I must share that after a few hours (especially the next day), the tonearm drops even slower and smoother after the silicon settled. So it is a great solution to the problem. Thx for watching everybody!
Hey Travis, thanks for the video, I'm confident that I can fix this on my AT-LP3 turntable which has the same issue now. However do you really need to put the liquid into the screw hole on the brass shaft? Shouldn't it be just around the exposed part of the brass shaft?
Tavis did great and thank god for this video. 2 things to consider which I found. Don't put the fluid in the smaller hole, it's unnecessary and may actually damage components underneath. Secondly don't bother using a syringe, it's just messy and puts more fluid in than you need. Instead just dip the end of a toothpick into the fluid and swirl it around the OUTSIDE of the brass piston only. 2 small drops is all you need.
Thanks for this note...I just used the slim screw driver (instead of tooth pick) out of the jewels screwdriver kit and the phillips to undo the screw...was pretty simple in the end and will be easy to add more in the future.
OMG OMG!!!! AWESOME!! I have had my AT-LP140 for less then 3 years and the cueing has been dropping like a bomb for about 9 months now. Off course its out of warranty. Finally decided to search for a solution and I found your video. I thought hmm.. surely it can't be that simple. So off to the hobby shop I went. Got this fluid whacked some in and BOOM!! Straight away it fixed it. Day 2 now and its even better. Thank you so much for sharing. TAVIS is the man!
Thanks Tavis, great content! I had the 120XUSB just for about 4 months and when it had an issue, I side-graded to the 120XUSB-BT it sacrifices 6% of the max tempo adjustment, maxing out at 10%. I’m definitely going to sock this video away for future reference! Keep on spinning!
I had the same issue but noticed right away that it was an extremely simple fix. On mine, it didn't need any damping fluid, it just needed to be adjusted. I figured it out almost immediately when I put my Phillips screwdriver into the same screw. As I started to turn my screwdriver counter-clockwise, it didn't feel like it was actually screwed into anything! So, I slowly and very carefully turned my screwdriver the other direction for just a couple of turns. I then checked and much to my delight and surprise, the tonearm was falling slowly and gently down to the record. I bought my turntable used over a year ago and this is the first time it has worked properly! I hope this helps you as well as all your subs and the entire vinyl loving community!
Wow. That’s awesome. I wish you would have made a video showing that. I could have saved some money and energy. LOL! Thx for watching. I appreciate you 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I never thought of making a video. I bought my Audio-Technica used and I figured the damped cueing mechanism just needed fluid. Of course, what was wrong with mine might not have been the same problem that you were having. I appreciate your positive comments as I appreciate you. THANKS!
Sounded like a great idea but didn't work for me. Indeed the screw was a bit loose but that has its reason: It affects the height of the tonearm / cartridge before putting it on the platter. If you turn the screw all the way down the cue lever doesn't raise the tonearm and it doesn't float over the record anymore. I'll try that silicone gel next.
Tavis, Here is the update on my repair. I did just as you instructed and it did not work at first. I had to apply the 500K Diff fluid four times in small increments. After the fourth application, it seemed as if it was starting to work. So, I waited until the next morning and it was like Walla, and magically it started work perfectly every time. Note: From my observation, you do not have to put the fluid in the big hole at the top. That’s just a cavity for the cue arm pin guide to follow and keep it in the right position. However, the brass piece with the threads for the screw is actually a cylinder that slides up and down the guide rod. That’s where you would want to put your diff fluid. Getting the diff fluid around the guide rod under the cylinder is what makes it happen along with the spring assist. Thank you so much, my new vinyl friend. Next, I’m trying the Simple Green,🤫
I just asked my local repair shop this very day about repairing my cue lever. Yes, I have this exact same problem with my AT-LP 120-USB. They told me it was going to cost a minimum of $75. I will see them this Saturday at the swap meet. I understand they’re in business to make money but this is ridiculous. Thanks for the video. I’m going to try the same thing and I will give you an update on the results👍🏾
I see now truly why you are a teacher you’re a good no you’re a great teacher.that was fantastic the way you did it and explain in detail tavis your kids at your school are lucky to have someone like you. Be bless take care
I finally did this and it works great! Needed to let it sit for a day before it was smooth throughout the entire drop. I didn't have a syringe and first tried to make a small funnel with paper covered in plastic tape but the silicon was too thick to push it through. Ended up just using a toothpick to pick up globs of it and push it through the holes. Worked out pretty clean that way, didn't have any excess to wipe off. Thanks again for the video!
@@vinyltalkwithtavis3145 it just all of a sudden stopped working today-- back to dropping fast. It wasn't even a slow corruption, felt a little stuck going up, and then now it just drops like it used to. I'll add more silicon and see.
@@cactuscoolest4564 Yes, seems so. I just did it again, altho it's been dropping fast for a while. I just replaced my stylus based on it being about 18 months and figured it was a good time to reapply silicon while I was going to have to rebalance anyway.
I had the same problem with my sl190 automatic turntable. At first I add the silicone reinstalled everything started it up still drops like a brick. waited a couple of hours and it worded fine. Thanks for your help , your the best!!!!!!!!!
Man, I love your vids that I have seen so far! You have a great demeanor and your explanation is very clear and patient. Keep up the great work and look forward to watching your future work!
Hey Travis, thanks for this! The only thing I might add is use the 300K viscosity silicone. Went on some high-end turntable sites and that seems to be the preference. Slightly thinner than the 500K. 1:39
No need to go through all those messy machinations to get the silicone into the dispenser. Simply push the plunger all the way in, then insert the tip of the dispenser directly into the bottle, and pull the plunger back to draw it into the tube. You may have to squeeze the bottle a bit to get the silicone up into the neck of the bottle so the tip of the dispenser can reach it.
Thank you for this video for years i been dealing with this problem i own 22 turn tables some are from the 70s to later Again thanks for the information that you have provided.
Hey thanks for the great video Tavis! Tried this trick just now, put a record on and it works great. I bought the turntable April 24, 2022 and it started dropping too fast by the beginning of July. I used a toothpick to keep the mess contained, and only swabbed a little bit around the brass piston. You saved me a few hundred bucks, much appreciated man!
Thanks for this. Our tonearm dropped like a rock right out of the box. I just added the dampening fluid and it's working like it should've this whole time. It's almost like a whole new turntable now.
Wow that problem as been pissing me off as it's the only fault I can find with this turn table it even bent my stylus which I replaced many thanks have subscribed to your channel
Good to see you again Travis I really love your intro song when starting your show I too have the ATLP -12O and had the same problem with mine but I took a guess when I fixed mine I saw a video of a guy fixing his pioneer TT from the early 80's ,You think with all the money you pay for this TT they would do a better job in keeping this from going after a few years not happy with that very disillusioned with today's TT manufacturers I have a Onkyo TT FROM Thr 80"a and the cueing still works on it still I even got a used Dual TT FROM the 70'd and a BSR the cueing still works not trying to put down but growing up in the 70's things were made with pride and quality not like today you pay more buy get less like today's TT's all manual but We had all automatics with better specs than the new TT's that they make today but glad I saw this video at least I now know I did this right thanks for the patient way you showed on how to do this I first lost that spring when I did it took a while when I lost it to find it thanks again take care JRo
Hi tavis I have the same problem with my turntable but it's a Denon and a tonearm likes to drop a little bit too quick and that's not very healthy for the needle of your records yeah I guess I'm going to have to do what you're doing because it really gets irritating thank you for the video
@Tavis this is a fantastic video, I just got the 500k Diff Lube today and will do this procedure a little later, it's great to see you succeeded and that you didn't have much trouble. It was also hilarious the way you narrated and reacted, plus the great record, you rock Tavis! Thanks, and keep up the great work 👍
My Technics SL-220 had this ''dropping'' problem , but i saw some videos (including this one) using this technique with the Silicone fluid , so i ordered a bottle from Amazon , and i repaired it ! 😁😁 but i had to clean the inside of my turntable the day after , because i injected too much fluid and it got inside the auto-stop mechanism, it sticked on it and it caused the tonearm to return on the begining of the record when it finished the auto-return cycle 😅😅 Now , everything is fine ...the tonearm drops smoothly ! Thanks for the tips ! 👍👍
I'm came here to try to fix the lifter on my panasonic sl-h401 turntable. My problem was that it was not lifting high enough. So the arm wouldn't have lifted high enough and it would make the needle skid every time it would finish a record while trying to put the arm back to rest position (automatic setting) So just by you letting me know there's a screw on that lifter, it gave me an idea to try to screw around wihh it and it fixed the problem. Now the lifter lifts higher and can properly lift the arm as it should. I can now use the automatic start and stop options my turntable has. Thanks to you.
I just started a 78 record collection and waiting on my new AT-LP120XUSB to arrive but now I'm having some regrets about buying it. I have a AKAI professional record player for years and have never had any problems with it. The only reason I bought the LP120 was for the 78rpm speed as my old player only plays at 33 and 45. LP120 is not expensive but its not cheap either. I shouldn't have to anticipate fixes in the future. Thanks, your videos are a great help.
I just returned an at lpgo. Bought at walmart as my first. Had some issues and had to return it 25 days later. Decided to upgrade to the at lp120xusb. Should be here Wednesday. Already have 50+ albums so im excited for the digital conversion option out of the box. Seeing this issue mentioned a lot in reviews. So im looking ahead to the future if this happens to mine.
Thanks for a great video, Tavis. My AT-LP120 is only 2-1/2 years old yet mine has been doing the rapid-drop for at least a year. No matter how careful I am lowering the cue a millimeter at a time, it will still drop rapidly. It really p***es me off, especially when it does it on a $100 (or more) LP. I'm going to order my fluid tomorrow and get this fixed now. I've had enough. Thanks again for the info!
@@vinyltalkwithtavis3145 Hey again, Tavis. I finally received my 500k diff fluid from Amazon and went through the procedure that you detailed. Afterward, I thought that it still seemed like it was dropping a bit too fast. So I took is apart a second time and put a bit of diff fluid into the third hole (the one on the far left). I wasn't sure if I should or not. But it seemed to help a bit. Again, thanks for the great video. My prized LP's thank you, too. P.S.: Your shirt is cool.
Great tip. My old AT-LP120 did this and it was a constant source of annoyance. Just replaced it with the AT-LP120X (due to a broken connection between the cartridge and tone arm) so I'll remember this for when the inevitable happens! Thanks man!
Thank you so much for this video I have the same turntable and it had the same issue, but added some silicone gel like you did and now it is perfect. An upgrade I did to mine was to install an ortofon 2m blue cartridge. It is not cheap but boy does it make this turntable sound good. The other thing, mine is connected to a “Rega io” amp and “Bower and Wilkins 607 S2 anniversary additions” speakers, the sound is amazing. I know this turntable is like a tribute act to the technics sl-1200 but it sounds so good in this setup that there is no way justify the extra cost of the technics.
Many thanks for this video!I own one of the original 120USB turntables and I have noticed it is exhibiting this same problem...I will order some of the silicone fluid and do the same procedure you did..hopefully with the same results!
i just got a brand new 140XP -the more expensive professional DJ turntable…. the cueing lever, when brought down, does not even bring the tonearm down unless you push it manually and after a few times it starts working but if you come after a few hours it starts doing the same thing but when it does come down it takes several seconds (often 10-15 seconds)
what nobody seems to be aware of, is this is not the proper way to fix this for a long lasting repair, the silicone damping fluid is actually supposed to go down inside between the gold colored brass piston and cylinder that the screw goes into - youre trying to create a slow hydraulic release. ive watched repair techs do this repair on other tables and they take it apart go underneath and remove the brass piston and cylinder, pull the piston out of the cylinder apply the fluid to the inside of the brass cylinder and outside of the brass piston the screw goes into and then reassemble the whole deal - some say the piston will come out the top if you pull on the screw but ive never seen it done that way.
Love your videos! Your review of this turntable convinced me to buy it! Unfortunately it’s on back order due to the virus. Could you give us a follow up in a week or two. I’m interested to see if the silicone hardens or changes at all.
How is she working now? I’m guessing this is a year after this video was made. I’m looking at getting this one. Still holding up great? Any other problems arise? Love your videos with a genuine reaction and not just a “production” type review. Keep em comin.
Hey thx so much. Oh man…this turntable is still rocking the house! She keeps me happy!!! I’m even thinking of buying a black one. I highly recommend this machine bro!!! All the best!
Ayyyyye HomeSkillet i shared your excitement watching the cue lever go down like butter. I have a Gemini XL-500 MK2 and it has the same issue. Thank u!💪🏽
Tavis, great video but this appears to be a failure in almost 100% of LP 120 turntables in the first 6 months. So why should the consumer foot the bill for the fluid and labour when it is bulit-in fault of Audio -Technica during their warranty?
You need more damping fluid added to the hole where the screw goes in, and it appears you have anti-skating issues too...! That AT cueing mechanism is another rip from Technics, so check out the Technics damping fluid instructions for the Technics SL-1401...It should take from 3 to 5 seconds to drop, otherwise you're stressing the stylus cantilever and the stylus itself when it hits the vinyl...
But you wouldn’t want to put it there when doing this type of work. It’s best to put it somewhere away from where the procedure is being done. I keep my Ortofon 2M MONO cartridge/head shell stored back there for when I’m playing 78s. Easy swap.
Beautiful man! Glad you got it fixed. I can't wait to get this turntable. Be a nice upgrade from what I have. Luckily I got the differential oil i need for the tone arm dampener. Got about 6 different ones infact. Use it in my hobby grade rc's. Loving the videos man!
I have the same problem but then I figured out all you need to do is move the lever slowly to the middle position & then the tone arm will drop down slow and smooth. Then you can move the lever all the way down once the stylus has made contact with the record.
Excellent Tavis!! I just received my new 120x and I'm going bro have to follow your video. If I want to upgrade my cartridge where can I buy the cartridge and headshell already assembled so all I have to do is screw it into the tonearm and balance the arm etc...?😀
