Need help setting overhang on the Technics SL-1200

Tvad - I found both protractors gave very similar results; only maybe a millimeter apart. I've listened with and without the dustcover and the table does definately sound better with the dust cover removed. Thanks for the tip Tvad.

Thanks Riley804 and Tvad. This is very helpful.

Thanks Ho72. I'll definately keep that in mind if I ever try the AT 440 in a Sumiko headshell.

Riley804 - does the height of the M97 cartridge, 15.875mmm, include the stylus? I measured roughly 18mm on mine with the styles included which would mean that the height of the arm should be set at 3mm if you go by the Technics SL-1200 manual. Also wonder if Technics takes into account the thickness of the record.

Ho72 - actually I have always felt that finding the correct overhang is the most important thing and have always done this before anything else; after the overhang is found I check the tracking force and set the antiskate; and lastly I attempt to find the best VTA. Thanks very much for gcaudio.com link.

Tvad - I have just today set the overhang of the Shure M97 using the Mint Best Tractor and have to agree that the SL-1200 Mk2 now sounds absolutely incredible; I am amazed that I am getting this good kind of sound out of a cartridge that can be purchased brand new for under $100. If you mount the headshell on the Technics SL-1200 white plastic overhang gauge you will see that the tip of the stylus is now 3mm further out. As far as other settings go I have the tracking force set at 1.3 grams and the tonearm height set at 3mm. Thank you Tvad; I appreciate your recommendation to use the Mint Best tractor.

Well I spent the weekend continuing to "push the envelop" with this Shure M97 on the Technics SL-1200. I still wasn't completely satisfied with the VTA and decided to see if the top of cartridge was exactly parallel with the record. I placed the cartridge down on a stationary record and measured the front of the cartridge and the back of the cartridge. The back of the cartridge was lower than the front so I ended up raising the tonearm from 3mm all the way to the 6mm maximum to get the top of the cartridge perfectly level with the playing surface. After listening I have to say this is a definate improvement. Curious if anyone else has tryed this.

Tvad - I'm afraid with the M97 though, because the body of the cartrige slants down from the mounting brackets, the only shure way to tell if the VTA is correct is to take a very strong magnifying glass and eyeball the stylus while the record is playing.

Curio - I initially set the VTA with the arm tube parallel with the record; it was set at less than 1mm as I recall. I found out that with the headshell parallel with the record surface the VTA is set at 6mm. I have been talking with an person that knows a great deal about the M97 and have discovered that the correct setting for the VTA on the Technics SL-1200 is 2.5mm. Listening to several albums has definately confirmed what he told me.

Johnny53 - thanks for your comments. I liked the results obtained from the Vinyl Engine protractor also. I will definately give the Audio Technica AT150MLX a listen.

Johnnyb53 - I'll have to try the Audio-Technica 150 MLX. Have you compared it to the Ortofon 2M Bronze, which falls in the same price catagory? Thanks. Bob

Johnnyb53 - a person who has compared both cartridges just told me this today: "the AT 150 is a wonderful cartridge, but I say stick with the 2M Bronze. The AT can grab some really high frequencies better than the Ortofon, but for overall balance and bass, the Ortofon trumps it."

Johnntb53 - I just ordered an Ortofon SH-4 detachable headshell to use on the SL-1200 - as soon as I get it I'll remove the Ortofon 2M Bronze from the Rega P3-24 and listen to it on the SL-1200 - should be interesting.

Well believe it or not I have found that the overhang that provides the best sound was brought about by using the Shure protractor that comes with the M97 cartridge. So much for spending a great deal of money on other protractors.