[78-L] Cartrdge Ringing problem SOLVED

[Martin Fisher]

Hi All,

For a long time I've been experiencing an odd sort of resonance when playing (transferring) certain records (mainly lacquers) that's been driving me crazy.  It was more of a hollow scraping sound that could partially be alleviated by wet playing and even more by summing to mono in the final mix.  Finally I believe I've found the culprit and solved the problem.  

I'm using Stanton 500 AL / 400.V3 carts in combination with Technics head shells on two modifications of a Technics SL-1200MK2 turntable.  Cutting to the chase, through quick experimentation this morning I found the problem to be caused by the standoff flange type mounting of the cartridge.  I reason that this flimsy mounting was allowing the cartridge to oscillate (rock) in a vertical plane independently of the head shell and tonearm at the fulcrum point where the cartridge body was attached (?spot welded?) to the mounting flange.  What was needed was a good solid connection between the two components of the cartridge body and the head shell.  Since this is not easily accomplished by modifying the mounting assembly the next best thing was a good amount of damping which would effectively accomplish the same thing.  I remounted the cartridge with a goodly amount of Scotch removable Adhesive Putty filling in every void between the cartridge body and head shell paying special attention to the spaces in front and back of the mounting flange.  

While it's not a $450 ultra rare teakwood & ebony modification and might not have the fine sculpted lines the audiophile crowd might demand........it sure gets the job done.  All of the things we love are still there but the horrible hollow scrape is completely gone!!  :-)  Onward & upward.  Comments welcome

Martin