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Graham Phantom with Benz Lp-s Tracking problems

Hello to all,

i recently mounted my new Lp-s cartrige on the Phantom B-44. The sound is great, but i have problems with some Lps, 4-5. On all it is on the beginning of the record. I can see a little but quick jumping from the cartridge, it isn´t much but the stylus looses contact with the groove and i hear something like a rumble. I don´t know if it´s the right word. And when i put up the volume it distorts. Benz told me that the best way for working the Lp-s is that the counterweight should be very close to the center of the tonearm and it isn´t, it is 1cm or more away from the top.
I wrote Bob Graham to tell me his thoughts, will see what he tells me. Maybe i have to change the ring of the counterweight to a heavier one!?
Has someone experience with this problem?

Many thanks and happy new year !!!!!!!!!!!

Best wishes from spain,

Agustin
agucela
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
I don't have a graham...but that is a heavy cartridge, so you have the VTF set right? sounds like you have it a touch lite or the record is warped funny...

A counter weight closer...might sound better...but I doubt it would change how it tracks to solve the issue you're having...I'd double check the VTF then maybe take those records somewhere else and see if it's the LPs...
moonglum
619 posts
 
Hi Agustin,
Could be feedback but my guess is cantilever resonance caused by the LPs themselves. About 1 in 4 (at a guess) of typical 120g LPs suffer from very fast warps - more like sharp pulses than warps - and sometimes they can be cascaded. Certain cartridges do not react favourably with them as it may be more of a cartridge suspension problem(Popularly known as the "Grado dance".)

Take a close look at your cartridge on touchdown at the run-in groove.(Try not to let it run any longer than the run-in to protect your favourite albums). Does it vibrate relative to the groove?

You've probably done this already but I must ask if you have tried the resonance test bands from e.g. the HFN/RR test disc to check that your arm/cart combination is behaving correctly? Although 8-12Hz is acceptable 10-12Hz may be better for the conditions you may be describing.
Hope this proves helpful....
a1ex17usa
1 posts
 
Please make sure you have a clearance between arm itself and microlift. If the clearance is too small arm could touch microlift's arm and cause the problem. I've seen things like one this many times. Good luck. Alex.
audioquest4life
722 posts
 
If you are experiencing lateral drift when you drop the needle on the record, either to the left or right, check your antiskating. Ensure that you have mounted the LPS correctly. Though not a Phantom, I have mounted several LP's on SME V arms with no issues. The Phantom has more user adjustability, therfore, you may have to pay very close attention to each and every setting on the Phantom arm.
Good luck.
Audioquest4life
agucela OP
17 posts
 
Thanks to all,

The microlift isn't the problem, it don't touch.
I set VTF at 1,85g and i tried with 2,20g, nothing.
I made lateral and vertical resonance test on HFN Lp, lateral at 7hz it moves but nothing on the sound and vertical maybe at 20-18hz there is a little bit in the sound i can hear.
Ok, when there is a problem. What is the problem, the cartridge compliance( suspension)?
The frien who tried the same lps has a inferior benz cartridge and a inferior clearaudio arm!?
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