I have built a turntable using parts from an old Rega Planar 2. I can't get the stylus to follow the groove, and it keeps skipping back so that it repeats the same bit of music.
I have tried all the anti-skate settings, and while that makes a very slight difference, it doesn't solve the problem.
The turntable is level, the tracking force (Audio-technica VM95 E) is set to two grams, and altering that doesn't stop the skipping.
What else can I try to resolve the issue?
I have tried all the anti-skate settings, and while that makes a very slight difference, it doesn't solve the problem.
The turntable is level, the tracking force (Audio-technica VM95 E) is set to two grams, and altering that doesn't stop the skipping.
What else can I try to resolve the issue?
Is the arm catching on arms lift lower mechanism?
Depending on heights of things and a maybe a warped record the arm is catching the lift lower mechanism as the cartridge suspension compresses. Or you may have a sticky bearing, has the arm been rewired lately? as that can could have some effects ?
I havent heard about RB250 issues so it does seem a bit strange
Depending on heights of things and a maybe a warped record the arm is catching the lift lower mechanism as the cartridge suspension compresses. Or you may have a sticky bearing, has the arm been rewired lately? as that can could have some effects ?
I havent heard about RB250 issues so it does seem a bit strange
What does the arm do when the tracking force is set to zero, i.e. when it is floating above the turntable surface?
I don't know which tonearm you have, but the adjustment on some Rega arms is magnetic. The magnet can detach from the knob and may need to be re-attached or adjusted.
If it looks like this ii might be worth a visit to vinylengine for details.
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/rega/rb250.shtml
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/rega/rb250.shtml
Thanks for the replies. I'll get some pictures up soon.
I have checked that the arm is level, and not catching on the lift mechanism when lowered to the record surface. I have tried two different LPs that I know play well and are perfectly flat.
The arm (Rega RB 250) has not been rewired. But I have a slightly unusual set-up where the wires coming out of the bottom of the arm assembly have phono plugs attached, and plug directly (well, within an inch) to the phono preamp module. It could be that arrangement is too tight to allow the arm to move freely enough.
I have checked that the arm is level, and not catching on the lift mechanism when lowered to the record surface. I have tried two different LPs that I know play well and are perfectly flat.
The arm (Rega RB 250) has not been rewired. But I have a slightly unusual set-up where the wires coming out of the bottom of the arm assembly have phono plugs attached, and plug directly (well, within an inch) to the phono preamp module. It could be that arrangement is too tight to allow the arm to move freely enough.
Remove the stylus, and balance the arm neutrally so it floats horizontally over the platter.
Gently blow sideways on the head shell so the arm moves slowly toward the spindle.
Does it move easily horizontally, or does it seem to resist? The bearings can sometimes seize up.
Gently blow sideways on the head shell so the arm moves slowly toward the spindle.
Does it move easily horizontally, or does it seem to resist? The bearings can sometimes seize up.
Doing that, the arm is definitely resisting moving toward the centre. I have disconnected the ires coming out of the arm but that seems to make no difference. I will fiddle a bit more tomorrow.
The arm hasn't been used for 20 years, so that could also be an issue.
I think this could well be it, these wires should not be under any tension.
No, not true. It's a complicated repair if that is the case, but I would recommend sending it to Originlive in the UK, you can get some upgrades and a rewire done at the same time.
https://www.originlive.com/hi-fi/
Yes, it seems likely. I've wired mine and had to work the arm to loosen the wires within the tiny hole they pass through into the pillar. This means swinging the wand back and forth all the way to the end, beyond the label, several times or as necessary until it moves freely. BTW, the AS in the RB arms cannot be fully disengaged, but this is of no consequence during normal operation.
Recently i had a rega tonearm (RB101) where the output wires were changed. And the tonearm wires below the tonearm pivot were creating strong mechanical resistance to the tonearm movement!
So i would suggest taking a look at the part of the tonearm where the wires originally go.