Performance of SMMC3/MMC3 best tracking weight

Hi all, I have been using an SMMC3 tracking at 1.2g and was wondering if anyone uses or finds a different tracking force better? On some songs/records when the letter S is spoken it sort of distorts a bit and in very high/powerful orchestra pieces it sort of distorts a bit as well.

These are brand new high quality recordings so I doubt it is them. I tried 1.3g but no real difference so I put it back to 1.2g.

Is this because I'm reaching the limits of the what an MMC3 can do? Does any better performance require a MMC2 or higher or MMC2 won't fix distortion, just make whatever is clear even clearer?

I think maybe Axles top of the range MMC1 is in order.............

It only does this on vinyl, not when playing a different source ie. IPod , cd, FM

I play quite loud volume, around number 4 on Beomaster 8000.

Thanks

Sounds like you're having similar 'sibilance' issues as was described on a recent thread regarding a BG9000 :

http://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/p/13629/118687.aspx#118687

 How do you know it is tracking at 1.2g?  have you used a digital scale?  If not, then it could be anything as the tonearm scales are not always accurate.  You also don't say which BG you are using.

Check the tracking weight accurately with a calibrated digital scale.  You will probably need to increase the weight a touch more.

Dave..

I had very similar problems with a MMC2 re-tipped with both a shibata and then fine line with sapphire cantilever. It would break up in very loud passages and I was never happy with the sibilant sounds. Although I preferred the MMC2 with sapphire cantilever. 

I did notice that it sounded better when the room was warmer and if I increased the tracking force to 1.6-1.8g.

In the end I got a BG6006 that uses the older style cartridges (I had a SP15) and the problem went away but unfortunately the suspension on the cartridge broke recently. I'm currently waiting for delivery of a MMC20CL from Axel so I'll update when I know how that performs.

Lee

 

I can lend you a cartridge if you like - I have a little collection including a shibata tipped MMC20 and MMC20CLs. I am just to the east of Newcastle - are you going to the B&O event tomorrow? If you are, I'll bring a couple along.

That's a very kind offer Peter thank you so much. I'm not sure that I will be able to make the event tomorrow, but if anything changes and I can attend I will let you know.

Lee