Retipped Klyde tracking issues

[Andrew E.M.]

I recently had an Ittok and an ESCO retipped Klyde fitted on my LP12. I was a little in trepidation because the Klyde seems to get wildly mixed responses on here and other forums, but I was in many ways delighted with the results. It did follow an AT95e so it was bound to be a big step-up, but I've found that as well as the great increase in resolution and refinement I immediately warmed to its presentation. And the harshness and sibilance I had been living with was now gone.

However I still have some of the tracking issues that others have reported. The situation was improved by getting my deck on a wall shelf, but the Klyde will not properly track certain records. It is only 2 or 3, but unfortunately they are records I really want to listen to. Examples:

1) Joanna Newsom's 'Ys' - I sent this back to Amazon believing that it was a bad copy because of occasional distortion, but the new copy had the same issues. I tried it on my brothers P3/AT95e and there were no issues. Saying that, it did sound mysteriously bad when I played it on my AT95e. So it still may be a pressing issue

2) John Coltrane - 'Crescent' (original Impulse Mono). Recently bought, cleaned on a Keith Monks twice by the vendor. The cheap DJ cart the shop was using tracked it fine but it distorts when I play it.

3) LFO - LFO - One of the great tests of sub-bass. When the subs come in, the Klyde can't cope at all. This is a hard test, but no problem for a cheap but sturdy AT95e.

On all these cases I think I'm hearing greater distortion on the right channel. I have tried various tracking weights and anti-skate settings, and tested that the Ittok anti-skate is working.

I'm torn because I like the Klyde's general sound. Do people have similar problems with Troikas and Arkivs, for example? I have wondered about getting a retipped Arkiv, but I've read an old review in Stereophile that said tracking was not its greatest asset either.

[flatpopely]

I have had 3 ESC retipped Troikas. The worst tracker was actually excellent, the one I have now is superb. Not heard a Klyde though. Did they fit a Paratrace stylus?

[Linnism]

How old is the cantilever suspension grommet?

[Magna Carter]

Andrew

I have an ESC re-tipped Troika in my Ittok and it tracks superbly well. Re-tipped last year. Never had any problems as far as I'm aware. Did ESC mention any issues with your cart?

Pete

[John G]

I never had tracking issues with my Linn rebuilt Klyde that had been subsequently rebuilt by Expert Stylus four times. Tracking issues do occur, especially near end of side cuts, when the diamond is badly worn. A sign that it's time for another rebuild or replacement of said cartridge.

[Magna Carter]

I just read your initial post again. Initially I thought you'd just had the cart re-tipped. But that's not what you say. Have you just bought the cart or was it re-tipped by a previous owner?

Pete

[Mudcrutch]

(2011-05-13 18:35)Mr Magoo Wrote:  I just read your initial post again. Initially I thought you'd just had the cart re-tipped. But that's not what you say. Have you just bought the cart or was it re-tipped by a previous owner?

Pete

Andrew,
Is the arm 100% also?
IE, does it pass the bearing test?
Also Was your Klyde fitted to the arm with the arm off the deck?
Mud

[HH2010]

From my experience there seems to be a significant spread in factory quality of Klydes regarding tracking and sound performance as well as durability. This is really a pain for customers and dealers.
Thanks to my dealers engagement I'm glad to have a wonderful one now.
Nevertheless it has some minor tracking issues left with very few records. So maybe you shoud just get used to it.
As already stated above, retipping might lead into problems with old suspensions.

To end the community's love-hate-relationship with the Klyde Linn should think about a troublefree midprice successor maybe based on Akiva (Lyra?) technologies. Not everyone wants to spend a pound per record side for the stylus and go for the Akiva.