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Cartridge Set Up Essentials

Just wondering what kit you consider "essential" for proper cartridge alignment for any/all turntables. What should every audiophile have on hand to be able to optimize cartridge set up regardless of turntable brand? For each piece of kit please comment on ease of use and consistency of results. For example, I purchased a MINT Tractor many years ago to use with my VPI Scout and found it very difficult to use--lots of eye strain and uncertain outcomes. Let's hear it!
128x128dodgealum
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
Does anyone use the same size of shoes? My best friend uses
even smaller kind. His reason: ''it feels so good when I put them
off''. Aka ; it depends.
It depends from the number of tonearms, number of carts and
even the size of the spindle  in the number of TT's one owns.
Besides from the ''audio-nervosa'' of the person involved.
I use 3 tonearms on two TT's and own 3 x Mint tractors. For each
tonearm one. All my carts (+50) are ''pre-adjusted'' in their headshells
whit the help of an (plastic) caliper. This way exact ''eff. length'' 
(stylus distance to the pivot) can be determined. By fastening on
the tonearm the geometry can be checked by following the Mint
curve. If I only knew how to adjust the anti-skate...
jtimothya
612 posts
 

Ortofon DS-3 scale for VTF - measures at record height.
SMARTractor protractor - universal, any cart any tonearm
Feickert Adjust+ (includes test record) - azimuth and many tests
Small Machinist level - Starrett 130 - level your turntable
Small flashlight - Olight S10R III - very bright
Magnification
Analog Productions Test Record

The Mint protractor is okay but it is for a single cartridge, single pivot-to-spindle distance.  The DB systems has a stylus landing spot that is too big for real accuracy.

Believe me, that last little fraction of a millimeter, that's not where its at.
Actually, it is.  The difference between "close enough" and accurate can be sonically astonishing.  Get the most out of your cartridge.

agrippa
160 posts
 
MINT Tractor and a pair of 3-4X reading glasses (to obviate the use of a lupe).
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
Did own MINT and threw it away. SMARtractor is pretty good.
Also Dennesen Protractor.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Dr. Feickert latest protractor, nothing else. This is a tool for every tonearm and every cartridge/turntable with all 3 alignment method on it to choose one you like. The most important: it have precise pivot to spindle ruler. It's German quality and not so expensive, some others cost more. The best way is to buy used Feickert if the price for a new is too much for you. 

Then a Hi-Fi Test LP and Cardas Frequency Sweep LP. 

Ortofon DS-1 digital scale

Good light and good tools 

I don't need anything else
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