Actual bias vs set bias/antiskate [message #11749] |
Sat, 04 December 2004 11:20 |
Russellc
Messages: 397 Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (1st Degree) |
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Just wondering, haveing recently purchased the HIFI test record I've played around with the tracks for helping set bias and so forth. In short, there are 3or4 tracks which are at higher and higher amplitudes, and mistracking can be heard as distortion, from which ever speaker is associated with the channel that is mistracking. Hardly anything can track the final track. Anyway, while tuning using the 3rd track my right speaker kept having the buzz sound until I had set the bias to almost 2.5 grams, and a slightly higher vertical tracking, alittle over 1.5 grams. 1.5 is the recommended setting for this ortofon om 30 MM cartridge. Is this test telling me my cartridge maybe needs realigned, or is it telling me that bias settings on the arm are that far off? Anyone familiar with this test record and perhaps more refined ways of measuring actual bias settings? Russellc
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Re: Actual bias vs set bias/antiskate [message #11751 is a reply to message #11750] |
Sat, 04 December 2004 18:05 |
Russellc
Messages: 397 Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (1st Degree) |
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The Arm is the arm that came on the table, an AR "The AR turntable", basically the same as a ES-1, but there are some differences. Its a straight affair, black and says AR on it. I have anthony scillia making me an armboard to fit my infinity black widow to it. Back to the arm, it has a fresh ortofon OM 30 cartridge. to align it, I use the DB system dbp-10 phono alignment protracter, as well as 2 of the three tools included with the HiFi news test record. I have no scale to set vertical tracking weight, just use the dial on the arm, Then test the torture tracks on the test LP. I saw a review of the test album on the tnt site, and apparently my findings aren't so unusual. I have not attempted the forth and final track, but track all the others fine after using the protracter and setting bias to where the distortion is gone. This test record is really nice, if the bias is off, the channel that isn't contacting the stylus as well as the other begins making a buzzing distortion noise. You just adjust the bias ( and maybe a little tracking weight) until it is gone, or at least equally balanced between the channels. The reviewer had to get his vtf up over 2 grams to past the 3rd test, mine passes at a hair over 1.5, at least according to the scale on the arm's dial. Lord knows what it actually is. I wonder if the little shure scale is useful, or if I should seek out something a little fancier. As to rake angle, I lowered the arm slightly to get the arm level with the platter, and as to strike a balance between to stark and to slow and dull. I think its about optimal for this set up. I guess these scales for vertical force and antiskate provided with some arms leave something to be desired in terms of accuracy. Regards, Russellc
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Re: Actual bias vs set bias/antiskate [message #11755 is a reply to message #11754] |
Sun, 05 December 2004 07:57 |
Russellc
Messages: 397 Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (1st Degree) |
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My current cartridge is an ortofon OM 30. Found it on the internet for only 159.00. When I [purchased it, it was for the AR arm, which was a great match. Hopefully, it will be ok for the black widow. The black widows instruction sheet shows it with a denon cart, I believe the 103. It looks kind of big, but I guess the compliance is correct or something. If the OM 30 doesn't work well, I have a few on my list, but really have no idea if they will work with the black widow. The current shure v15, Goldring 1042, and even more doubtfull about it & the black widow arm, AT Oc9. I just got an email that the arm board is ready and will be sent out on monday. Hopefully I will know soon! Now that I have learned that this gentlemen is remaking most of the merrill mods, I may be using this table in my main system lomger than I had planned. I may go for another arm at some point, like you considering a rega. I stumbled on this arm (black widow) in mint shape in original box etc for 50.00 bucks, so I can't resist trying it. Regards, Russellc
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Re: Actual bias vs set bias/antiskate [message #11757 is a reply to message #11756] |
Sun, 05 December 2004 12:29 |
Russellc
Messages: 397 Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (1st Degree) |
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Yes, his name is Anthony Scillia and you can see some of his work as well as contact info at: www.theanalogdept.com/anthony_scillia.htm You can see a little more of his work in the AR gallery on the vinyle nirvana site. Anthony has told me that as soon as the Merrill Audio site is revamped, he will have info there as well. So far I plan on using his delrin armboard and stud kit that allows the use of linn springs and lower grommets, and improved lock nuts of some sort. His merrill redo of the acrylic outer platter is supposed to be ready shortly, and that will be combined with the delrin inner platter , along with a much improved stainless shaft which is available with or without threads for screww on clamp, which he also makes. The outer platter is also to be used with the merrill lead mat, which is also being redone. He has future plans to make the motor available like merrill used to sell, and I think I remember him saying that the delrin pully is also available. I hope that he redoes the sub chassis, said it was being explored, but no commitment yet. He did tell me that the merril perifery clamp was not in the plans, but I see VPI offers one, and since albums are the same size, I assume it would fit? Regards, Russellc
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Re: Actual bias vs set bias/antiskate [message #11761 is a reply to message #11760] |
Mon, 06 December 2004 10:39 |
Russellc
Messages: 397 Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (1st Degree) |
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The "perifery" (or however its spelled) isn't all that heavy, and what ever you would have to do to make it move would probably be disasterous with or without the clamp! I never used any dampening on the platter out of balance concerns, that will damage the bearing. what exactly do you mean by "filling the suspension with hot glue"?. russellc
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