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"Spitting" Cartridge problem

I've run into an issue I've never seen before and can't figure it out. I have an Ortofon Rondo Red mounted on an early TriPlanar on a Basis Ovation table. Recently the right channel has started making serious distortion on transients - it sounds like harsh static/spitting.

VTF, VTA, alignment are all good. And I haven't changed anything either - it just started happening out of the blue. The cart has maybe a few hundred hours on it. Could it just have gone bad?

It's not the phono pre, or anything else in the chain. I can't see how an interconnect could cause such an issue but it's captive so I can't change it easily.
paulfolbrecht
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,370 posts
 
This doesn't sound like a cartridge problem. I'd look upstream..loose cable, bad tube, etc.
photok
18 posts
 
Mine did something similar recently until the right channel finally went out all together. Turned out to be a loose cartridge clip that finally came off all together. Hope this helps.
wgallupe
19 posts
 
Check the anti skate setting. If anti skate setting is too low, you will hear static in the right channel. Too high will give static in the left channel.
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
I did check the clips but maybe not good enough. I will clean those suckers with a good degreaser and make sure they fit very tight (with judicious use of a very fine needle-nose pliers). I am now betting that's it as well.

Wgallupe, I don't think anti-skate can be the issue, since many tables/arms function just fine with no anti-skate - right? Also, that static would not just be associated with transients,I think.
bill_k
882 posts
 
Paul, if you're going to use a needle nose pliers to tighten the cartridge clips here's a tip that I'd suggest. Insert a wooden toothpick into the end of the clip before attempting to tighten it. The toothpick will prevent you from possibly breaking the clip by compressing it too far.
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