. :youtheman:

[KeithL]

Glad you got it sorted. It was sounding particularly good last month with an AT440MLa.

[Barry]

That's good news Sandy, though I don't understand how checking the headshell/cartridge for correct azimuth could have altered the horizontal tracking alignment.

I'm also pleased to see you have reduced the anti-skating. In my experience the arm manufacturer's recommended anti-skate bias levels are usually too high - I find that with virtually all of my cartridges, only about half the recommended amount is needed.

So now kick back and enjoy all your LPs. :)

[kirstysdad]

That's good news Sandy, though I don't understand how checking the headshell/cartridge for correct azimuth could have altered the horizontal tracking alignment.

I'm also pleased to see you have reduced the anti-skating. In my experience the arm manufacturer's recommended anti-skate bias levels are usually too high - I find that with virtually all of my cartridges, only about half the recommended amount is needed.

So now kick back and enjoy all your LPs. :)

It was more that having twisted headshell to get it lateral level, I had not checked the overhang and alignment...:doh:

[kirstysdad]

Cheers Keith, :thumbsup: Might change the headshell though...