Q-160 S tracking force question.

[jakedaniel]

Having a problem with my Q-160 S.  I bought a new set of T-needles from Victory Glass, installed them and it sounds good for the first part of the record but halfway it starts to sound bad.  Scratchy, not clear, etc.  Does it sound like I need to adjust the tracking?  If not, what else could be causing this?  It's on both sides, BTW.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Jake--yep, either the tracking force, counterbalance (spring), or counter balance , itself, is not correct--OR, simply oil the pivots with the correct oil ! (do this first--anyway !) Ron Rich

[robnyc]

Jake, I have not used the new styli -only the original Pickering. In general this sort of thing is caused by incorrect lateral arm balance and/or poor adjustment of the bias spring on the trip switch.

To check the first, select a slot with no record. When the arm sets down lift it away from where the record surface would be and towards the approx midpoint in a record. release the arm. It should not drift either inward to record center or outward toward the beginning as it settles.

Next, take a look at this short video I made showing the correct action of the trip switch and reset bracket: www.flickr.com/photos/90641375@N06/36172205046/

The trip side of the bracket slot should not begin to contact the arm assembly till near the end of a record. At that point the biasing spring at the end of the trip whisker takes some of the load off the tonearm and assists the trip switch when the stylus enters the trip spiral. That spring should be as far down (extended) as possible but still avoiding erroneous tripping during normal play.

Tracking pressure is known to be critical with these new styli. I don't know the specified weight, but I used approx 3gm on the original Pickering diamonds.

RobNYC

[jakedaniel]

Thanks for both of your replies! Later this week when I've got a break from these kids I'll take your advice and let you know if I have any further problems

[Ron Rich]

Jake, Rob,
Follow the procedures in the Service Manual--Any "adjustment changes" should be done in the order specified in the manual !
In order to check "drift", springs must be dis-connected, pivots clean/oiled correctly, first! Ron Rich