nothnks

My tone arm isn't adjustable, so I'm just gonna model it after the company's slipmat, and I'll stick with cork. Safe bet, inexpensive. Thanks for the ideas! Also, Tiny Engines is an awesome label. Keep up the good work!

Really been looking into getting a new slipmat. The go-to material seems to be cork. I know a lot of companies sell cork slipmats (Everyone seems to go to Pro-ject), but these seem a little pricey, and I was wondering what prevents me from making my own cork slipmat. Has anyone tried this? Is there a type of cork that I should go with? Thickness?

Yep, but the VTA adjustment was something I had my friend do cause I was nervous and he insisted that he knew what he was doing, which at this point, I'm sure didn't. Still new to a majority of the terms you're using, but the stylus isn't hitting the records straight down now but more at an angle, so I think I'm just gonna go with a new needle and make him pay for it. I'll try this in the morning Compared to my cartridge, both of these look like they're from outer space I've only been at this for about 2 years, so at the moment, I have a TTUSB, which is inexpensive, and as far as lower end turntables, is isn't bad. Saving up some money, and I plan on getting a Debut Carbon. The rest of my set up is pretty good. I have a 5 piece set of Klipsch Speakers (don't know models) and a Yamaha RX-930 receiver.

Found a tutorial that could or could not have been trustworthy, and raised the stylus, so distance from the record is no longer an issue. 1.5-2 spins throws it way back heavy, but I probably was about .5 too high. Dialing it to somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 gram gets me that harsh s sound. Needle is probably toast?

If I'm upgrading my cartridge, and I have a budget of $100, what would be my best option?

I live in Lancaster, PA, and record stores here are a bit lacking, but here's what I've got: Mr. Suit Records 118 West Chestnut Street Lancaster, PA 17603 Run by one guy, super friendly, get's new stuff often, and usually rare stuff, but it goes fast. Angry, Young, and Poor 356 West Orange St. Lancaster, PA 17603 Anything punk CI Records 226 N Prince St Lancaster, PA 17603 Small store, small selection, mostly new stuff. There's another place on Prince St called Stan's Record Bar that I wouldn't recommend, but go in if you have time. Large sign that says RECORDS, and it's across the street from an awesome Mexican place The Record Connection 550 N Reading Rd Ephrata, PA 17522 Pretty big store about 30 min away from Lancaster, good selection. Occasionally awesome stuff.

I recently replace the needle on my cartridge, and I've been noticing that the cartridge has been or has gotten extremely close to dragging along my records. I have a Shure M44G cartridge and I have the N44G needle that pairs with it. I know those aren't super high quality products, but I didn't have this problem before I replaced my needle, and I've been noticing some light surface noise-like sounds on brand new records with this needle. I keep the tracking force around .75 grams, which is the recommended tracking force. Any ideas?