Ortofon 2M Red Alignment Issue

It's really impossible to tell from these photos. What are you using for an alignment gauge?

you mean the protactor? I'm using the one provided by ortofon with the 2m red

It could be that your pickup arm won't accommodate the alignment used by the gauge. What kind of arm are you using? Are you certain that the pivot-to-spindle alignment is correct?

The most accurate gauges use a mirror to align the cantilever/stylus, while a paper gauge can only align the stylus and cartridge body. The Mint and Wallytractor are good examples of mirrored gauges.

I’m using a Debut Carbon so my arm is straight and also with a fixed headshell...I’m assuming that the gauge provided is right because it came with the whole TT package...Would you recommend me a mirror gauge instead?

The reason I'm using this protactor is that I saw some using it to align the same cart in the same TT

One of two things is at play here: Either the pivot-to-spindle distance is wrong, or the cartridge manufacturer contemplated a different alignment than whomever aligned the pickup arm.

I had a Music Hall table which is the same manufacturer (Project) as your Carbon. It is not the arm but the protractor. A DB protractor is a good one and can be used for all cartridges and arms. This is also an option for a mirrored protractor.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079ZBLJ4M/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B079ZBLJ4M&pf_rd_m=A...

I might try this at some point...but after some research I decided to use Conrad Hoffman's Arc Template Generator...have you tried by any chance?

stevecham

It is not the arm but the protractor.

It’s not likely that Ortofon provided an inaccurate alignment gauge.

serginhoparkour

... after some research I decided to use Conrad Hoffman’s Arc Template Generator...have you tried by any chance?

Is this one of those you download and print yourself? If so, how can you be sure the printed image is of the correct size? If it is off by even a bit, so too will be your alignment.

Dear @serginhoparkour: The easy way to take advise is that you send an email or make a call to Project directly.

In this video you can look your TT/Tonearm/cartridge. I don’t know the Project instructions to mount/set up the 2M Red or any other cartridge but for what you said the Ortofon protractor can’t works there. So ask Project.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLuOgA9i7AY

R.

Is this one of those you download and print yourself? If so, how can you be sure the printed image is of the correct size? If it is off by even a bit, so too will be your alignment.

Yes! but they have two guide measurements sou you can check after printing

So ask Project.

I already did this...here's what they said:

Our cartridges are constructed so that cantilever angle corresponds to the 20 deg. record cutting angle, when the cartridge is loaded with recommended tracking force and the cartridge base is parallel with the tonearm and this again is parallel to the record surface.

Please see the 2M Red tech data here https://www.ortofon.com/ortofon-2m-red-p-317-n-1579 : recommended tracking force 1.8 g .

Please also find more information on our HiFi FAQ here https://www.ortofon.com/support/support-hifi/faq-installation .

 

Where and when have you bought the cartridge? If the cartridge was bought through Ortofon authorized dealer https://www.ortofon.com/where-to-buy, then you are welcome to contact them, our authorized partners have comprehensive knowledge and experience in use of Ortofon products and associated equipment and offer high standard customer service.

I printed the arc protactor and when I checked, the alignment seemed to be on spot, so I'll let like this for a few days and I'll keep paying attention to the sound