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Post by edisonh19 on Mar 27, 2015 23:55:07 GMT -5
I have been working on restoring and fine tuning my H-19 lately. I am wondering if there is anything specific that might cause distortion/vibration at the higher end tones on Diamond Discs. Is this a reproducer problem or are there other parts in the system that can cause slight distortion of the sound? I'm not sure whether to call it distortion or vibration. It's sort of like the very high end of the music is slightly dulled or fuzzy. I've adjusted the height of the reproducer as it was sitting slightly lower than prescribed in the owner's manual. When the reproducer was raised above the record, the arm used to swing very freely, now it is much stiffer to move back and forth. Is this normal? I like that there isn't so much play when trying to place the arm down on the record, but I worry that I may be causing premature wear. Any input? Thanks in advance!
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Post by edisonh19 on Mar 28, 2015 0:14:50 GMT -5
Here is a short clip of my H-19 playing "Sweet Indiana Home." Hopefully it will work for everyone. Some of the distortion I am describing doesn't translate well to the recording, but you can sort of hear it in the first part of the recording. I wonder if some of the problem is just slightly worn records? This particular record is in very nice condition and doesn't exhibit as much of the distortion as some of the others do. Attachments:edison.mp3 (942.98 KB)
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Post by lucius1958 on Mar 28, 2015 2:48:20 GMT -5
To be frank, I do not notice any significant distortion in that clip. True, the sound file may not accurately reflect what one hears in person, and my hearing is not the best...
The resistance you feel when the horn is raised is possibly due to the collar with the leaf spring pressing harder on the underside of the bedplate. If you loosen the screw and lower the collar a fraction, the resistance should ease up.
BillS
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Post by larryh on Mar 28, 2015 6:32:37 GMT -5
I think I detect a bit of fuzzy sound over the instruments but nothing really obviously wrong. Your diaphragm may just be old and many of them then display distorted sound. If it an original diaphragm or something else?
Larry
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Post by edisonh19 on Mar 28, 2015 9:03:57 GMT -5
I sent the reproducer out to a company called "Yesterday Once Again" back in the early 90s because the stylus was badly damaged when I bought the machine. I think they were in California. The diaphragm is still the original cork one, but I think they put in new seals around it (or at least they were supposed to overhaul it). I was looking at it and noticed that there is sort of a thin brick red colored seal that is held in by a gold ring. That seal is kind of floppy if that makes sense, feels like it might be somewhat dry. Overall the sound is bright and clear, but I've never heard another Diamond Disc machine in person. I didn't want to poke around too much for fear of damaging something.
I'll check on that leaf spring in a bit. The entire raising/lowering mechanism was disassembled when I purchased this machine, so I rebuilt it front the photos in the instruction manual (which aren't very good). Maybe someone has some nice clear photos showing one that is assembled as built.
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Post by larryh on May 29, 2015 16:22:22 GMT -5
Many original diaphragms display some distortion on loud portions. In my past experience with them I personally never had an original that satisfactorily played everything clearly. Another source is the stylus. Some records I thought were damaged turned out to the worn stylus. Much like a steel needle when its been played more than a few records it can cause very fuzzy sound. Replacing one with a fresh needle will often cause the sound to then be considerably better. Slight wear on edison records can exhibit a sound something like your describing. Sometimes its hard to tell exactly which is the cause.
Larry H.
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