How do you align your cartridge?

[02audionoob]

A protractor that came with a turntable? or with a cartridge? Or a separate one that you bought, like the Geo-Disc? Baerwald? Stevenson? Let the dealer do it? I drew this in AutoCAD and can now achieve near-perfect Baerwald alignment on my Rega in literally 2 or 3 minutes. It doesn't actually require both points. The first one nails it and the 2nd one is maybe useful as a check.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5507991929_98c8c1b70d_z.jpg

What say you AR? How do you align your cartridge?

[JohnMichael]

I use the MoFi Geodisc which I have owned for more years than I can remember. I have aligned many cartridges on many turntables using the Geodisc. It easily sets overhang and offset angle in one easy procedure. Once you set the sight line to the tonearms pivot point all you have to do is move the tonearm over to the grid. Once over the grid just move the cartridge until the stylus is in the little indentation and then twist the cartridge until it is parallel to the grid. No other points to check you are all set.

The following link shows a great idea to make aligning a cartridge easier and more accurate. I first became aware of this from a post made by JRA.

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

Just my thoughts.

[JoeE SP9]

I use a 30 year old DB Systems protractor. It's finicky, fiddly and a PITA to use but it works well.

[Woochifer]

Been using a Geodisc since 1982. Makes the whole process much more streamlined and consistent compared to other approaches. Those cardboard alignment grids don't work nearly as well. I've seen cases where you're supposed to cut the back page from the owner's manual, cut along the dotted line, and use that as the alignment guide!