Cartridge Alignment Protractors

by **JaS** » 27 Jul 2007 08:55

denti alligator wrote:Apparently the Stanton I have has a so-called "straight" tonearm, made for scratching. It can't be aligned.

I don't know if you've seen this article over at KAB?
http://www.kabusa.com/str8_doc.htm

If the arm is under-hung as standard it's unlikely you would ever be able to introduce enough overhang/offset angle to align to a standard protractor. It would probably be best to stick to spherical styli (as advised by KAB), align as per the manufacturers instructions and start saving for a deck with a proper arm and lower distortion. As for record wear, if your current cartridge has an elliptical stylus then it won't be doing your records much good

Regards,
JaS

by **Seb** » 27 Jul 2007 14:30

there is almost nothing to align on this turntable ;-)

but as you can see on this picture, the user recreate and offset angle by twisting the cartridge on the headshell

regards

Seb

by **stephlouv** » 14 Nov 2007 12:32

"recreate and offset angle by twisting the cartridge on the headshell "

It is worse than better if there is no or negative overhang on this turntable.
Looks to be designed so the cartrige is tangential in the meddle of the record.

Stéphane

by **satanfriendly** » 20 Jan 2008 23:15

Does anyone here use the Mayware protractor? I've had one for donkey's years and always used it as my trusted tool for set up.

I normally use nulls at 63.5mm and 119mm, although with the Mayware you can set then wherever you want. Well within reason.

I keep losing the damn thing only for it to show up again a few years down the line. As has happened recently. Fortunately I'm on a 'found it again' period at the moment.

by **vassilis** » 30 Jan 2008 09:44

Hi Jas,

I'm new to this forum. I am planning on buying my very first SL-1210 and I happened to bump into this forum and read all these things about protractors. Since I've never have had to set up a turntable before, I wanted to make some things clear because I do not wish to have my records dug because of something I didn't take under consideration. I have already selected the cartridge and stylus I'm going to put. It's an Ortofon Concorde Arkiv. Do I need to use a protractor for the correct set of my TT? Like I said, the SL-1210 is brand new from the factory so that will give you an idea about the tonearm.
I'd really appreciate some help here.

Thanks,
Vassilis

by **Seb** » 30 Jan 2008 09:59

hello (and welcome here)

since your cartridge look like this :

there is nothing to align with this cartridge

best regards

Seb

by **vassilis** » 30 Jan 2008 10:18

Dear Seb,

Thank you very much for your help. You've made me the happiest man alive cause all those things about protractors were like math to me.
I'm not a DJ nor am I an audiophile. I just got tired because every time I went to my vinyl shop and listened to all those records on their MK2, they sounded so warm and full but not on my fairly new Technics SL-BD22 at home. And since there is no way of replacing the factory stylus with a good one I decided to get the MK2. What could I do to upgrade my SL-BD22, acoustically that is? Is it wise to get the MK2 or am I throwing money away with no reason?

Just your personal thoughts.

by **Seb** » 30 Jan 2008 11:16

opps

I made a mistake here

you're having a SL-bd22 and you cannot use the concorde on this kind of TT (the concorde cartridges are possible on a MKII, with a SME type connector between the tonearm and the cartridge) - if your headshell is like the one I saw on the manual we're hosting here, it's impossible (I'm hoping here that you didn't order your cartridge after my first message).

by buying an MKII, you won't waste your money - this turntable is build like a tank, very easy to set up and it can make music !

to upgrade your SL-BD22 ? well, I don't know this turntable very well but it doesn't seem to be the best TT technics produced.

best regards

Seb

by **delcam1n0** » 30 Jan 2008 11:57

Hi Vassilis,

What cartridge is on your SLBD22 at present?
It has a standard TP4 connector ( so it doesnt
need a protactor either

) but maybe Seb can
give a hint here as to which of these alternative
Ortofon TP4 systems would be the best to fit to
your BD22 for improved sound???
My guess is the OMP10

, but there is a slightly
cheaper OMP5E available as well which might
match the only so-so arm of the BD22 better.
(Pricing ex PhonoPhono, Berlin, just as reference)

Ortofon - OMP 10 63.80 €
Ortofon - OMP 20 149.80 €
Ortofon - X1 MCP 124.80 € (Hi Output MC)

by **vassilis** » 30 Jan 2008 12:19

Dear Seb and delcam1n0,

Thanks for the advise and help. Let's get something straight.
At present, I own the Technics SL-BD22.
I will sell the above and buy the SL-1210 MK2. As a cartridge of choice, I have selected the Ortofon Concorde Arkiv (wasn't planning on putting the Concorde on the SL-BD22, it's impossible).
The Concorde is destined for the MK2.
What was that you mentioned about an adaptor for the Concorde? Do I need that in order to install it to the MK2 because I was under the impression that Concordes you just stick them in MK2s just like that.

Please specify so I don't make a booboo. Don't worry, I haven't ordered anything yet. Still raising the cash.

Thanks a lot.

by **delcam1n0** » 30 Jan 2008 12:29

Vasillis,

See my earlier post in re Ortofon alternatives
for your SLBD22 (we posted at same time!)
Although the 1210 is in general the much better
and sturdier TT I'd suggest to try a different, higher
quality cart on your present TT before making a
decision to sell it.

by **Seb** » 30 Jan 2008 12:31

you don't need any adapter

the SME coonector is the one on the tonearm you use to attach the headshell to the tonearm.

this is the back of a headshell :

the back of a concorde :

same connector.
you plug the headshell (and the concorde) into a tonearm of this type (with a SME type connector - and guess what, this is a technics tonearm for SL1200):

best regards

Seb

by **Seb** » 30 Jan 2008 12:37

delcam1n0 wrote:Vasillis,

See my earlier post in re Ortofon alternatives
for your SLBD22 (we posted at same time!)
Although the 1210 is in general the much better
and sturdier TT I'd suggest to try a different, higher
quality cart on your present TT before making a
decision to sell it.

don't know if I would try to test a decent T4P (P-mount) cartridge on this TT (60 euros on a OMP10.. I know better ways to spend money...)

best regards

Seb

by **vassilis** » 30 Jan 2008 12:45

Thanks a lot to both.

I guess I'm kind of itching to get an MK2. As for the SL-BD22, the only upgrade is the Ortofon OMP 5. I don't know if it's worth it.
Has anybody used the above cartridge? With the MK2 I'm going for a fresh start quality-wise.

Best regards,

Vassilis