Cartridge Alignment Protractors

[lerik]

If you don't get good alignment to two points (Stevenson, Baerwald or whatever) you can get greatly increased tracking distortion.

http://www.vinylengine.com/twisting-you ... hell.shtml

Regards,
JaS

Hi all,

I'm still having a bad time here...

One important question: minimal adjustment errors may cause great amounts of distortion/harshness? My alignments here seem to be good, and if not they're so little out of place that I can hardly tell from just looking at the cartridge/grid parallelism.

But records sound very bad... it distorts a lot in places with heavy orchestration or loud voices - mainly on the treble frequencies. It sounds almost as some "clipping" on highs.

Could it be there is something other than the alignment that causes this? Or really some minimal tweaking in the cartridge could solve this?

I'll keep trying using different protractors, to see if I can get anywhere.

Thanks for your help!

[JaS]

But records sound very bad... it distorts a lot in places with heavy orchestration or loud voices - mainly on the treble frequencies. It sounds almost as some "clipping" on highs.

Could it be there is something other than the alignment that causes this? Or really some minimal tweaking in the cartridge could solve this

To be honest fine tuning cartridge alignment is more a final tweak to clean up the sound.

If you're getting bad distortion it's more likely to be a damaged/worn/poor quality stylus, sagging cantilever, knackered/loose arm bearings, overload on the phono stage input or just worn records

Regards,
JaS

[lerik]

To be honest fine tuning cartridge alignment is more a final tweak to clean up the sound.

If you're getting bad distortion it's more likely to be a damaged/worn/poor quality stylus, sagging cantilever, knackered/loose arm bearings, overload on the phono stage input or just worn records

Regards,
JaS

Hi JaS,

Thanks fot your reply. It happens that I'm installing a brand new Ortofon Super with stylus 10 - so there is not a problem with stylus. Then I'd go for some problem in the arm bearings or phono inputs.

My receiver (a Brazilian vintage, Gradiente Model 1360) has a switch on the back where I can select 2.5mV or 7.5mV. Cartridge output is >4.0mV - so I'm not sure wich value should I set the receiver to... When switched to 2.5, the sound output nearly matches the DVD player on the AUX input.

I don't really have new records to test here, so I can't assure the problem is with them. But up till now all the ones I've tried distort at least a bit in the high frequencies.

Finally: is pouring some lubricant oil in the arm bearings a good idea?

Thanks for your help!

[JaS]

Hi,
The OM10 is pretty smooth sounding so it's unlikely to be at fault. I'd be tempted to try the 7.5mV input? It's annoying having different levels between sources but you're better off attenuating the CD input than possibly overloading the phono input on peaks.

I wouldn't oil the arm bearings as it will likely increase friction. I'd have a careful feel for play then see how easily the arm floats when balanced (zero tracking force and anti skate).

Regards,
JaS

[lerik]

Hi,
The OM10 is pretty smooth sounding so it's unlikely to be at fault. I'd be tempted to try the 7.5mV input? It's annoying having different levels between sources but you're better off attenuating the CD input than possibly overloading the phono input on peaks.

I wouldn't oil the arm bearings as it will likely increase friction. I'd have a careful feel for play then see how easily the arm floats when balanced (zero tracking force and anti skate).

Regards,
JaS

Hi JaS, I'll try some deeper cleaning on the TT headshell and rcas to see if anything changes.

The arms floats very well in balance.

I'm tempted to blame the receiver's preamp, as everything else is in place. Do you have any idea on how could I test the preamp? I've connected an old "generic" TT (part of a old deck) and distortion is still there - though this other TT is WAY worse than my Philips.

A cheap preamp would be of some use here? My TT would then connect to the AUX in? Then i'd have to disconnect the DVD... but that's another subject

Thanks again

[1200y3]

Using the alignment calculator for 45s really shows its worth. You will see the Stevensen alignment makes the cartridge safer at the run-out groove.(Null point 55mm and 80mm). If you don't use your alignment guage properly you should not play 45s because the linear offset changes too.

[Alec124c41]

The TEC TC-754 has a decent phono pre-amp, plus 3 Aux inputs, and a reasonable price, so you could still have your DVD and a CD hooked up.
Phonopreamps.com

Cheers,
Alec

[sanlanman]

Greetings, I have been reading the setup threads on VE and the related links, and the info is eye openning! I previously had Yip at MintLP make a Besttractor alignment tool based on the manufacturers data on the PA-1000 arm. Now I read that the listed ovehang of 15mm may not be correct for the Lofgren A or B setup null points. Did I waste a chunk of money on that Bestractor?
I recently found my old ADC PRO/TRAC alignment tool, and compared it to a printout of the "stupid" protractor. (I checked the distance on the printout and its correct to actual size.) The comparison confirms that the PRO/TRAC is designed for Baerwald/Lofgren A. Do you think it will dial in my catridge setup if used correctly? Do any of you have experince with this guage? I also have midgrade Kenwood and JVC turntables for backup or initial playback of records after the clean and vacuum routine. This tool should work on them too, right?

[Angelo M]

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum and it has a wealth of information! I have been trying out the various Alignment protractors here. The one I like to use the most is the ve accutrak universal protractor. However I have a quick question.

Whatever alignment that you use, B, L, or Stevenson, you aim the lines at the center of your tonearm spindle. My question is that using this protractor it doesn.t matter what your spindle to pivot lenght is right? I'm guessing thats why it is "universal".

By the way I am using a Realistic Lab 300 and Lab 430 turntable. Both have spindle to pivot of 200mm and mounting distance of 215mm, which really isnt close to anything but the Stevenson. I'm using the Baerwald aligment which is a little longer but the cart just reaches it.

Great site! Glad I'm here.

[JaS]

My question is that using this protractor it doesn.t matter what your spindle to pivot lenght is right? I'm guessing thats why it is "universal".

Hi,
Yes, that's right. It works the same way as a two-point protractor but the sight lines make initial alignment quicker. It will give optimal alignment in any length arm as long as you have the room in the sots to align to both points.

Regards,
JaS

PS the sight line is only used to align the inner point

[Angelo M]

Thanks JaS,

Thats why I like to use this protractor because it is quick, and that is how I did it, aligning the cart to the inside grid. Keep up the great work here!

[mellowmick]

Hi guys. Trying to align my cartridge on my SL 1210 correctly. I have set tracking force,anti skate and used the technics overhang tool. Im finding the left channel isnt as loud as the right....its not by a lot but is noticeable.
I Have downloaded the technics protractor from here and no matter what i try when i print it out the two lines come out 1mm short than the exact length they should be.I have set printer to "no scaling" but still no difference any advice appreciated.
Thanks.
Mick.

[taephono]

Any easy way to cut an exact hole for the protractors listed ?
I read use a pin..? Is that like keep poking until the hole drops out

[JaS]

I Have downloaded the technics protractor from here and no matter what i try when i print it out the two lines come out 1mm short than the exact length they should be.I have set printer to "no scaling" but still no difference

Hi,
Some printers are more accurate than others. If 'no scaling' doesn't work you may need to enter a percentage into the rescaling box (if your printer drivers have one?). Something like 100.5% might do it?

Regards,
JaS