[Bryan T]

I bought a Music Hall 2.1 (it came with a Music Hall Tracker cartridge) and a NAD PP-1 for my girlfriend's birthday. I'm having trouble getting it set up to sound right. The main problem that I am having is that vocals have an audible distortion on the high frequencies, particularly when the music is busy, though it seems to always be present.

I've followed the instructions that were included with the TT, going as far as realigning the cartridge (despite the fact that the alignment looked correct out of the box - it distorted before and after). I've also talked to the dealer where I bought it who suggested calling the Music Hall rep. I called him and he gave me a bunch of suggestions (make sure table is level, make sure all screws are tight, make sure alignment is correct, make sure the record is a good pressing, make sure the stylus is clean, etc.). Nothing has worked so far.

Maybe the cartridge needs to "burn in" in before it sounds good? Honestly, the sound is harsh enough at the moment that listening with headphones is a painful experience after 10 minutes. I'm quite frustrated that this $300+ gift sounds worse than my $50 portable CD player, especially since others rave about how great their 2.1's are. I know this can't be right, but there are so many variables that I wonder if I've missed something.

Do you have any suggestions? Should I take the Music Hall back and exchange it for a new one?

Thanks,
Bryan

P.S. I've also experimented with different tracking force. Music Hall recommends 1.7 grams (I think that is 17 on the dial), but I've gone as high as 30 and as low as 10 on the dial. I properly balanced the tone arm before setting the tracking force.

 

[shivohum]

Have you tried a lot of different recordings? It could just be the distortion on the particular records you're using.

Try also asking this question on the Vinyl Asylum at http://www.audioasylum.com/

 

[Sol_Zhen]

I’ve had a MMF 2.1 and I thought it sounded good. I used a Parasound PPH-100 phono preamp with it.

Did you try adjusting the tracking force? Or trying a different LP?

[edit] I never used the included cartridge, however. I installed an AT440 immediately when I got it.

 

[lini]

Strange. Sound like something is defect here. Did you check whether the NAD is ok? Or maybe it's overdriving the line input of the amp...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[Hirsch]

Quote:

Originally posted by Bryan T Do you have any suggestions? Should I take the Music Hall back and exchange it for a new one? Thanks, Bryan

Harshness can be a lot of things. I'd take the table back to the dealer, and have him demo it in his setup. If it still sounds harsh, trade it or get your money back. Harshness could be due to a bad stylus, which can damage your records. I wouldn't accept a table that had that issue.

 

[Bryan T]

I took the 2.1 back to my dealer yesterday. We replicated the distortion that I am getting using their phono stage, amp, and speakers. Therefore, we know that the problem isn't my phono stage or amps.

Their solution: replace my turntable with a new one. They thought that I got a "bad" cartridge or that the stylus had been damaged.

The outcome: the new turntable does the same distortion as the old, even on absolutely new and clean vinyl.

My conclusion: The turntable is set up correctly, so I guess it must be the stock cartridge that is giving me the distortion. I'll let the new cartridge play for 50 hours and see if the sound improves.

Honestly, I'm let down that this entry-level "audiophile" TT sounds so bad out of the box. A lot of people are very happy with the TT (even with the stock cartridge!), but most seem to replace the cartridge with something better. I would have preferred it if the TT cost $20 more and came with a decent cartridge. Hopefully, after 50 hours of use the TT will sound better. Those first 50 hours are going to be painful, though!

Thanks for all of your suggestions,
Bryan

 

[bundee1]

Hey Brian, how are things going with your TT? Have you replaced the cartridge? Has the sound improved? Im asking because I thinking of picking one up.

 

[Bryan T]

I haven't replaced the cartridge, but the sound has improved somewhat. There is still noticeable distortion at parts, but the sound is much, much, much less harsh than before. It used to be that I couldn't listen to the TT with headphones for more than a few minutes. I've listened quite a bit over the past week and have really been getting into it, particularly the new Radiohead.

I would recommend this TT with the recommendation that you save money in your budget for a better cartridge. I'll be getting a Grado Red for it as soon as my budget allows. Then it will be an excellent TT (I hope!).

Bryan

 

[zowie]

If I had to guess -- and as others noted there could be many causes -- it's that your record collection was previously played on a very low quality phonograph or plowed with a chipped needle.

Try new vinyl.

Also, make sure your table is level.

This deck and cart do not have a distortion problem.

 

[Bryan T]

Zowie,

My table is level and the distortion occurs with new vinyl. Moreover, the distortion was replicated at my dealer using their preamp, amp, and speakers.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I ended up getting a replacement 2.1 from the dealer and it has the same problem.

My conclusion is that the Tracker cartridge probably needs a long break-in period for it to function properly. As I mentioned, it sounds much less harsh than it did when new, but the distortion is still present on some albums (both new and old). I will give it a few more weeks of time to break in and I'll try to remember to post if there are any changes.

In the meantime, I'm saving up for a better cartridge.

The fact is that the distoriton has been present on two tables in two locations, though it does seem to be getting better.

Bryan

 

[bundee1]

Tracker cartridge? I thought the Music Hall mmf 2.1 cam with a Goldring Elan.

 

[Sol_Zhen]

Quote:

Originally posted by bundee1 Tracker cartridge? I thought the Music Hall mmf 2.1 cam with a Goldring Elan.

They now come with a Music Hall cartridge. It's supposed to be a Golring Elan that's private labeled. Who knows? Try a different cartridge. Most stock cartridges aren’t very good, they’re just to get you started.

 

[lini]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sol_Zhen They now come with a Music Hall cartridge. It's supposed to be a Golring Elan that's private labeled. Who knows? Try a different cartridge. Most stock cartridges aren’t very good, they’re just to get you started.

Definitely yes! It also nice, that my good old TD280MkII plays on level with a Planar 2, provided a nice cartridge. The original Stanton fairly sucked, of course.

Nevertheless, not even the standard t4p type cartridge on my way old Technics SL-5 distorded, so the problem still puzzles me...

Greetings from Munich!

Manred / lini

 

[Videoshielded]

I have the MMF 5.1. It has a different tonearm than yours, but maybe they share a common defect that causes high frequency distortion.

With the 5.1's, sometimes the "tube" that makes up the arm and headshell is installed in the pivot twisted a little, and it doesn't hold the headshell parallel to the LP surface. This means the cartridge shell is not parallel to the record, and the stylus is not perpendicular to the groove. It's not easy to dectect on a visual inspection, so use a small bubble-level on the top of the headshell with the arm in the resting position.

A number of MMF 5 owners report this problem. It's easy to fix. If you grasp the tube and give it a firm but gentle twist, it can be rotated in the pivot-mount and realigned quite easily.

I think the Soundstage.com review of this table goes over this issue.

If it makes you nervous, talk your dealer into doing it.

 

[Hirsch]

Quote:

Originally posted by Videoshielded A number of MMF 5 owners report this problem. It's easy to fix. If you grasp the tube and give it a firm but gentle twist, it can be rotated in the pivot-mount and realigned quite easily.

This would be an azimuth adjustment setting. If off, it would indeed cause distortion, as the stylus would not be perpendicular to the groove.

I'd be very careful with this. Pressure in the wrong place or amount can screw the arm or bearings. Check to see if there is a set screw that's holding the arm in position, and unlock it if possible. If you can get the dealer to do this, I'd let him.

You might want to contact Music Hall for explicit instructions on how to do this, if you're going to do it yourself.