[mdfoy]

Vinyl guys,

I have a Thorens TD-125 MK II and just installed an Audiomods S V with an SAE 1000E cartridge set at 1.85 grams.  The arm installation, alignment and cartridge setup were followed to the letter. The cartridge gets stuck in the lead in grooves and skips badly when playing. It skips a few times, plays a little then skips or gets stuck in the groove, like a scratch.  I have tried adjusting tracking force, arm height, adding a headshell shim, adjusting tracking force,  adjusting antiskate, taking off antiskate,  not having the shim, adjusting and removing antiskate.  I had an SME 3009 S2 on the table previously that did not have these problems. Any ideas?

Mike

[tomytoons]

Were you using the SAE on the SME Arm and it was OK?
Take a real good look at the cart Cantilever stylus assembly, may be the cart. They are quite old to begin with.
Maybe the suspension is gone because of age?
I would not suspect the AM arm, but you never know.
Do you have another cart. to try?

I have read recently 2 cases of this not the (SAE Cart) but it turned out to be the Cart. in both.

[mdfoy]

tomytoons,

Thanks for the reply.  Yes, I was using the SAE on the SME.

You will not believe what the culprit was.  I was using a digital scale for the tracking force.  I pulled out the trusty old Shure gauge to verify.  Lo and behold, it was WAY light.   I was using the wrong calibration on the digital scale. 

Another example of analog being better than digital

[Ericus Rex]

My first thought was not enough tracking force or not enough anti-skate...or both!

Glad you figured it out!

I have the Series 4.  What are the upgrades to the Series 5?  I checked Jeff's website but it looks like it hasn't been updated to show the new Series 5.  I really like mine.

[Wayner]

That sounds like the horizontal sweep bearing is problematic or the tonearm wires are doing some weird thing thru the pivot assembly. I'd suggest first to see if the arm swings thru the playing field of the record with no hint of resistance or binding. If there is, then there is an issue with the bearing or wire.

Try that and come back with some more info. And then I have to ask the stupid question: Your cartridge wires aren't touching the record during play?

Wayner

[tomytoons]

Being a great arm I would not suspect the wires, but ya never know.
I think I did read one incidence on the wiring but it was a short, it was returned and fixed. Jeff does super work.
I didn't bring up the scale or VTF because I thought it was obvious.
Always make sure the scale is set to "grams" too. LOL!
Been there done that with all this stuff.

[mdfoy]

Ericus Rex,

From the outside it looks the the changes from 4 to 5 are the yoke and bead blast is standard. I believe there were some internal changes as well. Email Jeff Spall, he will probably give you the run down on the changes.

Wayner,

Nothing as stupid answer as not seeing the wires touching the record during play or not being able to swing the arm freely or wondering why the there is no sound from the record when the cueing is still up. After getting the tracking force right, everything is fine. 

[Wayner]

My comment about the stupid question was not saying that you are stupid, rather that sometimes, we don't see obvious problems. No one here knows where you are in terms of experience or mechanical aptitude, so sometimes, what seems to be a demeaning question, is in fact not.

Wayner

[mdfoy]

Wayner,

No offense was taken.  The "stupd" answer was made in jest.

[Wayner]

Good! It's hard to convey true meanings, using a keyboard.

Glad your issue is resolved, but now I ask at what VTF are you tracking at? You are kind of getting up there in weight. It is better to track heavier if the end result is better tracking, too light and there is stylus chatter, which can quickly ruin a record.

Wayner

[mdfoy]

Wayner,

I am tracking at 1.85 grams. The SAE is pretty light at 4.7 grams, with the shim (2.4 grams) it tracks well. 

[tomytoons]

Both of the SAE's the "e" and the "Lt" are nice cartridges.
I should not have sold them.

[sturgus]

Mike, let us know what you think of the new arm.  I am using  the Audiomods  Classic  with  the  SAE 1000e and love it.
Thinking of getting the V and mounting it on a Denon table.

[simoon]

I was one of the first here to get one of those SAE cartridges.

Tracking at 1.75. One of the best tracking cartridges I've ever owned.

Glad you figured it out.

[watercourse]

Dontcha hate it when that happens? But love it when it's an easy fix?

RE: Audiomods arms, I think the main difference with the Series V is that it uses the RB303 arm tube, which according to Jeff Spall's measurements is higher performing (improved resonance characteristics) than the previous RB arm castings. This arm tube separates the Series V from the rest of Jeff's line.

The bearing carrier is also changed so that it is squared off, and I think this was to better address mounting requirements, such as having a flat surface for measuring spindle to pivot, leveling, etc., rather than for sonic or aesthetic reasons. Interestingly, a friend of mine has the Series V, and the way the vertical bearing is mounted is different than with my Classic, but exactly how it is mounted is unclear as the carrier blocks the user's view of it. I've also handled the Series IV, and the mounting is different from those arms as well. Well, a Classic is pretty much a Series IV but with minor differences which are mostly cosmetic.

There are also cosmetic changes - I think this was the first iteration of the arm that offered bead blasted, matte finish. I'm pretty sure the Series V comes standard with all the headshell shims and two counterweights, rather than as add-ons like with the Classic and Series IV.

Other than that, it costs more, so it's gotta be better. 

[neobop]

There are also cosmetic changes - I think this was the first iteration of the arm that offered bead blasted, matte finish. I'm pretty sure the Series V comes standard with all the headshell shims and two counterweights, rather than as add-ons like with the Classic and Series IV.

Other than that, it costs more, so it's gotta be better. 

Why the headshell shims?  All arms come with adjustable VTA.  On-the-fly VTA is optional.
http://www.audiomods.co.uk/completearms.html

Looks sweet.
neo

Looking at recommended carts I found the answer.  Shims are to add mass for low cu cart compatibility.  This arm looks like a terrific performer and great value.