ohbythebay
New member
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Hello Sharks,
I don't pretend to be an expert but I will say I am pretty proficient at setting up a turntable and squeezing the best sound from ANY turntable. If you are experienced, this is not for you though you will find some tidbits (like setting anti-skate). For newbies, this is essential. dont short change your listening pleasure. Proper setup is essential for a variety of reasons as follows:
I do have a 20+ minute setup video but it is truly 101 and perhaps by posting here, it would be easier to follow. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnskL8Pe6fk
So let’s begin.
There are x number of areas to address (in order) for proper setup. Do these and you will be amazed at how well your table sounds and performs
Table balance
Cartridge mount and overhang
VTF - Vertical tracking force (how much weight is being applied)
Alignment
VTA - Vertical tracking angle (the angle of the arm as it applies to the cart and stylus)
Azimuth
Anti skate
Table Balance
Before you do any you want to ensure your table is balanced. If you are going to setup the arm and cartridge someplace other than where it will be placed finally, then skip this step until then. Using a small level (6" or 12") check the level by placing it on your platter facing front to back and then left to right. Is the bubble dead level? If not, shim the feet in whatever direction is needed to make the table dead level. You would be surprised how much this affects tracking and skating forces.
Cartridge mounting and overhang
No matter if your cartridge came unmounted or mounted, you want to be sure it is in the proper area within the headshell or mount. That is, how far forward or back and square in the mount. The manufacturers talk about overhang. So what is overhang? Overhang is how far the tip of the stylus should be PAST the spindle if you moved the arm all the way over. It is generally some number like 17mm or 15mm...Everyone is different. This is helpful because every cartridge is built differently, some longer or shorter or longer than others. What does not change is where the tip of that needle should be.
But Rob, how do I measure overhang? Good question and not always easy to do. Some manufacturers give you an overhang gauge which you put over the headshell mount (while it’s off the arm) and align the stylus tip to the line. See diagram.
If you dont have a gauge, don’t sweat. Never sweat. Another way is to mount it square, somewhat centered in the headshell (forward and back equal) and keep the cart loose enough to move. Make a small index card with a measurement that you need (say 17mm). With two lines. Hold the card by the spindle, straight up centered on one line. Move the arm over and see if the needle aligns to the second line. if it doesn't, slide the cart forward or back until it does. This is your rough approximation and will save you ALOT of time later when you get to alignment. See diagram.
Before you do the next steps, if you have an anti-skate dial, set it to ZERO for now. Important.
VTF - Vertical tracking force (weight applied to the vinyl from the cartridge)
This is another important step and one best completed with a tool (in a moment) as it is directly related to tracking and wear. Let’s first dispel a myth. Myth - use the lightest tracking you can. False False. Insufficient force is just as bad as too much force. It causes mistracking and can damage your vinyl.
Ever cart manufacturer gives recommended tracking force for their cart. Some are light, some are heavier but don't let that be your decision on purchasing a cartridge. A cartridge that tracks at 2gr does not wear your vinyl more than one that tracks at 1.25gr. It’s just the nature of the cart, suspension, needle type, etc.
The first step is to balance the arm. This is done with the cart mounted and using your counterweight on teh back of the arm. Set the arm in is rest but not locked. Turn the counterweight clockwise or counter clock wise till you get the arm to "float"..not moving up, not down on the rest. You will only be turn the BACK part of the counterweight, NOT the dial.
Once the arm is floating turn the dial (just the dial) to zero. This is your rough calibration. Now, holding BOTH the dial and the counterweight, turn to apply more weight (dial is moving up in numbers) until you reach the grams recommended. I suggest move to the HIGH side of recommended. Example - the cart recommends 1.0 to 1.75... set it for 1.6 to 1.65. Why? Because marketing material and engineering specs differ. The marketing wants to sell you on the idea on how light it tracks. The engineers know optimal is higher, not lower.
So, it’s set, right ? Not yet. Many counter weight gauges are way off or at least enough to be worrisome. I recommend an inexpensive ($15) digital gram scale. They are used generally for weighing jewelry, easily available and only slightly larger than an ipod mini. Use this to measure the actual gram weight (lower the cart gently onto the scale) and adjust as needed. See picture.
Alignment
Okay, this is the one that throws people and is very important. It can be very easy if you breathe, relax, understand what you are trying to achieve. The whole purpose of alignment is to get the best possible tracking of an arm/cartridge across an ever decreasing radius of the album. So it takes two points measured to split the difference because there is no such thing as 100% perfect alignment . Well, maybe on a linear tracker. But the typical arm, it is impossible to achieve perfection because of physics. You can read more on this on your own. Suffice to say what we want to achieve is NEAR perfection balanced across all tracks.
I don't pretend to be an expert but I will say I am pretty proficient at setting up a turntable and squeezing the best sound from ANY turntable. If you are experienced, this is not for you though you will find some tidbits (like setting anti-skate). For newbies, this is essential. dont short change your listening pleasure. Proper setup is essential for a variety of reasons as follows:
- Best Sound
- Even and proper cartridge wear
- Avoid damaging your vinyl
I do have a 20+ minute setup video but it is truly 101 and perhaps by posting here, it would be easier to follow. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnskL8Pe6fk
So let’s begin.
There are x number of areas to address (in order) for proper setup. Do these and you will be amazed at how well your table sounds and performs
Table balance
Cartridge mount and overhang
VTF - Vertical tracking force (how much weight is being applied)
Alignment
VTA - Vertical tracking angle (the angle of the arm as it applies to the cart and stylus)
Azimuth
Anti skate
Table Balance
Before you do any you want to ensure your table is balanced. If you are going to setup the arm and cartridge someplace other than where it will be placed finally, then skip this step until then. Using a small level (6" or 12") check the level by placing it on your platter facing front to back and then left to right. Is the bubble dead level? If not, shim the feet in whatever direction is needed to make the table dead level. You would be surprised how much this affects tracking and skating forces.
Cartridge mounting and overhang
No matter if your cartridge came unmounted or mounted, you want to be sure it is in the proper area within the headshell or mount. That is, how far forward or back and square in the mount. The manufacturers talk about overhang. So what is overhang? Overhang is how far the tip of the stylus should be PAST the spindle if you moved the arm all the way over. It is generally some number like 17mm or 15mm...Everyone is different. This is helpful because every cartridge is built differently, some longer or shorter or longer than others. What does not change is where the tip of that needle should be.
But Rob, how do I measure overhang? Good question and not always easy to do. Some manufacturers give you an overhang gauge which you put over the headshell mount (while it’s off the arm) and align the stylus tip to the line. See diagram.
If you dont have a gauge, don’t sweat. Never sweat. Another way is to mount it square, somewhat centered in the headshell (forward and back equal) and keep the cart loose enough to move. Make a small index card with a measurement that you need (say 17mm). With two lines. Hold the card by the spindle, straight up centered on one line. Move the arm over and see if the needle aligns to the second line. if it doesn't, slide the cart forward or back until it does. This is your rough approximation and will save you ALOT of time later when you get to alignment. See diagram.
Before you do the next steps, if you have an anti-skate dial, set it to ZERO for now. Important.
VTF - Vertical tracking force (weight applied to the vinyl from the cartridge)
This is another important step and one best completed with a tool (in a moment) as it is directly related to tracking and wear. Let’s first dispel a myth. Myth - use the lightest tracking you can. False False. Insufficient force is just as bad as too much force. It causes mistracking and can damage your vinyl.
Ever cart manufacturer gives recommended tracking force for their cart. Some are light, some are heavier but don't let that be your decision on purchasing a cartridge. A cartridge that tracks at 2gr does not wear your vinyl more than one that tracks at 1.25gr. It’s just the nature of the cart, suspension, needle type, etc.
The first step is to balance the arm. This is done with the cart mounted and using your counterweight on teh back of the arm. Set the arm in is rest but not locked. Turn the counterweight clockwise or counter clock wise till you get the arm to "float"..not moving up, not down on the rest. You will only be turn the BACK part of the counterweight, NOT the dial.
Once the arm is floating turn the dial (just the dial) to zero. This is your rough calibration. Now, holding BOTH the dial and the counterweight, turn to apply more weight (dial is moving up in numbers) until you reach the grams recommended. I suggest move to the HIGH side of recommended. Example - the cart recommends 1.0 to 1.75... set it for 1.6 to 1.65. Why? Because marketing material and engineering specs differ. The marketing wants to sell you on the idea on how light it tracks. The engineers know optimal is higher, not lower.
So, it’s set, right ? Not yet. Many counter weight gauges are way off or at least enough to be worrisome. I recommend an inexpensive ($15) digital gram scale. They are used generally for weighing jewelry, easily available and only slightly larger than an ipod mini. Use this to measure the actual gram weight (lower the cart gently onto the scale) and adjust as needed. See picture.
Alignment
Okay, this is the one that throws people and is very important. It can be very easy if you breathe, relax, understand what you are trying to achieve. The whole purpose of alignment is to get the best possible tracking of an arm/cartridge across an ever decreasing radius of the album. So it takes two points measured to split the difference because there is no such thing as 100% perfect alignment . Well, maybe on a linear tracker. But the typical arm, it is impossible to achieve perfection because of physics. You can read more on this on your own. Suffice to say what we want to achieve is NEAR perfection balanced across all tracks.
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