Help with setting up my Rega Planar 3

[bowelripper]

I have ordered a Shure SFG-2 and a test record now, so I'm sure I'll be able to set it up more accurately when I have received them.

[MusicallyBiased]

A stylus pressure gauge is a good idea, but the Shure SFG-2 has been involved in accidents with certain MC cartridges (the magnets....)

Some of the digital units are not suitable (adapted from other uses and re-labeled), but among the genuine, purpose made ones, the ProJect and Canrong are good and not expensive.

[tomytoons]

Ya, either way yo don't want one that is magnetic. My Shure SFG2 is not. Maybe the early ones were.So caution buying used.
I use a digital scale now.

[bowelripper]

Thanks for the cautions. I still haven't managed to set up the record player - even after having received the SFG2.

My problem is that I can not seem to get the stylus force right because the weight of the arm changes from one try to another (as mentioned earlier) - even though the counterweight and tracking force are the same. It is like the arm kind of stays in the position that I decide by either moving it a little bit upwards or downwards. Here's a video I filmed to illustrate what I mean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILM0oznM-mQ

Is there something wrong with the arm, or am I doing something wrong?

[Alec124c41]

It looks like the arm is sticking. This might be because the bearings are too tight.
You ad the Cartridge set up at an authorized dealer. They should not have let it go in this condition.
The balanced arm should float freely enough to move with a breath.

Cheers,
Alec

[bubba45]

Looks like the vertical bearings have gone. There's some stiction (is that the right word) there which means the tonearm is not freely moving up & down.

I've seen that happen when a tonearm bearings are too tight but I've also seen it happen twice on tonearms with knackered bearings.

That's just my opinion and I could be wrong. For your sake I hope I am because when they're gone they're gone. Maybe J7 will pop up on this thread and give an opinion and advice on what to do.

[bowelripper]

Hmm, not sure exactly what the bearings are. Could someone try to explain?

[salamonscream]

Hi
The lift/lower must be in the DOWN position.
I always set the counterweight by putting the cartridge between the platter and the arm rest, with practice it becomes very easy to get the right position.

Regards

[Etnier]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bearing_(mechanical)

[bowelripper]

The lift was in the down position in the YouTube video.

If the bearings are the problem, can I fix it myself or should I bring it to an authorized dealer?

[Etnier]

A dealer, fer sure, and he can definitively diagnose your problem. If it's the bearings, I don't think they are a service item: you may need to replace the arm.

[bowelripper]

Ah, I was hoping to avoid having to buy a new tonearm. They're a bit expensive (for my wallet right now), from what I've seen on eBay.

[salamonscream]

Hi
I seem to remember that Rega can repair bearing problems as they fit and preload the bearings at the factory during assembly. Bearing replacement should be no problem for them.
A rewire at the same may be prudent.

Regards

[bowelripper]

I am now considering buying a new arm. Of current interest are the RB-250/300/301/303. Including the 250 because I read someone who actually preferred it over the 300. So which one of these would you go for? The original 300 or one of the other ones? (Other more expensive arms are out of the question.)