The process of setting up a turntable for optimum performance is a laborious process that can only be achieved with the proper equipment designed for the task. Test records, cartridge analyzation components, microscope, and oscilloscope are all required. The forces at the contact point between stylus and vinyl are significant and measured in thousands of pounds per square inch. First it must be determined that the diamond is properly mounted on the cantilever arm and rejected if more than a few degrees off axis. Assuming the arm is properly set up, and the cartridge properly mounted, it must then be determined if the attack angle at the surface of the vinyl is optimum. Using the test records, along with the anti-skating and tracking adjustments, the oscilloscope allows the technician to adjust the system for best results. These steps, along with attempting to decouple vibration from the drive system and forces external to the table, will result in the best possible performance with this analog approach. In light of today's technology, with a nod to the fun had by the analog hobbyist, the most realistic way to achieve a momentary suspension of disbelief when enjoying music is to avoid the above entirely and transition into the world of digital sound recreation.
The Science of Vinyl/Analog Setups
It seems to me that there is too little scientific, objective evidence for why vinyl/analog setups sound the way they do. When I see discussions on tables, cartridges, tonearms and even phono cables, physical attributes are discussed; things like isolation, material, geometry, etc. and rarely are things discussed like wow, rumble, resonance, compliance, etc. Why is this? Why aren’t vinyl/analog setups discussed in terms of physical measurements very often?
Seems to me like that would increase the customer base. I know several “objectivists” that won’t accept any of your claims unless you have measurements and blind tests. If there were measurements that correlated to what you hear, I think more people would be interested in vinyl/analog setups.
I know vinyl/analog setups are often system-dependent but there are still many generalizations that can be made.
Seems to me like that would increase the customer base. I know several “objectivists” that won’t accept any of your claims unless you have measurements and blind tests. If there were measurements that correlated to what you hear, I think more people would be interested in vinyl/analog setups.
I know vinyl/analog setups are often system-dependent but there are still many generalizations that can be made.