2. analog
  3. 1115618103

Cartridge set up questions - Spacedeck / Space arm

I have recently obtain a used Spacedeck and Space arm setup. They are the older version. The space arm is the carbon fiber version which is a version older than the latest Ace Space arm.

I have encoutered two problems during set up.

1) The cartridge is too light or the counter weight is too heavy. With the cart installed at end of the head shell, the VTF is fail to meet the required VTF of 1.5 to 1.9 gram.

I had to put a small piece of blu tak on the headshell to provide the correct VTF. Is this normal or did i do something wrong?

2)The left channel is about 3 db louder when playing pink noise. The balance is perfect when playing cd. Again, did I do something wrong?

Please help.
kentchai

Showing 4 responses by kentchai

kentchai OP
32 posts
 
Thanks for the inputs, guys.

The cart in question is a Dynavector 10X4 MkII. It probably had seen 6 - 8 hunderds hours of use. The Phono Cartridge Alignment Tool I use is bought from http://www.turntablebasics.com. This tool worked out pretty good for me as I aligned the same cart with it on my VPI HW19 jr/ AQ PT-5.

I determine the VTF with Shure Stylus Force Gauge. I tried adjusting the brass weight, but I had to push the brass cylinder all the way in the sleeve to increase the VTF. Does the anti-skate setting affect VTF?

I was using the using the Hifi News & Record Review Test Record to check the channel balance. Band 4 and Band 5 on side one is pink noise @ -20 db for each channel respectively. And I was measure sound pressure with Radio Shack SPL meter in my listening position. Besides, my listening test confirm this measurement with singer location shift all the way to the left.

During early of cart installation, I broke the blue tonearm wire at the clip, which is for the left channel. I solder it back, does it affect anything?

Please let me know if you guys need more info to troubleshoot.

4yanx,

I am glad that you show up. The spacedeck I got was owned by you at some point according to Joe. You should be familiar with which version is my TT and tonearm.
kentchai OP
32 posts
 
I think I will need a lighter counter weight, right? so I don't have to put extra weight on the headshell.

My DV 10X4 mkII is 4.6 grams. Damn it, I may just get a new cart.

Th bronze ring I get is about 1" in diameter, 1" in height, and 3/16" thick. Is this what you guys have? I may have the extra heavy version when I need the standard one.

The wire clip I soldered is for left channel, which is the louder channel. Could the new soldering make make it louder????
kentchai OP
32 posts
 
Dynavector 10X5 is 6.6 grams. The older 10X4 mkII is much ligther at 4.6 grams.

What other high output cart should I consider? I like the DV 10X4 sound on my Nottingham setup, other than Norah Jones always sing from the left side.
kentchai OP
32 posts
 
I have solved the VTF problem I had by playing with the tonearm setting. The arm was risen about 1/4" from the the cueing mechanism thus create more room for Bronze ring adjustment. It barely work but at least I don't have to add blu tak on the headshell.

The soundstage still collapse to the left though. It bug the hell out of me!!!! The sound is much better than my cd player with more body on the vocal....I just can't have it all.

I have double checked the cart alignment with enjoythemusic.com 's tool. It look pretty decent to me. Something is definately not right. Any more ideas?
More to discover