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Ikeda IT-407 tonearm geometry

I’ve read all there is to read on this subject and never got satisfaction. It inspired me to ask this question earlier.
“Cartridge alignment with non slotted headshells”. 
The main reason I have a problem with these headshells is with my Ikeda it407 (chrome) tonearm, the cartridge must be twisted quite a bit in towards centre.  I have a vintage audio technica headshell with fixed holes and I don't even need a protractor to see that it won’t work. I don’t think stevenson alignment is this bad? I don't have a protractor with stevenson. My pivot to spindle distance is set perfect using my smartractor. I’m quite sure it is not possible to use an spu headshell in my Ikeda with the tonearm at the recommended distance without being seriously out of alignment. I’ve researched this online and I’ve spoken to Bill Demars at Beauty of Sound.  He said that the recommended pivot to spindle distance is probably wrong and some people position at a further distance. He agreed about spu in spu headshell in the ikeda arm not being ideal. I’ve never heard if anyone has asked Ikeda these questions about their arm. 


I do really like this arm, the way it sounds and the fact that is has a removable headshell, 
I’d just like to have better understanding of it? 



sdrsdrsdr
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
The main reason I have a problem with these headshells is with my Ikeda it407 (chrome) tonearm, the cartridge must be twisted quite a bit in towards centre.


I have Ikeda IT-345 with original headshell. The reason Ikeda-San made the shape of the headshell so strange is because he did it for his own IKEDA cartridges first. BUT overhang is adjustable on the shell, so you can move it forward or backward. Azimuth is adjustable too. This shell is definitely not cool for square shape cartridges, looks a bit ugly together. It's perfect for IKEDA cartridges and for something with rounded shape as Miyabi Standard, Miyajima etc. Why don't you just buy IKEDA cantilever-less cartridge for this wonderful tonearm? 

 I have a vintage audio technica headshell with fixed holes and I don't even need a protractor to see that it won’t work. I don’t think stevenson alignment is this bad? I don't have a protractor with stevenson.

Which one ?  When AT made Technihard series they made two versions (short 13 and long 15) with adjustable overhand and azimuth. 


My pivot to spindle distance is set perfect using my smartractor. I’m quite sure it is not possible to use an spu headshell in my Ikeda with the tonearm at the recommended distance without being seriously out of alignment. I’ve researched this online and I’ve spoken to Bill Demars at Beauty of Sound.  He said that the recommended pivot to spindle distance is probably wrong and some people position at a further distance.

Can't comment on long version, but since the IKEDA IT-345 and FR-64s share the same PS distance (230mm) i think IKEDA IT407 and FR-66s protractors are the same too (just longer PS) ? 

IKEDA-345 and FR-64s / FR-64fx alignment method is Stevenson. 

I don’t think stevenson alignment is this bad? I don't have a protractor with stevenson.

I recommend you to buy Dr.Feickert protractor to have 3 methods in one protractor (Baerwald, Lofgren and Stevenson). It's great tool for any turntable and any tonearm, worth the investment (top quality product, made in Germany). 



sdrsdrsdr OP
196 posts
 
@chakster 

Before you recommend something you should check out the two protractors that I use. The Dr Feichert is known to be very good. The two that I mentioned are just better as I stated they have the mirrored hologram. I find this is the only way you can look at zenith and know that your looking at it at the right angle. Much more accurate. 
sdrsdrsdr OP
196 posts
 


https://www.arche-headshell.de/alignment-tools/smartractor/
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I recommended Dr.Feickert because you said this:

I don’t have a protractor with stevenson.

Believe it of not, but i don’t like mirror under cartridges, i have very bad experience with Van Den Hul mirror protractor, i prefer white lines on black surface (just like Feickert, better for my eyes) and it’s enough for me to align cantilever with these lines. Additional light is a good bonus for Feickert. A good vision is also good bonus, i can handle it.

You can always order Stevenson protractor for one particular tonearm.

If you don’t need Stevenson alignment at all it’s another story, but then you will have to twist your cartridges in the headshells on Ikeda.



sdrsdrsdr OP
196 posts
 
I thought I would try Stevenson but I keep hearing how poor it is. Maybe uni-din is a better choice. Check this out. 
https://www.analogplanet.com/content/uni-din-versus-löfgren-b-just-clarify
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