Bad Turntable Setup or Bad Cartridge/Stylus?

[janderik]

I'm at a loss.

I get very inconsistent sound from my Technics SL-1800.

I picked up a Technics SL-1800 recently at a Goodwill for $9.99 with an ADC Series III cartridge. The needle was broken off so the stylus was replaced with a new one less than two weeks ago.

Its running through a Technics SA-300 which powers a set of Paradigm Titan v1.

I've leveled the turntable, adjusted the tonearm weight 3 different times to spec (1.5 g). Adjust the antiskate to 1.5. The headshell is in spec (52mm). I've adjusted the weight up/down .5g. No change.

Vocals on certain sounds get really warbley or break up and sound static-y. Almost like the speaker connection is bad. But if I switch to a different source, the speakers sound fine. Definitely something with the turntable.

Strangely, the two 180 gram records I own sound fine. I've tried multiple std thickness records from the 60-70s and all of them break up at certain points. The sound breaks up consistently on repeat listenings. Doesn't appear random.

Could the cartridge itself be bad? I'm guessing its at least 15-20 years old. Or am I missing something in the setup? I don't have another cartridge to test out.

Could the phono connection on the receiver need cleaned? I've wiggled the connects and it doesn't appear to change for better/worse.

Any advice?

[SRVDean]

I had the same problem, and fixed it after turning my anti skate down and fluctuating the tracking force.

[janderik]

I played around more with the antiskate and weight. No differences.

Should I notice anything major going from 0 to 3 on the antiskate? Wondering if its even working.

[hakaplan]

I trust you know to balance the arm first, zero it, then move to the desired tracking force. To check if anti-skate is working, turn a.s. to zero, balance the arm and move it to the platter, then begin turning up a.s. The arm should move progressively faster toward the arm rest.

Cartridge bodies either work or have no sound in one or both channels. So it's probably a defective stylus. Aftermarket styli are a mixed bag. Originals for ADC will be costly, if you can even find them. For the cost of an aftermarket stylus, you can get a whole new decent cartridge that you know will work.

[janderik]

Yep, I zeroed antiskate, balanced the arm, zeroed the weight, adjusted weight to 1.5 then antiskate to 1.5.

I did your anitskate test and its definitely working so that's good.

The aftermarket stylus I got was an EVG 110-DET. My local audio store ordered it in. Perhaps that's the culprit?

[Stanton681EEES]

Originally Posted by janderik

Yep, I zeroed antiskate, balanced the arm, zeroed the weight, adjusted weight to 1.5 then antiskate to 1.5.

I did your anitskate test and its definitely working so that's good.

The aftermarket stylus I got was an EVG 110-DET. My local audio store ordered it in. Perhaps that's the culprit?

Here is your original stylus
http://www.turntableneedles.com/Need...DET_p_864.html
and this is what you replaced it with
.http://www.turntableneedles.com/Need...DET_p_854.html

You went backwards what I mean is you went from a really good stylus to a ok stylus for a K8E.
Send me a PM I might be able to help you out.

[jrtrent]

The links given by Stanton681EEES indicate your new stylus should be tracking between 2 and 3 grams. Your current setting of 1.5 grams might just be too light. I would try it at at least 2.5 grams and maybe closer to the 3 gram maximum.

[KentTeffeteller]

The EV Game stylus is most likely your problem. A genuine ADC stylus should solve it or a Jico Japan replacement.

[janderik]

Thanks for the links Stanton681EEES. I can't believe the local shop ordered me the wrong type! Wondering if he was worried about the price difference between the two of them. For $78 I'm leaning towards a brand new AT, Shure, or Nagaoka cartridge. I'll hold onto the ADC and replace the stylus when my pockets are a little fuller.

Thanks for everyone's detective work.

[Nat]

Wait a minute -- your store suggested you spend 78 bucks for an after market stylus for a K8E? That's ridiculous. Take it back, and get your money back, and go spend the 78 bucks elsewhere.
The K series ADCs were inexpensive at the time, probably 20 or 30 bucks. Unless you insistend on a replacement stylus no matter what, your store should have suggested a new lower end AT for 10-20 bucks, or if you were willing to spend 80 bucks, there are a variety of good cartridges out there. I think either they took advantage of you or they don't know what they are doing, neither of which recommends them.

[janderik]

Nat, they ordered me a $25 stylus for a K8E when they should have ordered me a $78 stylus for an ADC Series III cartridge. I'll be discussing this with them today. But, had they come back with that $78 price, I would have just ordered a whole new cartridge/stylus.

[Nat]

Oh -- that's more understandable. I believe the stylus for the K8E will fit and work perfectly well on your series III, but it does need a lot more tracking force applied , otherwise it will sound dreadful and damage your records by mistracking. But adjust the tracking force and give it a shot -- you might like the sound.