The best phono cartridge alignment tool

the other big trick with alignment tools is turntable height and sight positioning. if you can get your body to be at a height and angle where you are comfortable enough to be in one position for extended periods, then the odds of a better set-up are increased. 

many times i see turntables on low racks or crowded into corners and i wonder just how meticulously those tt’s can be set up?

tools are only as good as our ability to use them. setting up an arm or cartridge should be a pleasure and satisfying. or our results will be diminished.

+1 for @mikelavigne on turntable positioning. Mine resides on the top shelf of my rack which makes it way easier to set alignment, especially for these old eyes.

I usually use a table and then move it to the rack and relieves it.
Is this method fraught with issues?
(Other than a long set of interconnects)

@holmz I usually use a table and then move it to the rack and relieves it.
Is this method fraught with issues?
(Other than a long set of interconnects)

nothing wrong with moving a turntable to a better spot to easily set it up, and then moving it back. this is assuming it’s light enough to be able to reasonably move it, and moving it does not in some way upset your careful set-up. no way to generalize on how that might go.

in my particular case, that is not realistic, as my three turntables are too heavy and complex to be moved in that way; two are 200 pounds, and one is 120 pounds. so all three are at least a 2 person job to move, and two of must be broken down to move.

if you can easily pick up your turntable and fully secure the arm while you do it, then i would agree doing the set-up where it’s easier makes sense.

ultimately if it sounds good to you after moving and set-up then it’s good.

I just set up my VPI Classic 3 again after watching this Video . It really helped me understand how to use some of the tools.

I used the protractor arm that came with the turntable (Sorry, I know this is where you wanted a suggestion). But, here are some extra ideas that may help you:

• I created a stationary arm out of a coat hanger. It overhangs the strobe matt so I can tell when the speed is correct (i.e. the numbers don’t move).
• I bought a laser leveler for $60 at Lowes (I already had a tripod stand). This was a big help.
  • I could never get the tone arm level using the plastic block with the lines on it that was described in the video. With the laser, I can look at the line all the way across the tonearm.
  • VPI gives you a small steel bar to set the azimuth. I could never tell when it was level. The laser helped with this.

The dynamics are a lot better now. So I am a happy camper 😀

Let me know if you think the video is any good. Before watching it, I really didn’t think that my cart was set up correctly. 

I have a USB scope.  It is too tedious to use so I set the tonearm level and adjust by ear.