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jrhymeammo
07-08-2008, 06:21 PM
I had posted this in a different thread, but I figured I'll make a recommendation in a separate thread.

Even when we use a cartridge protractor, it is very difficult to sight your cartridge in respect to printed grids. If a body of cartridge is square, or has straight/parallel sides, it does make it a little easier. But this is a very difficult procedure, even if you have 6th sense like myself here...


http://gallery.audioreview.com/data/audio//500/Shelter_Aligned.jpg

Finding long/straight/light rod can be a bit hard. I've used a toothpick, pin-nails in a past. The one I'm using now is a titanium rod. Perhaps a long sawing needle would work better, but no need to get flashy here.

If your cartridge has a flat front surface, then all you gotta do is tape a little piece as seen above. As you can see, it is not exactly DEAD center, but this is as close as I can get it without breaking it. Just try to set it up as close as possible with your eyes only, then tape on a little stick. You'll see how far you were off.

For a cartridge such as Audio Technica OC9 or Denon DL-301, you will need to tape it to a side. If you are not sure if your side walls are parallel, then just use your head and tape a rod to both sides.

One of the thing we all must be aware of is to adjust your VTF.
If you are still reading this, then I'm sure you own a TT. This trick may be your cheapest and most effective tweak for your analog setup.

JRA


PS:
Of course I did not come up with this setup tool myself. I basically stole this idea from the Schon's cartridge alignment tool(I'm sure he stole it from someone else too).
If you want more info, go to a link below:

http://www.tnt-audio.com/accessories/schon_e.html

JRA

JohnMichael
07-08-2008, 06:51 PM
Great tip JRA and who cares if you stole it you have redeemed yourself by sharing it. As my eyes get older anything that helps with cartridge alignment is a blessing.

My tip for using the Mo-Fi Geodisc to align cartridges is to use a jewelers loop or magnifier to make sure the stylus is actually in the dimple. Since the surface is black and the cartridge blocks some of the light needed to align I slide a loop against the surface of the geodisc to check for stylus position. Then I twist the cartridge parallel to the lines. I follow up by checking stylus position once again. One time I thought I had the cartridge aligned and looking at the cantilever I thought the tip was in the dimple but was a mm or two back and the sound improved when I moved the cartridge forward.

JohnMichael
07-15-2008, 05:59 PM
I had posted this in a different thread, but I figured I'll make a recommendation in a separate thread.

Even when we use a cartridge protractor, it is very difficult to sight your cartridge in respect to printed grids. If a body of cartridge is square, or has straight/parallel sides, it does make it a little easier. But this is a very difficult procedure, even if you have 6th sense like myself here...


http://gallery.audioreview.com/data/audio//500/Shelter_Aligned.jpg

Finding long/straight/light rod can be a bit hard. I've used a toothpick, pin-nails in a past. The one I'm using now is a titanium rod. Perhaps a long sawing needle would work better, but no need to get flashy here.


JRA




Thanks Hiro,

I tried it tonight and adjusted my cartridge and then realized the rod was not parallel. I refastened the rod and reset the cartridge. It is a great visual help in aligning cartridges. I do not know if the new position is any better than before but I feel confident it is aligned properly. I will use this method again when I install a new cartridge. Thanks you.

JohnMichael
07-19-2008, 07:11 PM
JRA here is a cartridge that will save you the time to mount a rod to align.

http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/other_equipment/cartridge.htm

Seriously I bought some pencil leads which are light and easy to attach to the front of the cartridges. I have even figured out a way to use that trick with my Ortofon OM 20 if I decide to use it again. I can set the overhang and then pull the stylus forward enough to place a piece of lead and slide back to hold the lead. The cartridge is a bear to set offset angle and that trick may help. If you need some pencil leads let me know. I had to buy a multi pack. Also did I read you wanted to listen to some classical music. I owe you some so let me know. You are light years ahead of me when it comes to jazz but I can introduce you to some classical.

bobsticks
07-20-2008, 04:34 AM
Q-Tip

You're welcome, Jay.

SlumpBuster
07-20-2008, 07:03 AM
http://nerdwithswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/q-tip.JPG

jrhymeammo
07-20-2008, 05:46 PM
Wise words by my genius friends. Hey Slumpy, you need to get back on or off of Adderal, cuz I'm saying. You feel me?

JRA

trollgirl
08-13-2008, 10:05 AM
Thanks - I can use this tip setting up a cartridge on my Dual, using the dB protractor. Using pencil leads is a great idea too, and they come in 0.3 mm size. On my linear trackers, it's not an issue.

Laz

jrhymeammo
08-13-2008, 07:26 PM
It truly is one of the easiest and surest ways to mount a cart. I will no longer be sighting a cart switching back and forth with my eyes. I image 95% of TT have cartidges mounted improperly. I hope this will help a future analog newbie, Sir 'Sticks, mount a cartridge all by himself.

hifitommy
09-06-2008, 09:23 AM
after MANY years of aligning with protractors both simple and complicated, this seems the easiest way to judge parallelism. i have often doubted my own eyes but this will be a major improvement.

now if there were only a remote controlled and accurate vta adjuster....

jrhymeammo
09-10-2008, 06:36 PM
This is truly the easiest and the surest way to align cartridge to a protractor. Last night I had installed my cart on a new headshell I had picked up. The hardest part was finding a pencil lead and a piece of tape.

http://www.jacmusic.com/Yamamoto/images/Phono/HS-1A-M.jpe

HS-1A, Yamamoto Sound Craft Corp.

I'm not sure if I'm just hearing what I had wanted to sound, but music seem to come out warmer and smoother than Zupreme by LP Gear. Bass isnt as pronounced as Zupreme shelly, but it's certinaly not wooly nor muddy. It may just be the difference in VTA and tonearm mass, but do prefer it.

Only fault with this headshell seems to be QC/PC of Yamamoto. First one I had purchased didnt seem to have correct azimuth angle, so I had to complain and request for a replacement. 2nd one was better but is still slightly off. Since I didnt have the balls to request for a 3rd one, I had decided to live with it. If it's going to bother me more down the road, I'll just slip in 1 or 2 paper cut outs from a hole-puncher.(nice little trick for a setup that doesnt offer azimuth adjustment). I wouldnt recommend this unit if you do NOT have a friendly Hi-Fi dealer. For now my analog gear is sounding very good, and am quite satisfied....... for now.

Have Fun,
JRA

hifitommy
09-10-2008, 07:09 PM
what a fine piece of audio equipment. and i am sure it wasnt cheeeeep.

jrhymeammo
09-14-2008, 04:33 PM
http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/i/f/1221437457.jpg

Great little headshell. :0:

JRA

hifitommy
09-14-2008, 05:03 PM
that would be a nice addition to my fr cartridge.

jrhymeammo
09-14-2008, 07:17 PM
Hi Tommy,

I got it from a place called the Audio Union in Japan.
You can always get it on Ebayer from a Japanese seller named JoyNetCafe.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamamoto-Sound-HS-1A-Headshell_W0QQitemZ320289812322QQihZ011QQcategoryZ 64620QQcmdZViewItem

At $102, it seems a bit expensive, since I got it for less than 6800 yen @ 108JPY/$.

BRANDONH
09-15-2008, 03:50 PM
http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/i/f/1221437457.jpg

Great little headshell. :0:

JRA
Very nice
It would be interesting to try the leads from the Zupreme.