Azimuth "recording"


I recently purchased a Technics 1210 GAE, and I am loving the detachable headshell.  I have 3 cartridges in rotation 2 MC and one Mono.  I wonder if anyone has any tips on how to "record" azimuth for quick resetting.  I dutifully have recorded VTF, VTA, bias etc. for each cartridge for fast switching - but I am hoping to not have to pull out the test record and fozgometer with each switch  to set AZ when I have other listeners such as my wife present. Usually only happens when I switch from MC to mono and back.

The azimuth for all but one of the cartridges (my mono) is fairly off when fastened to the arm in what I would consider the  "straight" position.  Once the azimuth is properly set the audio difference is very noticeable.  I have though of snapping a photo of the cartridge head on with one of those plastic AZ tools to rough it in for quick switching so I can at least eyeball the angle. Any tips?

Cheers


slashsmil

Showing 1 response by elliottbnewcombjr

Azimuth

If you can carefully get azimuth correct with each of the 3 cartridges in their own headshell in that arm, then Azimuth is down to the minor movement possible when changing/tightening the headshells.

I use a mirror the thickness of an LP. viewed from the front, is is easy/quick to see a deviation as it is reflected in the mirror. Loosen headshell just enough, a slight bit of movement, tighten.
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VTA: that’s harder, that’s a big reason to have an arm with easy adjustable VTA, with easily marked/found height positions. Any single arm with a scale of some kind you can mark or record, find your previously hard-found preference

This one, sold but up/down is shown well here

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649402886-legendary-lustre-gst801/images/1739963/

is absolutely easiest, uses a horizontally rotating lever, easy to put a pencil mark on the base plate.

2nd of mine uses a micrometer to raise/lower the arm, possible to write down height numbers.

http://newartvinyl.ru/board/detali_proigryvatelja/tonarm_black_bird12_5_carbon/7-1-0-41
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VTA: Two arms,

best cartridge in one arm, never change it.

most frequent 2nd cartridge in the second arm, (i.e. stereo/mono arms for instant change during a listening session.

Then put the 3rd cartridge into the second arm that is readily adjusted. Easier: Cartridges with similar desired VTA? Shims to have cartridge body/stylus distance down to lp very similar?

Thanks to help here, I learned about stereo/mono/2 arms. and then I squeezed a 3rd arm on a 2 arm deck, seen in the last photo here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133704771410