What does mist racking actually sound like?

In a somewhat strange way I desire for a 10 or 15 rpm platter speed. :-)

I'm off by a factor of 10, make that 1 to 1.5 rpm. Thanks, Doug, for showing me that trick. It is the fastest way to find out if it is damage or not.

Dan/Doug,

Could you elaborate? Are you spinning the platter by hand very slowly and listening for groove damage?

Yes, Peter, exactly so. It's a simple test, another of Paul's simple but brilliant brainstorms...

Find a passage that consistently (sounds like it) mistracks, that "Pffft" or "Bzzzt" sound Hifihvn and I described. Then play it several times at 2-3 rpm, spinning the platter by hand.

You'll hear and easily identify the music as a low frequency growl. The "mistracking" noise, if you still hear it, will sound distinctly different - MUCH sharper transients than any music.

If you hear that at 2rpm then you have groove damage or a pressing flaw, not mistracking. Any cartridge can track anything at 2rpm.

If you only hear it at normal speed then the cartridge is mistracking. VTF and/or anti-skating adjustment will usually (not always) resolve the problem.

P. S. Do NOT go backwards, EVER. No scratching like a DJ with your $4K cartridge. ;)