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Cartridge/Phono-Pre Break-in?

I just installed a new Audio-Technica 150MLX cartridge and Cambridge 640p phono-pre in my second system (SL1200 table, Nuforce Icon amp, Gallo speakers), and after two days it sounds about like an AM radio...no highs, no dynamics. Computer audio playback sounds quite fine. I thought I might have a poor cartridge wire connection (suckers were tough to install without breaking them) but there's no hum or distortion. Does this happen? Do either of these pieces change dramatically with break-in?

Thanks for any guidance.

Jeff
jmudrick

Showing 2 responses by johnnyb53

johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
I have an AT150MLX mounted on an SL1210M5G w/fluid damper feeding the MM input of a Cambridge 640P. I didn't install them together all at once; there was about 2-4 wks between getting the 640p and AT150MLX.

At any rate, in my system, both components sounded extended and musical right out of the box. The 640p was a little bright and edgy I suppose, but both were totally listenable from the beginning and sounded very musical and sorted out within two weeks of playing about 4 hrs/day.

I suspect something else at play here besides tough break-in, and the diagnostic suggestions so far should be chased down, esp. VTA, VTF, etc. What headshell are you using, and are you using the additional counterweight? What VTF are you at so far?

If you suspect your cartridge leads, maybe you should get a new (better) set and try again. You can get silk-wrapped OFC Litz leads from LPGear for $15.95/set.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
08-19-08: Jmudrick
Just of of curiosity Johnnyb53, since we have the same setup (1200 with fluid damper, using a Zupreme headshell), where'd you land in terms of tracking force with the cartridge?
I had it at 1.6g during break-in, and have listened to it at 1.4g ever since. However, I'm only going by the numbers on the Technics counter-weight; I don't have a VTF gauge yet.
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