Sound isnt as good as usual

[sgreiner1011]

Hi All,

I have had a lot of luck with using a Japanese Hara M-180 to cut 45RPM PVC with a diamond I got from MyShank. However, I am having an issue with the music sounding like I recorded it right out of a speaker. Its almost hallow sounding and it sounds like I am listening to the music through a paper towel tube like 20 feet away from the speaker. This just occurred today. No matter what I do, I cannot get a good quality recording like I was getting prior. Something happened and I do not know what.

The needle seems fine, although I did not put it under a microscope yet. What could cause this?

Has anybody ever had this issue? If you could let me know what you did or give me some advice, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

[sgreiner1011]

Still no progress...

I took the head apart to inspect it and it seems like its ok. I can hear clear sound out of it and it doesn't seem to be sounding like I described, although I'm thinking its hard to tell since its like putting an earbud up to your ear, but not inserting it. I wish this lathe had a speaker output so I could hear the sound quality coming through the amp more efficiently.

I looked at the needle under a microscope and it looks as sharp as usual. Its hard to see if it needs cleaned though. Could a needle that needs cleaned be the culprit? Maybe there is a small amount of PVC melted on it?

This problem just started abruptly yesterday. It wasn't gradual.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!