dumb cartridge question--do they need to warm up?

[rogerfederer]

A nice friend sent me an LP he felt i had to have: Steve Winwood, "Arc of a Diver" (nice guy). As I had another disk parked on my TD124 I put the new to me disk on my Denon, which I haven't used for months. I have both TTs routed to the same phono preamp (cambridge audio alvo duo) and have been using the Thorens recently, so the pre has been used recently. The cart is a re-tipped sumiko talisman S. I am using a SUT I bought over on AK a few years ago with the sumiko (not the Thorens).

Anyways, when I 1st started playing the Winwood LP it sounded terrible. I have now played both sides more than 3 times and it sounds much better. Each time I replay a side it sounds better, which is encouraging.

All this leads to my real questions: does a cartridge need to warm up after a period of disuse? Makes sense that the suspension might be stiff at first.

 

[Elite-ist]

What method are you using for cleaning your records before playing them? It's possible the repeated plays with the stylus in the groove is extracting more detail on consecutive passes. It was/is quite common with newly-pressed records the best sounding pass was/is not the first one.

Nando.

 

[rogerfederer]

What method are you using for cleaning your records before playing them? It's possible the repeated plays with the stylus in the groove is extracting more detail on consecutive passes. It was/is quite common with newly-pressed records the best sounding pass was/is not the first one.

Nando.

hmm, interesting theory. it is a used LP. discwasher with fluid so far. (i do have a RCM.) didn't sound dirty but that could be an explanation.

 

[Punker X]

I always though my Benz Ebony sounded much better after a couple sides. Not sure if its attention span or conceived lack of time that I rarely sit down and seriously listen to more that 2 sides.

 

[Wntrmute2]

I think so too. I usually figure by the time the first side is up, things are about as loosened up as they are going to be. I have no evidence though - just my gut feeling.

Hey Punker, did you get a PM from me?

 

[JohnVF]

I've had this happen with carts that have sat for awhile. I think its just the suspension loosening up after sitting for awhile. Like when you put on a pair of jeans after the wash and they're super uncomfortable but loosen up when you move around.

 

[airdronian]

I recall reading specs on a Japanese moving coil cart once that indicated either the compliance or tracking spec was at a certain temp (23C / 73 F). Can't recall the brand but I will try to find it. I remembered that because I knew that it would be next to impossible at my place without cranking the furnace up.

Fortunately, there is a solution: Cartridge Warmer

 

[Punker X]

@Wntrmute2

Hey Punker, did you get a PM from me?

I did and replied. Although it came through as a chat and not a message and only can find it though the alerts button.

 

[prime minister]

I recall reading specs on a Japanese moving coil cart once that indicated either the compliance or tracking spec was at a certain temp (23C / 73 F). Can't recall the brand but I will try to find it. I remembered that because I knew that it would be next to impossible at my place without cranking the furnace up.

Fortunately, there is a solution: Cartridge Warmer

Very cool. Don't think I've ever felt the need for one, but should the need arise, it's good to know they exist.

 

[airdronian]

This isn't the one I had in mind, but whatever. They do consider temperature.

 

[fiddlefye]

I am going say yes, definitely. Every time I have a session with the turntable unless I was listening just the night before or something for the first half side the sound is never, ever as clean, full and detailed as what follows. With lesser tables and electronics in years gone by it wasn't noticeable, but now it definitely is. It seems to take a day or so for this to set in, but set in it does, every time.