My record player sounds pretty good, on the whole (it's a Linn Basik
with Linn arm and cartridge that I got about 17 or 18 years ago).

However, on some records, it can sound a bit glassy. I don't know if
that's the right word. In louder passages - especially towards the end
of a side, I *think* - sustained notes seem to have a brittle edge to
them.

Because nearly all of my vinyl records are second-hand, it's hard to
know whether the records are worn or the player isn't playing them well.

Are there some basic adjustments I should check, or would I be better
taking it to a hi-fi shop and asking them to check it's set it up
properly?

I'm quite happy taking things apart and making mechanical adjustments,
but I haven't done much messing about with record players.

Daniele

D.M. Procida wrote:
My record player sounds pretty good, on the whole (it's a Linn Basik
with Linn arm and cartridge that I got about 17 or 18 years ago).

However, on some records, it can sound a bit glassy. I don't know if
that's the right word. In louder passages - especially towards the end
of a side, I *think* - sustained notes seem to have a brittle edge to
them.

Because nearly all of my vinyl records are second-hand, it's hard to
know whether the records are worn or the player isn't playing them well.

Are there some basic adjustments I should check, or would I be better
taking it to a hi-fi shop and asking them to check it's set it up
properly?

I'm quite happy taking things apart and making mechanical adjustments,
but I haven't done much messing about with record players.

Daniele


Valve amplification and/or phono stage usually cures most ills with
vinyl replay kit, but what cartridge are you using?

Keith G wrote:

My record player sounds pretty good, on the whole (it's a Linn Basik
with Linn arm and cartridge that I got about 17 or 18 years ago).

However, on some records, it can sound a bit glassy.

Valve amplification and/or phono stage usually cures most ills with
vinyl replay kit, but what cartridge are you using?

It's a Linn K5.

I hadn't thought it would be an amplification problem, but more likely
to do with the mechanical set-up.

Daniele

D.M. Procida wrote:
Keith G wrote:

My record player sounds pretty good, on the whole (it's a Linn Basik
with Linn arm and cartridge that I got about 17 or 18 years ago).

However, on some records, it can sound a bit glassy.
Valve amplification and/or phono stage usually cures most ills with
vinyl replay kit, but what cartridge are you using?

It's a Linn K5.

I hadn't thought it would be an amplification problem, but more likely
to do with the mechanical set-up.

Daniele


OK. First step is to try a new stylus - an AT-95E will fit and work
fine, if look a little strange. 22 spons from Mantra:

https://shop.mantra-audio.co.uk/acat...ca_stylus.html


But double check the fit first, to be certain...

On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:56:57 +0000, Keith G wrote:

D.M. Procida wrote:
Keith G wrote:

My record player sounds pretty good, on the whole (it's a Linn Basik
with Linn arm and cartridge that I got about 17 or 18 years ago).

However, on some records, it can sound a bit glassy.
Valve amplification and/or phono stage usually cures most ills with
vinyl replay kit, but what cartridge are you using?

It's a Linn K5.

I hadn't thought it would be an amplification problem, but more likely
to do with the mechanical set-up.

Daniele


OK. First step is to try a new stylus - an AT-95E will fit and work
fine, if look a little strange. 22 spons from Mantra:

https://shop.mantra-audio.co.uk/acat...ca_stylus.html


But double check the fit first, to be certain...


I don't think you can do that. IIRC the K5 stylus is bonded in. It would
make more sense to change the cartridge for an AT-95E. It's similar in
many ways and has the benefit of a changeable stylus. 34 quid from same
place.

--
Mick (Working in a M$-free zone!)
Web: http://www.nascom.info
Filtering everything posted from googlegroups to kill spam.

mick wrote:
On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:56:57 +0000, Keith G wrote:

D.M. Procida wrote:
Keith G wrote:

My record player sounds pretty good, on the whole (it's a Linn Basik
with Linn arm and cartridge that I got about 17 or 18 years ago).

However, on some records, it can sound a bit glassy.
Valve amplification and/or phono stage usually cures most ills with
vinyl replay kit, but what cartridge are you using?
It's a Linn K5.

I hadn't thought it would be an amplification problem, but more likely
to do with the mechanical set-up.

Daniele

OK. First step is to try a new stylus - an AT-95E will fit and work
fine, if look a little strange. 22 spons from Mantra:

https://shop.mantra-audio.co.uk/acat...ca_stylus.html


But double check the fit first, to be certain...


I don't think you can do that. IIRC the K5 stylus is bonded in.

Are you sure? Perhaps you were pulling it forward instead of down.
The K9 stylus isn't glued in.

--
Eiron.

On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:43:05 +0000,
(D.M. Procida) wrote:

My record player sounds pretty good, on the whole (it's a Linn Basik
with Linn arm and cartridge that I got about 17 or 18 years ago).

However, on some records, it can sound a bit glassy. I don't know if
that's the right word. In louder passages - especially towards the end
of a side, I *think* - sustained notes seem to have a brittle edge to
them.

Newly set-up system or a gradually-increasing problem? You may just
be hearing one of the reasons we now use digital playback :-)

Laurence Payne wrote:

My record player sounds pretty good, on the whole (it's a Linn Basik
with Linn arm and cartridge that I got about 17 or 18 years ago).

However, on some records, it can sound a bit glassy. I don't know if
that's the right word. In louder passages - especially towards the end
of a side, I *think* - sustained notes seem to have a brittle edge to
them.

Newly set-up system or a gradually-increasing problem? You may just
be hearing one of the reasons we now use digital playback :-)

I've recently set it up after a year or so packed away for building
work. But I didn't do any adjustments.

I have noticed this glassiness before, but now I want to do something
about it.

Daniele

On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:19:40 +0000,
(D.M. Procida) wrote:

I've recently set it up after a year or so packed away for building
work. But I didn't do any adjustments.

I have noticed this glassiness before, but now I want to do something
about it.

Try to pin down whether it IS happening nearer the centre of the disc.
Could be cartridge alignment (don't tell me a Linn owner isn't
equipped to adjust this? :-) Could be worn stylus, worn records.

Have you been listening to a nasty cheap digital system while your
"good" equipment was packed away? Could just be something else....

Laurence Payne wrote:
On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:19:40 +0000,
(D.M. Procida) wrote:

I've recently set it up after a year or so packed away for building
work. But I didn't do any adjustments.

I have noticed this glassiness before, but now I want to do something
about it.


Have you been listening to a nasty cheap digital system while your
"good" equipment was packed away? Could just be something else....

You trying to be provocative mate...


--
Bill Coombes