I just had the idea to hook up my oscilloscope to the output of a new Step-Up Transformer. I used the test tracks of the HFN&RR Test Record HFN 001. At the Bias Setting track (Band 9, 300 Hz L+R at +18 dB) I got the waveform on the attached picture. The top of the signal is blurred, like the stylus has lost contact with the groove. But it is not incorrect antiskating, because it caused much more evident distortion of the sinus shape, when I misadjusted it.
What could be the reason of this disturbance?
My system is Thorens TD160 Super turntable, Mayware Formula IV arm, Denon DL103 cartridge, Lundahl LL1678 step-up transformer, 47k termination.
What could be the reason of this disturbance?
My system is Thorens TD160 Super turntable, Mayware Formula IV arm, Denon DL103 cartridge, Lundahl LL1678 step-up transformer, 47k termination.
Attachments
That looks like HF interference - not on the disc at all.
You could put a quick lowpass filter on amp input which should kill it.
You could put a quick lowpass filter on amp input which should kill it.
Possibly the modulation level may be too high for your cartridge as it is set up now.
Try the maximum recommended tracking force, and see if it improves.
Try the maximum recommended tracking force, and see if it improves.
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Denon DL-103 Moving-Coil Cartridge Manual | Vinyl Engine
But you must be logged in to have access to the files... (many variations, all pdf)
I leave it at 2.5 g for now, but will try with an active MC head amplifier. It will tell whether this is an RF interference or some mechanical weirdness.
On paper, that's not a very appropriate combo. Way too light of an arm for a low compliance cartridge like the DL-103.
jeff
Hi Laszlo
You may add some plasticine mass on the headshell (and readjust the tracking force to 2.5gram).
Try to make a digital recording and study the waveshape in detail as well as the spectrum.
HFN Side 1 Band 9 is a very difficult track, almost impossible to be played without distortion. The question is how much.
Your screenshot shows good behaviour of your setup in terms of waveform distortion.
George
You may add some plasticine mass on the headshell (and readjust the tracking force to 2.5gram).
Try to make a digital recording and study the waveshape in detail as well as the spectrum.
HFN Side 1 Band 9 is a very difficult track, almost impossible to be played without distortion. The question is how much.
Your screenshot shows good behaviour of your setup in terms of waveform distortion.
George
Attachments
The waveform is the same with an active step-up device. This is not an HF interference for sure. I tried with increased stylus force, result is the same.
Could it be a worn record? I am still experimenting with other test records that I have at hand.
Could it be a worn record? I am still experimenting with other test records that I have at hand.
I just dig up my other test records (Ortofon and Hungarian MHV). The pure tone test tracks are crystal clean on them. It seems I have a damaged HFN&RR test record. It was released in 1996. All single tone tests on it show the same behavior, not only band 9. Is there a more recent release of this test record?
Thanks to everybody for the advices.
Thanks to everybody for the advices.
I was looking for a replacement for HFS75 and couldn't find anything, but I eventually purchased this
There are similar tracks to HFS75, and it comes with an alignment protractor. Though nothing you couldn't download from Vinyl Engine if you had an urge.
Sadly, also expensive for what it is, because vinyl is fashionable....
There are similar tracks to HFS75, and it comes with an alignment protractor. Though nothing you couldn't download from Vinyl Engine if you had an urge.
Sadly, also expensive for what it is, because vinyl is fashionable....