You need to get the specific answers for your tonearm for overhang and the two null points
a. Overhang (stylus distance past the spindle) (measure/match your existing overhang distance if you cannot find the specified distance)
b. Two Null Points Best Compromise
c. Azimuth (straight when viewed from the front, using a mirror which reflects any deviation from straight in the opposite direction, so it’s fairly easy to see)
d. VTA (arm height) may need adjusting IF the alternate headshell/cartridge combined mounted height (when installed) is different from your current combo.
e. tracking force
f. anti-skate force
note: you need content with clearly defined L/C/R imaging to refine your anti-skate by ear, see my suggestion below.
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CARTRIDGE ALIGNMENT (inexpensive tools and simple revealing methods)
I confirmed this once again with Steve and Ray Leung at VAS recently:
Makers, rebuilders, re-tippers frequently note that the majority of cartridges/styluses they work on are worn mostly on one side (improper azimuth and/or either too little or too much anti-skate).
Those are sent in by us, knowledgeable and experienced audiophiles, sending expensive cartridges that have been played on audiophile equipment, set up by experts on precision tonearms. Not amateurs, US!
So: After everything else, it is about anti-skate. Inward Skate is a natural force, unavoidable, and anti-skate is needed to properly ‘oppose’ it. This is one of the reasons I prefer light tracking cartridges.
Despite denials that anti-skate makes much difference, it is vital to get it right!
I used dials for many years, and discovered none were giving proper calibrations.
I now use separate tools and finally my ears, resulting in the stylus essentially floating free to react to information on either side of the groove. Not just sound/imaging: It is important to avoid wear on the inward edge of the stylus and LP’s groove, for long stylus life, reducing wear of grooves, avoiding ‘bending/twisting’ the cantilever, and when right we do get proper imaging of the content. Excessive outer force transfers the problem to the other edge.
- TOOLS
- Level, 1.8”, leave on the Turntable
https://www.amazon.com/Triangle-precision-universal-household-mounting/dp/B09VBWWVDW/ref=sr_1_8?crid=TL2RCTVFGS1S&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7-QuBjdTkYztPIB2oY6k6Kt-fPCugCSMUsP1LtkO37NB4L7m3Fs44xnt3rQtc6vt4ZpbcMEbgzjQOY6RnIf1EToz7xOo8P2HmU9Nl4_iNTVgUYd9gw1fjFBz8Jss8ZALrIeGBqA3S_rGiTr674bVlr6sc_Rr8jAxg4kanyk8Lj_bY3z-ExMDRG2Cp6JvU7XSMBxdUzwqVtUECKrSuLbDnD47H8FzgiO8leI1Rn-I4JVKMHCMAFWnSA0g0j94elKPzbzc4voqCFrb7nESmUkrIoiq2fZU0Od6M2d274s1xec.Xzp0SVUYO5-cvU9nn4LUevN1YLx_dYGNU4N4oH6orwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=precision%2Bbubble%2Blevel%2Btriangle&qid=1760135036&sprefix=precision%2Bbubble%2Blevel%2Btriangle%2Caps%2C89&sr=8-8&th=1
- Small Bubble Levels, small and light enough to leave on top of the armwand/headshell above the cartridge. I use tiny specks of poster tack to keep them on. Set tracking force when they are in place.
- Digital Tracking Force Scale
- LP” Protractor One Side’ Blank Other Side
d. Mirror to Set Azimuth.
- 30X Magnifying Mirror with Light, keep on TT below the cartridge, view the stylus and angle it to see the entire length of the cantilever into the suspension pocket.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLLZYBVK?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1
- Music to confirm system L/R balance/imaging (3 guitarists play last two tracks only)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_Night_in_San_Francisco
- Use CD version to confirm all system connections are good for L/R Balance
- AFTER 1 above, Use LP version to refine anti-skate by ear
ADJUSTMENTS
- Arm Height for VTA.
anti-skate to zero; desired tracking force applied. Adjust arm height so arm is parallel to the LP/platter when stylus is lowered into the groove and the cantilever’s suspension is loaded by the tracking force.
- Overhang Distance and Two Null Points (arm specific, find settings online)
Set overhang, very lightly tighten; twist cartridge sideways as needed for best compromise of both null point positions.
- Azimuth (hopefully it mounts correctly, if not, azimuth is very very important)
Place rectangular mirror on the platter, lower arm, view reflection from front. Any deviation will be reflected in the opposite direction making it easy to see/get right.
- All is well, if not:
- Arm has some adjustability, i.e. a fitting rotates, arm wand rotates, visible or hidden set screw ….
- Headshell has adjustability
- Thin Shim may need to be added above one side of the cartridge as a last resort. Tedious, but vital.
- Tracking Force, use digital scale, find specs online, typically set for middle of specified range.
- Anti-Skate (one hand always on the arm lift lever)
- Use blank side of LP, raise arm, get platter spinning 33 rpm.
- Lower arm, it gets pulled into the center, that is natural skating force
- add a little anti-skating force, lower arm, a bit more. Check it at various distances from the outer and inner grooves. Find a compromise, if any allow a speck of inner skate, avoid outer skate.
- Final, by ear, using the LP, last 2 tracks, 3 guitarists play, imaging reveals their placement, verify you can hear John in the middle and the others left and right.
- VTA Refinement, by ear or verify still level with alternate headshell
If arm is level when playing, and it sounds great, only perfectionists will make VTA refinements,
- having invested in tonearms with easy height adjustments, the best mechanisms are smooth enough to adjust while listening, called ‘VTA on the Fly’.
- Alternate headshell/cartridges. I make quick height adjustments if needed when I change to a headshell with a pre-mounted cartridge.