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technics 1200g tonearm question headshell angled not parallel to lp

I am using a Ortofon aftermarket headshell and when looking at it it appears to be angled and not parallel to the surface of the record.  It does not have azimuth adjustment but still is this normal for the tonearm to agle the headshell slightly without adjustment.  I have not had a S shaped tonearm and was wondering if it is defective.  Any thoughts? 
tzh21y
invictus005
597 posts
 
There should be enough play in the socket to rotate the headshell and get correct azimuth.

Or are we talking about VTA here. OP needs to clarify.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
If you are talking about azimuth then even the shell without azimuth adjustment can be slightly turned left or right in the tonearm lock on Technics. It is not a problem at all !

Stax is perfect lightweigh headshell with azimut adjustment, much better than ZuPreme which is actually Jelco (OEM).

The best headshells does not have azimuth adjustment (Zyx Live-18, AudioCraft, Grace HS-6 Carbon and many others).

If you're talking about VTA then adjust tonearm or try different mat. Hope there is nothing between your cartidge and shell. 


tzh21y OP
1,654 posts
 
i did try to move it slightly but it is still listing inward.
tzh21y OP
1,654 posts
 
I know I can get an azimuth adjustable headshell.  i just thought the tonearm would accommodate a a non adjustable headshell much better than this.  thats why I thought it may be defective.
jsm71
141 posts
 

I liked the two comments I read above, level the table as the very first thing you do, and never judge azimuth from the arm rest position.

Azimuth should only be reviewed with the cart lowered onto the LP.  This is dopey simple but I balance a plastic swizzle stick (almost no weight) on the top of the head shell.  It's fairly easy to gauge azimuth seeing if the stick and LP surface are parallel.  Even the smallest of adjustments are obvious this way.

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