DV 17D3

[Ottermel]

I have this cartridge (bought new a little while ago).
I can't resolve an issue I have with it so if someone can provide some input here I'd be greatful.
I have it mounted on Feickert 10.5" arm (Jelco type)and set at 2g VTF, azimuth is OK and initially I set antiskating at 2 to match VTF.
VTA was set with the arm level, but it could go down a bit at the back.I don't want to go too low because the body may hit the record surface
Now here is what happens when I cue the record with the lift or manually, the same thing occurs):
The stylus skips all the lead-in grooves and several song grooves and then it starts playing. I tried different antiskating settings but they made no difference. I think what may be happening is that the cartridge body is hitting the record (it's only 0.3mm from the surface)but I can't be sure. Visually, there is daylight between the body and the record while playing, is the stylus deflecting that much to cause this?

[dlaloum]

I have my Karat 23rs set precisely level - I use a mini spirit level on the headshell to confirm - and have had not problems of this sort.

Perhaps the arm is just a touch down at the back....

Mind you I am using the "long cantilever" earlier version (with the HUGE 2.3mm cantilever....) - that probably gives me an additional 0.1mm additional clearance... (maybe!)

[Alec124c41]

Some records have a raised rim, and a stylus dropped on the slope can skip a few grooves. I have to lower the stylus slowly on these.

Cheers,
Alec

[bauzace50]

Hi,
I had a 17D3. Yes, you might be having the vinyl outer edge rubbing momentarily (on a warp?) against the cartridge body. This could be made worse by having off-azimuth adjustment, or excessive negative Vertical Tracking Angle, where the rear of the cartridge body is rubbed by the vinyl perimeter (even more with a warp).

You could also see if the Headshell Wires are rubbing against the vinyl! And you might verify the accuracy of your tracking pressure setting (too much will bottom the stylus).

Happy patrolling,
bauzace50

[Ottermel]

The arm is actually up a bit and no wires are touching.It skips about 20 grooves into a song. I've played 4 different records and it happens on all of them. I'LL TRY MORE ADJUSTMENTS. I did adjust the azimuth and it looks OK, but did not use a level.

[Ottermel]

I'm not sure about the raised rim, but there is no warp on the ones I tried.
I'm more and more convinced that the body is hitting the record surface on the cue up, with the slightest stylus bend. I'll try raising the arm later this weekend (I'm not home now).

[dlaloum]

The other unlikely possibility - given that it is a new cartridge - is that you might have had a suspension collapse - if that is the case, then you may need to take it back to Dynavector for a replacement....

[bauzace50]

Hi,

still another possibility is that the tonearm's cue DOWN is sudden, causing a rebound of the stylus. ( I mean, this is a brainstorm proposal of possibilities).

Still again, the tonearm itself (near its pivot, or behind its counterweight?) is hitting / rubbing something unsuspected. OR tilted mounting of turntable, OR bouncing surface for the turntable, OR faulty antiskate?

And also, the records themselves MAY be at fault with some sort of debris, scratch, or vinyl bubble (looks like a bubble coming up from the inner surface of the vinyl) near the rim? These are extremely rare possibilities, ALL of which I have confronted over the years.

Regards and best wishes,
b50

[Ottermel]

TT is level and wall-mounted, the arm has no impeding stuff and is completely free and it worked fine with Ortofon RONDO Bronze before(TT is a Feickert Woodpecker).
The suspension looks OK and has not changed since it came out of the box.
I'll fiddle with the VTA and antiskating some more.
I never realized how close the body is to the record surface and how short the cantilever is.
I've never owned a cartridge with so little clearance (I have Ortofons and Nagoakas in swappable headshells and had no issues there, plus I also have a Grado and an ancient Shure on different TT's with no issues).

[dlaloum]

The only other cartridge I know of with similar size cantilever is the Decca London series....

The karats are a pretty unique piece of kit...

[bauzace50]

P.S.,

Do look closely at the record/cartridge body interface during cue-in, to attempt visual knowledge of any possible cause.
Do you have any other odd situation playing the REST of the grooves? Is the stylus tip clean (very important)?
Best wishes,
b50

[Ottermel]

No issues with playing after the stylus "catches" a groove and it's clean and records are clean.

[bauzace50]

@ Ottermel,

Many LPs have the raised perimeter which can rub the bottom of the cartridge body during the first few grooves. This effect can be augmented with an LP warp, causing your situation.

I may have run out of examples of causes for your situation, though. It is rather intriguing and seems uncommon after having owned one 17D3 myself.

Best wishes,
bauzace50

[Ottermel]

I found a thread on another site where te same situation occured with te same cartridge. The guy lowered the VTF to 1.7g and that solved the issue. I'll try that when I get home from this weekend's absence