My Turntable Skips

[Alex2507]

This is kind of a 'Misc Hardware' question about why a a couple of albums I have skip pretty bad on my turn table but not on the turn table at my used record store. One of the albums is actually a sealed Brothers in Arms LP.

I have a Technics SL-QL15 (direct drive automatic linear tracker) which I already understand is a POS and I don't think the one at the record store is much better but at least it's not an automatic linear tracker.

98% of the albums I have play fine. I was just wondering why these few don't.

 

[Adam]

Alex, does that turntable have an anti-skate adjustment? I haven't found that info on the internet, yet.

If it has one, perhaps adjusting that would help to prevent it from skipping on those albums.

 

[Adam]

At least one site says that it does have anti-skating. That's encouraging.

 

[Alex2507]

Alex, does that turntable have an anti-skate adjustment?

I don't think so. It has 'IN' and 'OUT' adjustment which I think may be a reminder to go do the nasty and a stylus pressure adjustment that may be maxed out or I would need to disassemble the lid to gain better access to it. The only info I was able to gather on this TT is covered in this thread:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55035

I've never seen a manual for it. My question is more of a puzzle really. How come most stuff plays beautifully. Robert Cray, Bad Co. and 16th Century Bavarian Court Chapel Music can't be argued with.

... but no anti skate adjustment. I have to go out. Back later.

 

[Adam]

What's the slide adjustment near the front right that seems to say "L" and "R" on it (the picture that I found is a bit blurry)?

 

[Alex2507]

What's the slide adjustment near the front right that seems to say "L" and "R" on it (the picture that I found is a bit blurry)?

That's the SENS for sensor I guess. You are seeing the L-ow and H-igh settings. There is a M-edium in between. I don't know how it works but it can go to say track #3 and start there.

I wonder what that 'IN' and 'OUT' adjustment is all about.

 

[mtrycrafts]

This is kind of a 'Misc Hardware' question about why a a couple of albums I have skip pretty bad on my turn table but not on the turn table at my used record store. One of the albums is actually a sealed Brothers in Arms LP.

I have a Technics SL-QL15 (direct drive automatic linear tracker) which I already understand is a POS and I don't think the one at the record store is much better but at least it's not an automatic linear tracker.

98% of the albums I have play fine. I was just wondering why these few don't.

Are you sure the tracking force is where it should be and what the cartridge needs? If too light, then it can wonder.
How are the grooves where it starts to mistrack? Damaged? That could mistrack it.

 

[Adam]

You might find the thread linked here of some value, particularly this post. Maybe clean off the sensor (assuming that yours has one) and see if it improves.

 

[Alex2507]

Are you sure the tracking force is where it should be and what the cartridge needs? If too light, then it can wonder.
How are the grooves where it starts to mistrack?

To answer the last question in a woed )): NEW! Even on the albums that are not new, they are in perfect condition. I'm not sure that I have a tracking force adjustment. I'm almost to the point of being willing to pay money for a manual. I tried increasing the stylus pressure (again) a tad and think I was successful. I am now playing the Brothers in Arms to see if it took care of the issue.

Nope ... no help for it. It's crazy. I think maybe the TT at the store might be on the deep plow setting. I have a friend with a TT and will eventually try it out there.

You might find the thread linked here of some value, particularly this post. Maybe clean off the sensor (assuming that yours has one) and see if it improves.

I think my sensor measures and plots the album so that it can pin point say track 3. I also think that's what my IN and OUT adjustment is for as it tends to pick up the tail end of track 2 and clips 3 a little short. I just play whole sides for the most part. If the sensor was my problem it would consistently be a problem. I'm just gonna live with being able to play 98% of my records and exchange the others.

Just for the record my linear tracker looks nothing like this linear tracker:

 

[Swerd]

Alex - Two simple things you can try.

Is your turntable level? If not, try to get it level. Some turntables are more sensitive to this and others not so much.

Turntables often misbehave when they pick up bass vibrations from nearby speakers. This will happen more at high volume than at low volume. Again, some designs are more sensitive to this than others. Sometimes the shelf where the turntable is sitting vibrates with the speakers. Try putting the turntable in another location, or put something under the turntable to help isolate it from vibrating shelves.

 

[Alex2507]

Alex - Two simple things you can try.

Is your turntable level? If not, try to get it level. Some turntables are more sensitive to this and others not so much.

Turntables often misbehave when they pick up bass vibrations from nearby speakers. This will happen more at high volume than at low volume. Again, some designs are more sensitive to this than others. Sometimes the shelf where the turntable is sitting vibrates with the speakers. Try putting the turntable in another location, or put something under the turntable to help isolate it from vibrating shelves.

Good tips. I did level the armoire that the TT sits on and it is in fact on a couple of convoluted foam strips. The TT is sensitive to bass because the whole arm is attached to the lid which is readily affected by low frequencies. It sounded very strange when I had the TT and speakers on our dinning table for a trial run. It put out a serious rumble but no skipping.

With Jostenmeat doing his best to school me somewhat on music and 3db advocating vinyl like it was a new religion I am over here comparing Beethoven's 5th on vinyl and DVD-A. I think I have to look at this as the perks and limitations of a $20 turn table and count my self lucky to have run across an incredible find, especially when you consider the collection of music that I was able to buy from an old man for $150 and the music I was able to get from Luke's Record Exchange for doing some drywall.

Right now I am playing a recording of a guy named Rampal that really seems to know how to play a flute but later I might be playing the theme to Shaft.

 

[Swerd]

…It sounded very strange when I had the TT and speakers on our dinning table for a trial run. It put out a serious rumble but no skipping…

That serious rumble you described is an extreme case of acoustic feedback through a TT. I can remember back in the 60s and 70s, people who put their TTs directly on top of their speakers ! Some TTs were "relatively" resistant to acoustic feedback and others were like earthquake seismometers - if someone across the street sneezed too loud, the tone arm jumped.

With Jostenmeat doing his best to school me somewhat on music and 3db advocating vinyl like it was a new religion I am over here comparing Beethoven's 5th on vinyl and DVD-A. I think I have to look at this as the perks and limitations of a $20 turn table and count my self lucky to have run across an incredible find, especially when you consider the collection of music that I was able to buy from an old man for $150 and the music I was able to get from Luke's Record Exchange for doing some drywall.

Right now I am playing a recording of a guy named Rampal that really seems to know how to play a flute but later I might be playing the theme to Shaft.

Lots of good music on old vinyl records - yep, I can agree with that, but vinyl being the greatest thing since sliced bread - not so much . You're discovering first hand why people were glad kiss their turntables and vinyl records good bye. That $20 TT may end up being a loss.

John Pierre Rampal was great. Solo flute music is a good test for how smooth a speaker's crossover is.

 

[Alex2507]

That $20 TT may end up being a loss.

To the contrary, the TT is only problematic on a few recordings but it is completely enjoyable with hundreds of others. I'm not seriously comparing a 65 year old mono recording to a DVD-A. It's not a fair fight. I'm not singing the blues over here, I'm playing them ... well, as soon as the Oboe Concerto in C major by Haydn is over. Probably some James Cotton.

The TT is allowing me to check out hundreds of recordings that I never would have acquired on CD. It bears mentioning that it is part of the secondary system that actually plays behind me while I am on the computer thru the Dayton BR-1's. If I were completely serious about the music I guess the TT would make it out to the living room but then I wouldn't listen to it that often. Oprah is tough to bump.

 

[Adam]

Oprah is tough to bump.

Ironic, given all her talk about her va-jay-jay.

 

[mtrycrafts]

....
Just for the record my linear tracker looks nothing like this linear tracker:

Maybe that is the problem

 

[highfigh]

This is kind of a 'Misc Hardware' question about why a a couple of albums I have skip pretty bad on my turn table but not on the turn table at my used record store. One of the albums is actually a sealed Brothers in Arms LP.

I have a Technics SL-QL15 (direct drive automatic linear tracker) which I already understand is a POS and I don't think the one at the record store is much better but at least it's not an automatic linear tracker.

98% of the albums I have play fine. I was just wondering why these few don't.

I would start by removing the wrapping on the Dire Straits album.

Technics may have documentation for that model. If it can't be supplied here, have you googled that model number yet? I have to think it's out there, somewhere.

 

[TLS Guy]

Alex, does that turntable have an anti-skate adjustment? I haven't found that info on the internet, yet.

If it has one, perhaps adjusting that would help to prevent it from skipping on those albums.

A linear tracking turntable should not require anti skating compensation. The whole point of linear tracking systems is the they do not have tracking error and do not produce a pull to the center which needs compensation.

Unfortunately all linear tracking designs introduce far bigger problems than they are trying to solve. Yes even designs that have cost a fortune.

Alex, your problem is either related to problems with the linear tracking system, or insufficient cartridge compliance for the groove modulations being tracked. Likely a combination of both.

You are now really getting a decently sized record collection, and you would be well advised to invest in a turntable that will protect your it. And yes, your turntable is a POS, and one of the worst ever.

 

[Alex2507]

Technics may have documentation for that model. If it can't be supplied here, have you googled that model number yet? I have to think it's out there, somewhere.

Rickster71 found some info on it and Adam found it being discussed on Hydrgen Audio but no manual. I too have looked with no luck.

And yes, your turntable is a POS, and one of the worst ever.

LOL! I just had to say that this had me laughing at 4:00 AM around a mouthful of coffee. Glad to see you weren't trying to spare my feelings ... really.

I will keep an eye out for a decent replacement of course. Who knows what may turn up?

 

[WmAx]

Rickster71 found some info on it and Adam found it being discussed on Hydrgen Audio but no manual. I too have looked with no luck.



LOL! I just had to say that this had me laughing at 4:00 AM around a mouthful of coffee. Glad to see you weren't trying to spare my feelings ... really.

I will keep an eye out for a decent replacement of course. Who knows what may turn up?

For occasional use: get $70-$100, go to eBay, look out for mint or near mint Technics SL-Q2 or SL-Q3. Close to SL-1200MKII build quality and performance. Be sure to instruct seller to remove platter and pack it separate, and secure down arm with bread ties or tape before shipping. Add Denon DL-110 or Audio Technica AT 440MLA cartridge for high value, high performance cartridge units. DL-110 is a little better, but costs more. I won't recommend a lesser cartridge than the specific AT mentioned.

For frequent use, I will recommend a costlier solution for the table, but the cartridge recommendations remain (assuming the arm you end up with is compatible with the compliance of the above cartridges) the same.

-Chris