zeb_enjoys_vinyl Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 I finally feel the need to post something about this... In the past 6 months or so, I've somewhat been avoiding listening to records... Like I'll get a new one and listen to it and then just put it on the shelf and not take it out for months... This is because it just doesn't sound good... I have an ortofon 2m red on a project debut carbon with good speakers and a receiver... This system works fantastically with mp3s and ccassettes, but the turntable just sounds like shit... I just changed the stylus on the red and it helped for maybe 3 record plays and the sound quality started to decrease... I clean my needle and records often so that's not the problem.. I have set up the cartridge step by step to instruction manuals and videos... I just think at this point that I fucking hate the 2m red... I need a new cartridge and I'm not rich, so any suggestions for a sub $100 cartridge that's even slightly better than this hunk of garbage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabpower Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 The problem surely lies elsewhere. I've been rocking my 2M Red for 2 years now without a problem. I'm sure a lot of other users would say the same. Make sure you clean your stylus from back to front with minimal contact. Have you checked your wires on the headshell? Does it sound distortioned (overpowered)? Or too low (muffed)? Does sound cuts from the left or right? Do you need to adjust the volume for a record compared to a cassette? Are you sure your preamp is set straight? Or do you use a Phono input on your amp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidamnesiac Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Can you give us a more specific description of your problem than "it just doesn't sound good"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeb_enjoys_vinyl Posted March 3, 2015 Author Share Posted March 3, 2015 i dont know if id call it distorted... idk... it just doesnt sound high quality... like if you were to have a video in 1080P that you are viewing in 420P... i dont know how to phrase it any other way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Yeah I hate this thread. It's your setup and calibration of the table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Also you don't get 1080p with sub $100 carts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 And "good speakers and receiver" tells us nothing. State all components, and how it's all connected. And your cleaning methods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeb_enjoys_vinyl Posted March 3, 2015 Author Share Posted March 3, 2015 im just saying it sounds fine with mp3 and cassettes... i clean the stylus with a soft brush and use a spin clean with my records Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tardcore Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 probably your turntable setup as mentioned above but without the rest of the details, it's just a guessing game and kind of a waste of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeb_enjoys_vinyl Posted March 4, 2015 Author Share Posted March 4, 2015 It's all wired correctly... I know that for a fact... If there's something wrong with the setting only someone who owns a debut carbon can help. After zeroing I turned the knob up 17 notches (1.7 grams) and have the antiskate thingy on the second notch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Did you confirm that it's 1.7g? You still didn't say what your other gear is... Also, saying "If there's something wrong with the setting only someone who owns a debut carbon can help" is real ignorant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeb_enjoys_vinyl Posted March 4, 2015 Author Share Posted March 4, 2015 I'm not gonna take the time to get the model numbers and shit because I know for a fact it isn't the problem... And I can confirm that It's 1.7 grams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Ok. So what you're saying is you don't want help? And how did you confirm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeb_enjoys_vinyl Posted March 4, 2015 Author Share Posted March 4, 2015 But they're Samson bookshelf speakers and a Kenwood phono reciever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 The receiver model is important. Though I'm guessing the phono channel could also be bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dethrock Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 The receiver model is important. Though I'm guessing the phono channel could also be bad. But mp3's sound great, it's not the receiver.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tardcore Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 But mp3's sound great, it's not the receiver.... unless it's the phono input.... gabpower 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney Crosley Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 I had a Kenwood receiver with phono in. Was from the early 90s I think. The phono in was pretty lousy. Especially compared to my NAD phono preamp. And when I replaced the receiver, huge change in sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dethrock Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 unless it's the phono input.... Ugh yeah sorry sarcasm is hard to portray on a forum. I thought the ... was enough but I should have put a smiley face or something. I can just see the OP denying there's anything wrong with the phono section since everything else works fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 C'mon dethrock, you know us Muricans can read your Canuck humor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tardcore Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 C'mon dethrock, you know us Muricans can read your Canuck humor. Well, one thing is clear. I really do hate this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 The "y'all" made me hate it before I read it. THEN I READ IT AND IT GOT WORSE. Klefki 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 So Zeb, the balancing method is Ok, but it's hardly accurate. Based on your limited info, here's what I'd suggest (in this order): 1. Buy the $20 digital scale a few of us picked up off of Amazon recently. It's accurate and it will ensure proper VTF of any turntable and cartridge. 2. Try a stand alone phono pre. As some have mentioned, the built-in phono pre of your amp may not be working properly, or just may not sound great. Bonus points if you can borrow one to see if that helps before you spend the money. 3. Upgrade your cart. I'm not a huge Ortofon fan, maybe you're not, as well. Or, maybe your cartridge is defective, or maybe you just have such refined taste from your MP3s and cassettes, that entry level phono equipment just simply will not do! The problem is, under $100 is tough. The Shure M97xe requires the bigger counter weight for the Debut III, not sure if it's the same for the Carbon. There was a AT cartridge AT95e, or something like that, that Michael Fremer was using for his cartridge shootout. Not sure that a sub $100 cart will satisfy you, but I understand your inwillingness to spend money if you don't know if it will fix you problem, or if you just don't have the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Oh, man, you mean, we really weren't trying to help? Oh, oh, well then: NICE SPEAKERS AND AMP MORON!!! ajxd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 For a second I thought you were going soft on us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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