A35460073B
05-22-2006, 11:41 PM
I have a brand new Xpression MKII which has a Benz Micro MC20E2 cartridge waiting to be installed. While trying to attach the little guy the little wires have become loose. Oh they're still in there, but in my attempt to get a good grip on them to fit them over the cartridge's plugs, I inadvertantly pulled them out a bit. Now I don't know how to get them back in. They don't seem like they'll interfere with playback or anything, but just in case, I'd like to know if it's possible to get them back into the tonearm.
The dealer at Needle Doctor suggested braiding. I thought of a gentle layer of scotch tape under the headshell (if there'd be room). My audiophile boss recommended a dulled-down toothpick to push them back in, but warned me about how dangerous it would be if I did not exercize great care and patience with that method. The wires do not seem that they will be making contact with the record surface when all is said and done, but I do not know for certain.
Also, I have two types of protractors to align this cartridge when I've gotten everything ready. (I'm currently considering buying a tiny plyers for the little nuts that have to be fitted over the screw ends on the bottom of the cartridge. Is that a wise choice or should I just try to screw the tiny black donuts in by hand?) The first, which came with the TT, has two right-angular grids, one inner and one outer, each with a stylus guide point. But I have no idea how I'm supposed to use the grids to align the cartridge's angle, since, they're right-angular. A second one that I got from http://www.enjoythemusic.com/freestuff.htm has a .PDF doc that prints out a cartridge protractor alignment thingie. Looks nothing like what I got from Pro-Ject, but it may nonetheless be what I need. It has a point to be punched out for the "hole" (for which I prob need a hole-puncher), inner and outer guide points for the stylus to sit over, and there are angular lines to align the cartridge to. This one I believe I know what to do with.
Any thoughts on any of this stuff? I'm nervous about messing this thing up. I've already extended the tiny wires beyond where they should be. Looks messy and just bugs me. Now I'm concerned about making sure that I align the cartridge correctly. I'd appreciate any thoughts or wisdom from people here who've been down this road already. E.g., should I buy those tiny plyers I mentioned or is there a better way? Can I perform a surgery on the tonearm that'll allow me to get those wires back in more perfectly? Are there any other tools I'll need, other than the tiny screwdriver provided by Benz Micro?
Help!
Nervous in L.A.
The dealer at Needle Doctor suggested braiding. I thought of a gentle layer of scotch tape under the headshell (if there'd be room). My audiophile boss recommended a dulled-down toothpick to push them back in, but warned me about how dangerous it would be if I did not exercize great care and patience with that method. The wires do not seem that they will be making contact with the record surface when all is said and done, but I do not know for certain.
Also, I have two types of protractors to align this cartridge when I've gotten everything ready. (I'm currently considering buying a tiny plyers for the little nuts that have to be fitted over the screw ends on the bottom of the cartridge. Is that a wise choice or should I just try to screw the tiny black donuts in by hand?) The first, which came with the TT, has two right-angular grids, one inner and one outer, each with a stylus guide point. But I have no idea how I'm supposed to use the grids to align the cartridge's angle, since, they're right-angular. A second one that I got from http://www.enjoythemusic.com/freestuff.htm has a .PDF doc that prints out a cartridge protractor alignment thingie. Looks nothing like what I got from Pro-Ject, but it may nonetheless be what I need. It has a point to be punched out for the "hole" (for which I prob need a hole-puncher), inner and outer guide points for the stylus to sit over, and there are angular lines to align the cartridge to. This one I believe I know what to do with.
Any thoughts on any of this stuff? I'm nervous about messing this thing up. I've already extended the tiny wires beyond where they should be. Looks messy and just bugs me. Now I'm concerned about making sure that I align the cartridge correctly. I'd appreciate any thoughts or wisdom from people here who've been down this road already. E.g., should I buy those tiny plyers I mentioned or is there a better way? Can I perform a surgery on the tonearm that'll allow me to get those wires back in more perfectly? Are there any other tools I'll need, other than the tiny screwdriver provided by Benz Micro?
Help!
Nervous in L.A.