Ask Mikey

MF does answer questions and quite promptly. That is one clean stylus.

and see how long it takes.

Hello. I bought an Aida in December, apparently manufactured June of 2014 so about 6 months old when I got it. There have been some discussions within Analog Planet about some VTA / SRA problems due to incorrect stylus manufacture .. however that appears to date from 2012 so I'd assume mine was made to correct specification. Based on advice from Peter Lehmann, I started with the tonearm (SME 309) level. All other parameters per his advice. About every LP side I would hear a 'blip' as if the cart/arm skipped .. but it really didn't. Next I raised the arm height a bit. Still getting that occasional 'blip'. Is this maybe something related to a severe stylus profile that just needs further geometry adjustment, or has my phono preamp begun having a capacitor or other problem?

have you seen this?

http://www.npr.org/event/music/388722887/watch-middle-school-kids-play-a...

Wish I could go to that school! Okay, now I'll think of a question to submit. ;-)

Dear Mr. Fremer, I want to upgrade my system and would like your opinion on whether a new cartridge or new phono preamp will provide the most bang for the buck. I have Sonic Frontier's large monoblock tube amps, preamp and NHT 3.3 speakers. The turntable is Clearaudio entry level with MM cartridge. Phono preamp is Parasound Zphono. (My budget shrank before I got back into vinyl.) I listen to mostly classic rock and love deep bass and a deep soundstage. With a budget of $500 to $1,000, should I upgrade the cartridge or phono preamp? Any specific recommendations would be great. I feel like I am putting you on the spot but I really don't know where else to turn. Thank you for any guidance you can provide and thank you for Analog Planet. Steve Whitcomb

Hey Mikey.

Have you given the new Sticky Fingers reissue a spin?

If so, your thoughts on the sound and quality of this would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi Michael,

I bought the Aesthetix IO Phono Stage and I am having a significant issue with RF noise. It is an oscillating hum. My dealer has been working with me to try and eliminate the noise. The best we can figure out it the Cardas Clear tone arm cable is acting as an antenna. We have turned off all electronic equipment in the house. I had an electrician come over and check the grounds on all dedicated outlets. I am using a Shunyata power conditioner. We even tried a second Cardas Clear tone arm cable. The best we can figure out is the Phono stage is generating RF. If we move the cables around we can change the noise but never eliminate it. Are you aware of any Tone arm cables that are well shielded. Are you aware of any other solutions we even tried RF magnet blockers which did nothing that can solve the problem. The IO sounds amazing except for the background noise.

Thanks in Advance
Arnie

Mike you ever going to review this device you noted in April 2016.

Good evening Mr Fremer

As I get that box as Christmas gift I’d like to know whether all LPs from that box were pressed at QRP both for US and European release except first 2 of course at recording industry in the Netherlands

Thanks beforehand

Merry Christmas

BenoîtLizee

Hi Mikey,

As an audiophile and vinyl addict for over 40 years, I dig the website as well as your You Tube Channel.

While I realize that there is much debate about how best to clean a stylus, what do you suggest regarding the removal of pyrolyzed gunk on an otherwise good stylus?

I routinely use an Onzow Zerodust as well as wet cleaners like Audio-Technica AT-607 alternating with Isopropyl from time to time.

Chemically speaking, while most wet stylus cleaners contain some sort of alcohol based compound, alcohols are not good solvents at removing / dissolving pyrolyzed vinyl (PVC) or release agents and other crap.

Tetrahydrofuran would work best but it is very dangerous. So what’s an enthusiast to do?

I have owned Ortofon MM cartridges for years and have never experienced stylus removal from a cantilever despite warnings to the contrary.

I’m about to try the Carbon Fiber stylus brush approach however I remain concerned regarding possible cantilever and / or cartridge suspension damage no matter how careful my 60 year old eyes and hands are.

There must be a better way. OTAY Spanky?

Hey Mikey.

Have you given the new Sticky Fingers reissue a spin?

If so, your thoughts on the sound and quality of this would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

dailyxeford.net

Hi Mike, What do you recommend for setting your antiskating? I have tried setting it a half a gram less than the tracking force. Recently, I ran across a youtube video that showed a guy using a blank CD. He set his tone arm down on it and the arm swung inward. He adjusted the antiskate dial and it swung outward. Then he adjusted it till it stayed put. This method makes sense, but I want to be sure. Thanks! Gary

Good morning Michael,
I purchased the actual Morch DP8 tonearm from SORAsound that you have reviewed. It now resides on my VPI HW19-3 and I look forward to reading the review.
Thanks
Michael Strear

Hello Michael,
Most hi-end TT's seem to use a record clamp or vacuum hold-down. My understanding is that Rega does not provide - nor recommend the use of - a record clamp for any of its TT models. Do you know know what the reason is for this position on Rega's part?
Thanks,
Nedward

Hi Mike, haven't wrote in in a while, I just viewed your youtube on the Riva's Magic Wand yesterday and I want to know who the artist you play up front ...." take a litte walk...." That was fantastic and would love to buy that album on vinyl buddy. Who is he and the title of that album, I've got to have it....!!! Please!
Vince F.
Phx, Az USA

This place is quite well to resolve the issues I love to visit here at https://www.analogplanet.com in order to fix my issues regarding music.
FL Studio 12 Crack is also a best program with a powerful music DAW.

Hi Michael,

I love reading your reviews and though I don’t often post I do highly value your opinion. My Lyra Delos is a few years old and I’m contemplating upgrading later this year. I could trade it in and get a discount on a Kleos. Alternatively, the new SoundSmith Paua mk II is attractive at a similar price. What are your thoughts? For reference, turntable is VPI Classic III, phono is Liberty Audio B2B, preamp is Manly Neo-Classic 300B and amp is McCormack DNA-250.

Hi Michael,

I tried to email you but it bounced back. Also tried to send a message on Facebook. But so far it has been unread. Can you provide an alternative contact? Or can I ask a question here?

Tried to email you @ Fremer@analogplanet.com and got this:

Your message to Fremer@analogplanet.com couldn't be delivered.

Fremer wasn't found at analogplanet.com.

Which Zero did you audition, the .7 or 1.0 ?
I've 400 10" mono lps and couple of thousand more between those and mid 60s issues. Having to choose between the two.

The effective length of tonearms on every Pro-Ject table I've seen is specified at 8.6 inches.

That's a very short arm length, which guarantees high levels of tracking error and distortion all across a record surface, except potentially at two null points.

At the very least, an 8.6 inch arm will have intrinsically higher distortion levels than the more standard length of 9 inches - such as employed by Rega - much less then longer lengths found in more sophisticated arms.

Any insights or ideas about this?

michael,

the original writing in this piece

https://www.stereophile.com/content/analog-vs-digital-home-brew-science-...

is 33 years old, but i'm relatively new to analog planet and would appreciate reading your current response to the points raised. also, why would stereophile re-release this piece at all?

my best,

dbouch

michael,

sorry i didn't bother to read the responses to the article on stereophile. i immediately came here for your response. i just now read your comments there, sooooo... never mind:)

dbouch