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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
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.

tzh21y OP
1,654 posts
 
I am not judging azimuth.  I am wondering if the tonearm should just naturally list inwards?  seems bizzarre.
invictus005
597 posts
 
What does listing inwards mean? If you explained properly, maybe we could help.
tzh21y OP
1,654 posts
 
its tilted toward the platter side of the table
lewm
13,174 posts
 
Photo?
Up til now, I thought you were saying that the headshell does not sit at zero degrees azimuth, which means that when you view the headshell "on end", the flat top surface of the headshell is not parallel to the LP surface.  If this is NOT what you are worried about, then what ARE you worried about?  And before you go further, keep in mind that it is not a given fact that all headshells fit all tonearms properly.  I have seen some gross mismatches where the aftermarket headshell won't firmly seat in the end of the arm wand. Which is why you are best off to start out with the OEM headshell and work from there.

I disagree with Invictus, there should NOT be any play between the headshell and the arm wand when the collar is tightened.  And as you tighten the collar, play or wiggle in the azimuth setting should become increasingly limited until there is none.  At that point, if you perceive a need, you can use the built-in adjustment for azimuth on the headshell itself, if that is available.
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