DaVinci tonearm and azymuth

Psag,
Another thought occurred to me.
The DaVinci VTA Tower is elevated by a threaded rod operated from the top of the pivot housing.
Once you are happy with the VTA alignment, you must lock the base clamp in and then RETRACT the adjustable threaded rod so that it is no longer bearing on the base plate. In other words, the VTA Tower is held solely by the base clamp and NOT also resting on the elevating rod.
If you still have a problem with the level of the headshell after this, Peter Brem and Jolanda will certainly help you.

Thanks for all your helpful responses. I checked the base and then the headshell with a bubble level, and there is a discrepancy between the two. Halcro, Peter and Jolanda just sent me a helpful email with exactly that suggestion, which I will try tonight.

I agree that on an arm at this cost should be built correctly.

Having the headshell level, though, gives absolutely no assurance of optimum azimuth setting. Getting it properly aligned is a must.

Hi all,
as I mentioned in another thread just now, in the case of the SME V the locking of the arm-post in the case of the V allows for some 1-2 deg. tilt relative to the mounting surface. If I read Halcro's comment with the VTA lifter = threaded rod, I think immediately of the same being the case with the SME V.
In fact I have given up using this "tool" altogether and now use a number of shims made of hard wood --- which also is a bit more "repeatability" then some threaded rod that happens to push the arm post *always* to the opposite side of the where the threaded rod is located.

Ladies and Gentlemen ---- so much for azimuth precision!
Guess why Graham's Phantom II has now an added, permanent "spirit bubble" to his latest creation...
Greetings,
Axel

I suspect that a shim between the armboard and the arm collar will provide a good solution. I'll be back.