Help with turntable setup?

In-person totally unnecessary. Just not that hard. Happy to talk you through it. 

How is it set up now or who set it up to begin with?

Thanks millercarbon. Well, I set it up. According to Stereophile it’s one of those that doesn’t take much set up. That’s why I got it. I’m happy with the concept MC cartridge that came with  it, but am not sure whether it’s tracking properly, how to tell etc. there’s also something about the azimuth in the owner’s manual that I’m Mitr sure about.

 I’ll check out the YouTube videos as someone suggested. 

The Soundsmith website has good explanations and how-to on setup.

According to your Clearaudio Owner's Manual your table came with the cartridge already set up and aligned. So you can forget about that. Did you level as instructed? Then that is done. Did you double-check VTF? That probably is correct but always good to be sure.

Everything from here on out is done by ear. VTA will be first but your arm doesn't make it very easy. 

VTA works like this. If you increase VTA by raising the arm base up the sound will become more tilted up with more emphasis on the treble and the attack or initial first transient start of notes. If you decrease VTA by lowering the arm down the sound will become more rich and emphasize the full body tone of notes. So if you go high lots of detail but no body, low lots of body but no detail. Nail it perfect, exact middle, you get the best of both.

This is entirely a judgment call. Wherever it sounds best to you, is best for you. Main thing to know, we are talking very small adjustments here! Like a tiny fraction of a mm can make a difference you can hear. Your arm makes this very hard. So don't sweat it. Just do what you can.

Always remember, if you like it you are done!

By far your biggest "setup" gains will be from things you will think of as tweaks not setup. The gains you can get from your table with this kind of attention to setup are huge. You can make that thing sound like a whole new turntable. 

What is it on? Townshend Pods or Platform will be huge, but also expensive. Nobsound springs will be impressive and very inexpensive. Put that table on Nobsound springs, on MDF or a butcher block sitting on an inch of packed sand, grand total investment maybe $50, well just try it you will see.

TA-103 fO.Q tape, Synergistic PHT, those two together will be about $200. Together with the springs and sand $250. Between adjusting VTA and doing these you can spend way more time and money on alignment and have much less to show for it. Those are not the setups you are looking for. These are.

I could understand a VTF (tracking force) discrepancy if your Concept Wood has the Concept/Verify magnetic tonearm as they are far from being dynamically stable. The other non-magnetic versions are much more stable.

The Soundsmith website has good explanations and how-to on setup.

@sryeager -- Sadly, it looks like the Soundsmith website has been
suspended.

What are you talking about???! https://www.sound-smith.com/articles/covid19 
The last thing Peter needs at a time like this is false rumors. Looks to me like they are backed up - like a lot of places - but open for business.

Thanks for this discussion.  It was helpful in many ways.  Really appreciated the link to sound-smith!!!  I have an very old B&O TX with MM2 and maybe able to give Peter some business once he has fully recovered.

I ordered a Soundsmith cartridge within the last month or so and received it within a week

Phew ... @cheeg you just about gave me a heart attack myself ... thanks MC! ... Peter one of those really good guys ... was following his posts and glad he’s been recovering ... 

I run a concept Wood and set-up really is done at the factory/dealer. I would download the RPM speed app to double check the speed for both 33/45. Also I use the acrylic vta/azimuth block which can be had for $10 just to learn more about cartridge adjustments and to double check. Good choice on the MC cart over the MM. I was very very underwhelmed by the Concept MM cart.