On 14/12/2012 14:16, Jim Lesurf wrote:
In article , Bob Latham
wrote:
In article , Jim Lesurf
wrote:

My only personal experience with the Linn was ye olde Ittok/Asak.
Which I found a total PITA. Massive end-of-side distortion even when
aligned as well as possible. It always puzzled me that people seemed
not to notice this.

I've never noticed it at all.

It depends on the type of music played. It seemed very obvious to me on
orchestral climaxes with massed strings, etc, at an end-of-side. But may
well not be noticed on others things like rock music with electric guitars
and drums. It may also hinge a bit on how familiar the listener is with
live music inc things like massed strings, etc. And FWIW my impression
was that the mistracking could give more 'impact' to rock music, so
a result that I guess some people would like, depending on taste in
music, etc.


I found it very cartridge dependent. For example, I simply couldn't get
a Goldring (1040 ISTR, and not cheap) cartridge to track properly at all
on inner tracks, with distortion on vocals and strings.

I've had this experience with several other cartridges, and leaving
installation error aside (it's one of the few things I can get right!),
I found it baffling that the issue wasn't widely reported. Sample
variation? who knows.

The solution for me was/is the AT OC series. I imported a couple from
the US - about 1/4 of UK retail after tax and handling.

Back to the OP - I think this phenomenon is too subtle to explain what's
happening though.

Rob