Clearaudio emotion turntable setup

[trumpetplayer]

I just got a Clearaudio Emotion turntable and this is my first time doing this type of setup. I was wondering what is the proper position for the tonearm. Should the cartridge body be parallel to the platter? I called the store I bought it from and he said push it all the way down, but then if I did that the tonearm would be way to low the arm lift wouldn't even work. I need help.

[oxenholme]

If you do not get any help from your dealer try emailing patrick@clearaudio.de for advice...

[pbthal]

Your armtube should be parallel to the record, all the way down for most carts would be way too low

[nelamvr6]

I really recommend gettin Mikey Fremer's DVD. It really makes setting up turntables go a lot easier.

You can get it at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/21st-Century-Vinyl-Practical-Turntable/dp/B000HA4WU2/sr=8-1/qid=1171790225/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-6202660-9268939?ie=UTF8&s=dvd).

[eden-audio]

You should have three little plastic circular things in the box,you place these under the arm on the underneath of the tunrntable,so that the arms base sits on them,the arm will sit plush in the hole that was cut for it,if everything is parralell,but thoes plastic cup/rings are important to sit under the arm base,a bit cheap and tacky,but needed.

[trumpetplayer]

You should have three little plastic circular things in the box,you place these under the arm on the underneath of the tunrntable,so that the arms base sits on them,the arm will sit plush in the hole that was cut for it,if everything is parralell,but thoes plastic cup/rings are important to sit under the arm base,a bit cheap and tacky,but needed.


Hi

my set didn't come with those. I think that was the earlier addition. Right now I'm kind of disappointed with the sound of this, my MMf-5 sounds and plays better at this point.

M.W.

[Eric B]

I have had both turntables, MMF-5 & Clearaudio Emotion (and many others) and once you get the Clearaudio set up properly...It is simply a better outfit all around. It sounds outstanding with super clean LPs. Not a outfit to play "beaters" though...much too detailed.
Eric

[trumpetplayer]

Thanks for the replies and I think I got it set up right, but I'm still getting a ton of innergroove distortion especially on highs and Mono recordings. Eric is right some of my "beaters" do not play well on this table. I know its still breaking in but I'm not sure I'm going to keep this table.

[Frumaster]

YES I have had the same problem on Mono recordings also! I actually returned records because I thought the groove distortion was on them. But now I find that even with brand new mono records, I get this distortion that sounds like groove wear. Does anyone know how to fix this? I cant imagine why this TT would have problems with that. Could anti-skate be the culprit?

Oh, and as for arm height.....The instructions are poor in that area. I was confused about it for a while too. I think we have the direct wired version that you just have to screw in at a height that allows the arm to be about parallel with the cart attached. My tendency was to have it higher at the pivot, and it wasnt until I lowered it past parallel that I noticed a much smoother sound.

[Spin Doctor]

Not that this has anything to do with your problem, but I was mildly interested in the Emotion when I was TT shopping awhile back. I'd never heard one, but just looking at it I could tell it was going to be pretty detailed because it's all acrylic and has no dampening or isolation anywhere in its design (that I could see) which would tend to make it a bit finicky on old records. I sort of assumed that the grove noise will always make it want to resonate. I can't figure why it would have a problem with new mono records, though. Anyway, this lead me to not buy it and based on what you two are saying, my assumptions seemed to have been correct.

I ended up with an MMF-7 with a maestro cart for less that the cost of an Emotion (although the prices have increased significantly since I got mine, nor does it come with the Maestro cart), and I'm very happy with it. The maestro is a great tracker and lets all the music out even on old records. I would imagine having to at least double the cost of the MMF-7 to get significant improvements in sound, so it may be worth investigating this table if you plan to ditch the Emotion.

That said, you might want to try some type of air bearing or sand box isolation system which may help the sound of the Emotion. Isolation methods can have a pretty drastic effect on sound quality, for better or worse.

Also as Frumaster noted, going tail down on the VTA tends to smooth the sound and accent the bass while raising the arm past parallel tends to accent the highs and brighten the sound.

Sorry for being so wordy.

[trumpetplayer]

I've decided to return this TT. I see no reason to spend $1000 on a table that can play "beaters" or decent mono recordings properly. I have a ton of Classic Jazz and Rock records that are not in the best of condition but they play great on my MMF-5. I'm going to wait and save a few more dollars and get the VPI Scout or Scoutmaster.

[Frumaster]

I guess the question is, What if the Emotion IS playing your "beaters" accurately? What if the other tables are masking ticks and pops?....then you'd have to wonder what else they are covering up. Perhaps you are trading away some good qualities in order to enjoy fair condition records. I think everything in audio is a comprimise.

The MONO problem is the only thing that really bothers me about the table. I'm hoping that my setup is just a little off. Is there any more information on this forum or another forum about mono problems on this table? Actually, I do not get distortion on some mono records. Could it be that I am using a stereo cart, and therefore some mono records have noise in the stereo direction that I should not be picking up (if I had a mono cart)? Maybe it has to do with how hot the cut is.......it does seem that on louder mono's the distortion is worst. I'm going to try and contact my dealer, and maybe Clearaudio about that.

[trumpetplayer]

I guess the question is, What if the Emotion IS playing your "beaters" accurately? What if the other tables are masking ticks and pops?....then you'd have to wonder what else they are covering up. Perhaps you are trading away some good qualities in order to enjoy fair condition records. I think everything in audio is a comprimise.

Thats a very good question. "Beaters" is probably not the right word for some of the ones I've tried out. My copy of Carl & the Passions the Pet Sounds disc is in vg+ condition. Even my wife commented on how great it sounded on the Music Hall but on the Clearaudio every time Brian hit those notes the sound broke up. Innergroove distortion galore. Maybe its the cartridge.

[MikeyH]

Thats a very good question. "Beaters" is probably not the right word for some of the ones I've tried out. My copy of Carl & the Passions the Pet Sounds disc is in vg+ condition. Even my wife commented on how great it sounded on the Music Hall but on the Clearaudio every time Brian hit those notes the sound broke up. Innergroove distortion galore. Maybe its the cartridge.

I'd be borrowing another, identical cart for a trial.

My experience is that turntables that work best minimise noise and distortion as opposed to revealing it (careful comparison shows that the noise is still there, but you don't care because you're too busy listening to what the musicians are doing..), This is not a function of price, either..

I no longer build my own tables and arms, but doing so was very enlightening.

[TONEPUB]

I'd suggest calling the folks at Musical Surroundings. They are the importer for Clearaudio and Im sure they can lend a hand...

Where did you buy it?

[trumpetplayer]

I'd suggest calling the folks at Musical Surroundings. They are the importer for Clearaudio and Im sure they can lend a hand...

Where did you buy it?

I talked with Tom over at Musical Surroundings and he suggested changing the tracking force from 2.0 to 2.8. I'm going to try it today. If that doesn't help he wants me to send him the serial numbers. I bought it from Elusive Discs. The tech Jason has been great.

[TONEPUB]

Tom's a great guy to deal with. I hope it solves your problems, as it is always a pain to return stuff and start over. Best of luck!

[Frumaster]

Thats a very good question. "Beaters" is probably not the right word for some of the ones I've tried out. My copy of Carl & the Passions the Pet Sounds disc is in vg+ condition. Even my wife commented on how great it sounded on the Music Hall but on the Clearaudio every time Brian hit those notes the sound broke up. Innergroove distortion galore. Maybe its the cartridge.

I have tried 2 different Clearaudio cartridges on it, but I have not tried a different brand. Let me guess, this record was in mono? I am going to try increasing tracking force like you said.....mine has already been at about 2.3 but I'll raise it a few tenths and report back.

[trumpetplayer]

I've had this table almost 2 months now, I thought I'd do a follow up.
This is a sweet turntable, now that it and the cartridge has broken in some it plays beautiful. Earlier I had stated that it didn't play mono record to well. I was dead wrong. Like with every record it depends on the condition. Some beaters play good some don't, just like other tables i've had. I'm really glad I stuck with it.