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Rega Ania Cantilever Bent?
I bought a rega P6/Ania combo and I just cannot get the sound right. The left channel sound 30% weaker than right channel. I checked the alignment (using Rega protractor) and tracking force (~1.9g) and I switched input for phono preamplifier and the sound problem did switch. So the problem is from turntable. Then I closely looked at the cantilever and noticed it is “bent” slightly inward. (Picture attached). Could any Ania owner help to confirm if it is bent or it is made in that way. (From stock picture , it is straight and right in the center) Thanks.
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As a rule misalignment of the cantilever (i.e. any deviation from straight front and back) is a problem. A minor (i.e. less than 5 degrees from center) deviation is perhaps OK but anything beyond that is a definite problem, and even a minor deviation could be an issue if the coils at the the end of the cantilever have been displaced, instead of a bend in the cantilever itself without impacting the coils. With few exceptions (e.g. Miyajima mono cartridges which can be pushed back into place) there's nothing you can do about it. If this was a new turntable you should immediately seek remedy from your supplier. If it was bought used you are out of luck and should replace the cartridge ASAP. |
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OK, having seen the picture that seems to be within acceptable tolerances for an off center cantilever. of course whatever knocked the cantilever may have offset the coils to a greater degree but that seems unlikely Are you sure you don't have an anti-skate problem? Or azimuth (unlikely with a Rega arm which doesn't offer azimuth adjustment). There could also be some sort of issue with the phono cable I suppose. Do you have another cartridge you could swap in just to see if that takes care of the problem? ps Nice photo by the way -- it's a bear to get these things head on! |
thanks. Based on the picture, the degree of off center should be more than 5 degree, (which is ~ 0.2mm arc for a 10mm radius) and should not be visible. The cable connection looks fine, I will double check the connection on cartridge. I remember someone use multimeter to directly measure the voltage output of Left and right channel of cartridge. Maybe this is one way to check? Thanks. |
One more thought, cantilever is connected to the cartridge body through a suspension, which allows cantilever move around freely to pass the motion to coil.(MC). for some reason, the cartridge is NOT perfectly aligned, the cantilever will be pushed slightly off cartridge center by the groove. When playing stops, cantilever will stay at that position. So basically, alignment with cartridge or cantilever is SAME. The cantilever will eventually offset the imperfection in cartridge alignment because it actually move freely (by suspension). Well, if it is not problem of cantilever, then I need continue to look for the reason behind the imbalance of left and right channel. :( |
One correction. It is right channel(red RCA connection) weaker than left channel. right channel is actually from the outer side of groove based on the discussion I read online. it may be consistent with the fact that cantilever is bent inward toward center. I will try to switch the connection in cartridge to identify the problem is from off-center of cantilever/stylus, not from tonearm wire. The cantilever is off center already when I received it. Any thought or suggestion is welcome. |