Cartridge Tacking Problems - Help please

Did you balance the arm to zero before you set the tracking force? Did you check the tracking force independently with a stylus pressure gauge?

Compliance mis-match to effective tonearm mass is not IMO the problem here. And even if it were, it should produce some arm resonance but not that kind of mis-tracking.

Just some thoughts. Are you using an external scale to set VTF or relying on the tonearm scale if there is one)? Have you taken the arm lightly in hand and swung it over the record to see if you can detect any points where there is less than free motion? Have you tried using damping fluid (I realize it may be hard to remove)? Is this a new arm (for you) and did the problem exist with an earlier arm? I agree it sounds like a tonearm problem. Good luck, Dave

Thanks, I set the VTF force multiple times alternating between using a Shure tracking force guage, and also using the built in scale (which I also calibrated with the Shure).

I'm not sure what cartrige rubber boot suspension is. The cartrige is from the late 1970's, but I've had and used it since new, and it's always been pampered. The stylus is brand new, but when I noticed the issue I replaced the old stylus and got the same results.

I am going to purchased and install damping fuid, but wasn't convinced that would solve this severe of a problem. One thing I read about after posting this is cleaning out old damping fluid. Since the arm was shipped I assume the damping fluid may have spilled out of the trough into the bearing cavity . . perhaps that's causing a problem?

As for swinging the arm to check freedom of motion, none that I detect, but I'm not sure I'm doing this right. I swung it across while it's on the cueing support, and it seems to be fine. I'll try it again today with the arem at zero balance.

This arm is new to me, it came with the table that I purchased recently. The cartridge was previously mounted on my old Yamaha table with the "S" arm, never a problem with tracking at 1.25 g.

I'll be swapping cartriges today . . . will see if this solves it. I'm just not optimistic.

If I have an arm problem . . . are Tonearms "refurbishable"? Who would do this kind of work?

thanks again, everyone.

Bd -- you may be right about the horizontal bearing being sluggish. Possibly from spilled silicon damping fluid like you said, or maybe just dried out lubricant. Test the horizontal swing at zero VTF and NOT on the cuing support. Use a stylus guard to protect the stylus.

Another thing to check is that the tonearm connecting wires are not inhibiting the arm movement. There's tons of info about the PT6 including upgrades. Just go to Google and type "Audioquest PT6" in the search field.

Than again if deicated to keeping rig and happy with it in the main maybe swapping arm out to I dunno,...maybe ubiquitous RB300 by Rega.I only say this because my buddy has had problems with his VPI 19 PT6 and every time he thinks he's gotten it solved it end s up invariable wiith worse problems.,Ask here and sat\ylum genral oppinions on reliablity of AQ arms
chazzbo