VPI Classic and ZYX 4D

Firstly Stefanoo, ZYX Cartidges do have a lenghty break in time. I suspect the 4D to be no different than the Airy 3, Universe-Atmos in this regard. How many hours now you figure you've logged?

The Shure VTF Gauge works, but I always questioned mine. An error of .2g will make audible differences, and differences in regards to tracking when the Cartridge is new.

And another thought I had, is the VPI is capable of using a damping fluid in the trough. Maybe try experimenting with fluid damping? Keep in mind, the fine balance of over applying damping fluids, where one drop makes all the difference. More fluid is sometimes not better. Mark

What I wonder then, is where does the blame for such get placed? Is it then the sole fault of the Cartridge, the possibility of a mismatch of Arm Mass-Cartridge, or is it perhaps also a fault of the Arm design, being a Unipivot?

I know Myles previously mentioned the attributes of the use of a Damping Fluid being nothing more than a bandaid, and he is probably correct with this classification.

I know a number of times, Doug Deacon had made mention of not liking ZYX with Unipivot Arms, and I seem to recall the term used by him in his listening tests as "wooly".

Would/could this what Doug is perhaps getting at, because of the Unipivot Design, its lack of being able to be a compliment, and compatible to such a Cartridge?

It was the initial reason I suggested to perhaps try Damping the Arm slightly. Might be worth a try, and the results can always be easily reversed if not favorable. Mark

Hello Doug/All,
I had to backtrack through the entire thread, and re-read all of my posts, and I didn't find where I specifically said the ZYX takes 100's of hours for break in? (it appears I'm the only "mark" in this thread) :-)

I have been a good "student" I think, (you being the teacher of course), and recall many of your comments-reviewz about everything ZYX.

I'll save space about going into full detail.

But it appears Stefanoo has not evidently succeeded in being pleased, as in one of his last posts posts, he makes referral to sending the whole shebang off to VPI, to let them scratch their heads.

All I can say, is I wish you the best of luck Stefanoo, and hope that all comes back OK. Mark

PS Doug: Thank you very much for that very understandable, and logical-technical explanation about the use of such Anti-Skate Tracks. I leaned something new again from the master!