Stylus alignment help
@nosleeptilldownload, Here are the three main things I can currently think of: I know it isn’t the best solution or maybe even (a) solution, but try and have your TT at a height that doesn’t require bending/kneeling. If possible, just take your TT to a reputable dealer for a precision alignment. Then, later on when the cartridge suspension has sagged a little,..I bought on of these... NASOTEC headshell alignment block. available through www.soundsofsilence.com . It’s a clear acrylic "see-through" block with etched reference markings that make adjusting VTA VERY EASY . It’s a good reference for visual azimuth as well. The good thing about it is it can be set on a lp next to your tonearm and is visually a real help! All the best! |
The line between the arm pivot and stylus is called ''effective length''. The correct stylus position can be adjusted either by moving arm pivot forth or back (SME method) or by moving the stylus in the headshell till the stylus reach the point at which the right distance to the pivot is adjusted. This distance determine the right geometry as intended by the arm producer. By using headshells with ''movable'' 4 pins connector one can adjust the mentioned distance as well the azimuth by turning the headshell around 4 pin connector. When both adjustments are done the 4 pin connector should be fastened by the included screw. |
Alignment is now done. It took a few attempts but everything lines up. I used the supplied alignment tool from AT as the two null point measurements for the arm seemed different on the other protractors I looked at. Audio Technica also advised me that the overhang was set correctly with the supplied AT95ex cartridge (they seemed confused why I was moving anything) so I popped that back in and made a mark where the stylus point was with the tonearm over the spindle and used that to move the new cartridge forward a touch. It sounded good to start with but now it sounds amazing, I got more bass response and the imaging is amazing. Listening to SRV playing little wing from the 45rpm release left me wondering if there was any point playing another song. I can’t believe how big a difference there is between the 95ex and the 120eb, it is bright but I like that. Thank you all for being patient and helping me do this as I’m sure it’s second nature and rather trivial to many of you. |
