A pitch too High!

[Terrible]

Recently, I damaged the V2 MM cartridge of Clearaudio Concept Wood turntable, so had it changed with a Grado Prestige Blue. The VTF for V2 is 2.2g while Grado blue stands at 1.5g. I took someone’s help to fix this. He even made azimuth adjustments and it sounded fine. But I soon realised that the sound had become thinner, voice being the primary indicator and just before the stylus landed on the record, it skipped back a bit then hit the record. Sometimes the tonearm would skip all the way out of the record, backwards. I called the guy back, and he felt the VTF should be fixed to around 2g to avoid the backward skip. He did so and that problem was licked and it seemed the voice thinning issue had also vanished. But last night, I put on the first pressing of Aretha Franklin Amazing Grace, and all along I found her pitch way higher, it was all too high pitched and uncomfortable. Seemed the bass had gone missing a little. On my Boulder 866, I could immediately hear the difference when the track was played through Roon. It was not as high pitched, thin as it sounded on analogue. I intend to call the guy again but wanted to know from experts here as to what the issue could be.

 

[nicoff]

Recently, I damaged the V2 MM cartridge of Clearaudio Concept Wood turntable, so had it changed with a Grado Prestige Blue. The VTF for V2 is 2.2g while Grado blue stands at 1.5g. I took someone’s help to fix this. He even made azimuth adjustments and it sounded fine. But I soon realised that the sound had become thinner, voice being the primary indicator and just before the stylus landed on the record, it skipped back a bit then hit the record. Sometimes the tonearm would skip all the way out of the record, backwards. I called the guy back, and he felt the VTF should be fixed to around 2g to avoid the backward skip. He did so and that problem was licked and it seemed the voice thinning issue had also vanished. But last night, I put on the first pressing of Aretha Franklin Amazing Grace, and all along I found her pitch way higher, it was all too high pitched and uncomfortable. Seemed the bass had gone missing a little. On my Boulder 866, I could immediately hear the difference when the track was played through Roon. It was not as high pitched, thin as it sounded on analogue. I intend to call the guy again but wanted to know from experts here as to what the issue could be.

Sounds as if you addressed the azimuth and the tracking force (to eliminate the skipping). However, since you switched cartridges, you still need to adjust the vertical tracking angle (angle that needle sits on the record). Adjusting the angle will address the bass and timbre issue that you are hearing.

Basically you need to raise or lower the tonearm itself. That changes the vertical tracking angle.

It is a bit of trial and error. You raise/lower the arm and you listen. At some point the bass will sound right.

 

[nicoff]

VTA. A picture is worth 1,000 words. When you raise or lower the tonearm, you change the angle.

 

[audio.bill]

Based on your description of the sound now being too bright and lacking in bass, if the problem is VTA related the arm should be lowered at its base.

 

[Mike]

Agreed with what’s been stated. Drop the ass end of that tone arm a wee bit.


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[Terrible]

Sounds as if you addressed the azimuth and the tracking force (to eliminate the skipping). However, since you switched cartridges, you still need to adjust the vertical tracking angle (angle that needle sits on the record). Adjusting the angle will address the bass and timbre issue that you are hearing.

Basically you need to raise or lower the tonearm itself. That changes the vertical tracking angle.

It is a bit of trial and error. You raise/lower the arm and you listen. At some point the bass will sound right.

What are the things I need to correct the VTA? It's a Clearaudio Concept Wood with Satisfy arm that I own. All the help, from all, is greatly appreciated.

 

[Terrible]

Agreed with what’s been stated. Drop the ass end of that tone arm a wee bit.


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Please let me know how to do that. I am a complete noob when it comes to all this.

 

[tube-vds]

Detailed Cartridge Setup I Step by Step - YouTube

 

[aKnyght]

What are the things I need to correct the VTA? It's a Clearaudio Concept Wood with Satisfy arm that I own. All the help, from all, is greatly appreciated.

i have the same turntable. adjusting the VTA is detailed in the owners manual which is available online from clearaudio if you don't still have yours.

setting the VTA is pretty straightforward... while holing the tonearm use the supplied hex wrench to loosen the lock screw on the front of the circular arm board. then move the tonearm up or down to the desired height and tighten the lock screw. after setting the VTA re-check the tracking force to make sure it is still at the correct value for your cartridge.

clearaudio recommends setting the VTA such that when the needle is resting on an LP the tonearm is parallel to the turntable chassis. so that might be a good starting point. if the sound is lacking in high end and the soundstage is "compressed" increase the VTA by moving the tonearm up slightly. if the sound is too "shrill" as you describe then move the tonearm down slightly ...repeat as necessary to dial in the best VTA.

fwiw: i have found that at least with the v2 cartridge there is a lot of latitude for the VTA sweet spot -- in other words you don't have to have it set at the 100% exact perfect angle to get a great SQ but YMMV on this.

 

[Terrible]

i have the same turntable. adjusting the VTA is detailed in the owners manual which is available online from clearaudio if you don't still have yours.

setting the VTA is pretty straightforward... while holing the tonearm use the supplied hex wrench to loosen the lock screw on the front of the circular arm board. then move the tonearm up or down to the desired height and tighten the lock screw. after setting the VTA re-check the tracking force to make sure it is still at the correct value for your cartridge.

clearaudio recommends setting the VTA such that when the needle is resting on an LP the tonearm is parallel to the turntable chassis. so that might be a good starting point. if the sound is lacking in high end and the soundstage is "compressed" increase the VTA by moving the tonearm up slightly. if the sound is too "shrill" as you describe then move the tonearm down slightly ...repeat as necessary to dial in the best VTA.

fwiw: i have found that at least with the v2 cartridge there is a lot of latitude for the VTA sweet spot -- in other words, you don't have to have it set at the 100% exact perfect angle to get a great SQ but YMMV on this.

I'll surely check out the manual for this. Thank you for letting me know. The hex wrench and everything else that came with it is unfortunately lost. Do you the wrench number that works for this?

I am not using the MM V2. I have just changed the cart to a Grado Prestige Blue.

 

[aKnyght]

the supplied wrench that fits the lock screw is labeled "2" -- which indicates a 2mm size hex key and that key does indeed measure at 2mm. hope this helps

when you get things all set up let me know how you like the grado cart and how it compares to the v2.

 

[Kingrex]

I don't know your TT or arm, but my arm has the same sort of VTA adjustment. A grub screw that holds it in place. I keep a deck of playing cards under my table. If I ever have to raise or lower the arm, I use the cards as a shim to go up or down. When I have it where I want it, I flip the left over cards upside down and put them back in the stack. That way I know where I left the last adjustment. You will be shocked how much difference 1 card can make when you add or subtract. You may want to overshoot where it gets bass saturated, then back it up, maybe even a little to far, then back down to the good spot. It takes time, but its rewarding when you hear it land on the right spot.

If the issue seems to come and go, you might check the cartridge tags. The pins on one cartridge can open up the tags far to large for another cartridge. If its an older used cartridge, its good to clean the tags with 99% lab grade alcohol and a cotton swab. You can do inside the tag clips with a tooth pick. Make sure the clips are gripping the tags firmly. Your talking about 2mV of electricity. You want a positive mechanical connection to pass consistent electrical current.

 

[atmasphere]

@Terrible And as I advised over on audiogon, look into loading of the cartridge. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer or dealer of your phono section and they can assist you. My recommendation for loading high output Grado cartridges is to use a 10K resistor. With all of the high output Grados I've heard that takes out the brightness.