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Adjusting the cueing mechanism on a Mørch tonearm

Greetings!
I've installed a Mørch UP-4 tonearm in a new arm board on a VPI HW-19 Mk 2 turntable. Even though the arm board is entirely flush with the acrylic base plate, the cueing mechanism is a bit too low such that the stylus doesn't clear the record rim. Is there a method for adjusting the height of that tonearm's cueing device? I can't find anything online and a note to the distrbutor gave me the not too satisfactory (but maybe only) solution of installing a washer under the tonearm base plate. That would throw off the azimuth. Advice appreciated!
Thanks,Keith
kacomess
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,846 posts
 

Mike, when I assumed the arm was going to need to be raised via spacers, I recommended to Keith that he go to Ace Hardware and get some stainless steel washers of sufficient thickness to get the arm to the required height. If the arm base does in fact afford adjustment, that won't be necessary.

One thing I found surprising in the Moerch is it's having a headshell with no provision for cartridge adjustment---just two little holes big enough for mounting bolts. And the arm base is only slightly larger than the arm's upright bearing column, again affording no means of adjustment. Which means the location of the hole drilled in the arm board must be perfect. Not how I would design an arm! But it is really well made, and the chrome plating is as good as that on SME's---beautiful! 

kacomess OP
199 posts
 
Here’s an update on my Mørch tonearm saga:
I'll preface this with many sincere thanks to the ever knowledgeable Eric (aka bdp24) for his tireless work on this project and his expert advice and help!!

1) Hans Henrik Mørch personally responds to questions. He was prompt and very helpful. Hans misunderstood my original question; hence, the initial suggestion of placing a washer under the tonearm base. The US distributor for Mørch, SoraSound, supplied me with a PDF of the mounting template.

2) There is a small (1.5mm) Allen set-screw at the base of the tonearm which is very discreetly situated. While I’d noticed it, I didn’t know that - by simply loosening it - the entire arm lift mechanism can be moved up/down. It’s all perfectly aligned now.

3) As I mentioned in an earlier post, I wasn’t using the term "azimuth" correctly. By slightly rotating the eccentric counterweights on the tonearm, I was able to align the cartridge so the sides are now orthogonal to the record surface.

4) To clarify regarding the new arm board, Kinko’s didn’t print the UP-4 mounting template exactly to scale from the PDF I provided. I should have measured it myself before having the new arm board drilled. An oversight on my part, of course. I got another new and perfectly matched acrylic arm board for about $30: very reasonable. I recommend Tap Plastics in Portland. They did a good job and the work was done in about an hour.

5) The MK 2 sounds very fine indeed through my recently acquired LRS (replacing Vandersteen 2C).

6) My next step may be replacing the Mk 2 suspension with either Herbie’s Tall Tenderfeet or maybe the IsoAcoustics Gaia III. The Herbie’s are much less expensive. I’ve not seen a performance comparison between them.



Keith
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Sorry to burst in but quick note to Eric.
I have sent a couple of messages, hope they got through just fine
Thx
Over and out

Again apologies to the OP...
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,993 posts
 
I was just going to chime in when I saw your recent post.  I was a Morch dealer and know the arms pretty well, (I've personally owned a UP4 and a DP6).

Hans is a really great guy, glad he helped you.

Yes, there is a set screw for the arm lifter mechanism.  Happy you found it.

EXCELLENT table and arm combo by the way!
kacomess OP
199 posts
 
Thanks to all!
Keith
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