Project Primary E turntable slightly distorted

[jotavinyl]

Hi!!

I recently got a ProJect Primary E, which has got very nice reviews for the entrly level segment.

Question is: I hear the sound a bit distorted. In fact I returned a first Primary E in which the distortion was unbearable: it made the turntable directly not usable.

Two days later I received a second one: the distortion level is by no means that of the first one, but I've got quite a trained ear (I am a drummer, piano player, bass player and producer) and I notice a slight distortion in the left channel at times...

Is it related with the stylus? It comes bundled with an Ortofon OM NN, which I think is low-end entry level as well. Perhaps an Ortofon Pro-S would improve?

Or could be that the turntable is delivering too hot a signal to the amplifier?

I am using the MM position in the amplifier PHONO input (a Sansui A-60), see attached. Is that correct?

 

[mtemur]

Could be anything but stylus looks more like the culprit here. I recommend trying a better cartridge. Swapping amplifier (phono) also worths considering.

 

[jotavinyl]

Could be anything but stylus looks more like the culprit here. I recommend trying a better cartridge. Swapping amplifier (phono) also worths considering.

Thanks for your reply. The turntable mounts an Ortofon NN, as shown in the attached box picture. Would you recommend changing the stylus only or the full cartridge, as I seem to read? In such case....which cartridge would you recommend for this Primary E model?

Regards...

 

[mtemur]

Thanks for your reply. The turntable mounts an Ortofon NN, as shown in the attached box picture. Would you recommend changing the stylus only or the full cartridge, as I seem to read? In such case....which cartridge would you recommend for this Primary E model?

Regards...

I recommend changing stylus first cause it’s removable. If it doesn’t solve the problem changing cartridge and checking tonearm’s side force seems like a good idea.

 

[jotavinyl]

I recommend changing stylus first cause it’s removable. If it doesn’t solve the problem changing cartridge and checking tonearm’s side force seems like a good idea.

Which stylus would you recommend then?

Thanks for a reply...

 

[mtemur]

Which stylus would you recommend then?

Thanks for a reply...

To try a new example of the same stylus will help to identify the problem but IOT achieve better details with lower distortion MicroRidge or equivalent would be my recommendation. I hope this helps.

 

[jotavinyl]

To try a new example of the same stylus will help to identify the problem but IOT achieve better details with lower distortion MicroRidge or equivalent would be my recommendation. I hope this helps.

MicroRidge stylus? Perhaps could you point which Ortofon OM compatible mounts these styli?

Regards....

 

[mtemur]

MicroRidge stylus? Perhaps could you point which Ortofon OM compatible mounts these styli?

Regards....

I guess OM40 is the closest.

 

[jotavinyl]

I guess OM40 is the closest.

Thank you very much. Regards!

 

[mtemur]

Thank you very much. Regards!

I’m glad to help.