My tools for cartridge alignments:
CARTRIDGE ALIGNMENT
3,529 posts
I put this together in another discussion.
Not meant to scare you, or anyone starting out, just to encourage everyone to learn, bit by bit, and acquire the simple tools and skills to change/align your cartridges after the first one is worn, (typically elliptical, avg. 250 hours play time.
If you get hooked on vinyl, which I suspect is a high probability:
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I’m a bargain hunter, I say ’inexpensive’ tools and these are them: I put this together for a friend, I hope the links are still good TOOLS FOR LP’S
$15. ALIGNMENT DISC: one side: Lines for Overhang and Two NULL Points ANTI-SKATE: other blank side: spin platter manually, adjust anti-skate control while watching $14. TRACKING FORCE, Digital Scale $10. AZIMUTH and VTA Alignment Block: clear actylic with Grid of Lines $6. MAGNIFYING MIRROR to VIEW STYLUS (two). 3-1/2” DIAMETER, One: 10X; One 20x + 2 tweezers $11. FLAT MIRROR to View Azimuth Reflection 4” X 6” X 3MM. Thickness of LP, place under the stylus, view from front, any deviation from straight will be reflected ‘opposite’. $13. STYLUS CLEANING FLUID, Audio Technica
$50. MANUAL LP WASH SYSTEM (do batches of 10) $9. INFANT SCALP SCRUBB BRUSHES (3). Scrub Dirty LP’s Vigotously, then rinse in above system $13. OVERSIZED EYEGLASS CLOTHS, Dust LP ONLY IF Needed (13 pack). I DO NOT use a brush anymore. Place LP on platter, just lay cloth on, spin platter by hand while very lightly pulling cloth off the edge to remove surface dust, not push anything down into the grooves. $1.00 DISTILLED WATER $6. ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, 91%, 1 Quart $15. GEL STYLUS CLEANER $14. STYLUS BRUSH, Carbon Fiber, Non-Slip Textured Handle
$13. ISOLATION PADS below Turntable, I wrapped my edges with black tape) $__ CENTER WEIGHT, Disc Stabilizer. Size/Weight/Style Vary, how strong is your motor?
Rulers $6. Pair of Metal Rulers, mm and inches, starts on the edge of the ruler ........................................ $31. Finally, Removable Headshell with Azimuth Adjustment You adjust it ONCE for your arm’s fitting which may be ’off’. Then, each time you use that headshell in that arm: before you tighten the headshell into the arm, there is very minor movement possible, you snug it up, double check it’s azimuth with the mirror, fully tighten Some arms, like the Micro Seiki 505 have an adjustment of the fitting IN the arm, a very nice feature. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649871273-micro-seiki-ma505-tonearm-including-base/images/3917430/ I installed two of these, standard and long on a Luxman TT for a friend. Magnificent engineering This one has unique base, others a simple hole and bolt below. Report this |
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3,414 posts Suppose you do not want to add weight on your platter, i.e. the Luxman Motor lifts the platter to reduce bearing wear. These rubber gizmos hold reels on tape recorders. They are the same diameter as the TT platter spindle You press them down, they stay holding the center and pull off easily when done.
you want one’s with flexibility, not dried out that have become rigid/brittle. Above just for a visual example. |