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MMF 2.1 azimuth/tonearm lifter problem

I recently purchased a used Music Hall MMF 2.1 and have no experience setting up turntables. I followed the manual instructions with success except for one problem. The cartridge (Goldring Elan) was not even with the groove (the left side was higher). I adjusted this by loosening the ultra-small screw on the back of the tonearm and leveling the tonearm to make the cartridge even. In doing so, I made it so the tonearm lifter pin did not reach the rear of the tonearm to lift the stylus off the record. The lifter did work prior to the adjustment due to being lower on one end, and hence, closer to the lifter pin. My questions are as follows:
1) Should I not have adjusted the azimuth?
2) Are certain cartridges supposed to be uneven?
3) Should I not worry about using the tonearm lifter?
4) DO cartridge heights vary? (I am considering a AT 4470Mla)

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Johnny
johnnypeepers
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,907 posts
 
Johnny, make sure the VTA screws at the base of the tonearm are tightened. They probably were not and by grabbing the tonearm, you could have lifted the base without knowing it.
Lower the cartride on the record, look at the arm from the side and see if the arm is more or less parallel to the record surface. If there is a considerable angle(tail up), make it more or less parallel. Otherwise if it looks fine, don't touch VTA.
ANyway, does the platform move up and down when you use the arm lift?
johnnypeepers OP
2 posts
 
No, the VTA base screws were tightened the whole time. I had already performed the VTA tonearm leveling (and tightened the two allen wrench bolts back) before I noticed the uneven cartridge. Even if they were loose, the base and the tonearm lifter pin housing are connected, so they would rise and fall together. I looked for a way to raise the tonearm lifter platform, but it is an inaccessible bolt (no screw head or allen accessibility).

To clarify, the tonearm lifter is a round bolt that rises out of a housing to meet a cross-arm attached to the underside of the tonearm.

Should I not have leveled the cartridge to make it perpendicular with the platter? When looking head-on, the Goldring Elan dipped down to the right. From my reading it should be even. When I leveled it the tonearm lifter pin would no longer reach the tonearm crossbar to raise the stylus.

Johnny
armstrod
610 posts
 
Johnnypeepers

Now I remember - the cueing platform on the MMF 2.1 tonearm is actually attached to the tonearm. I had to put a pad on top off the cueing piston ("bolt") to keep the arm from being pulled sideways by the antiskate when the arm was lowered. I just Blu-Tak'ed a felt pad on there, but if you need something thicker, you could use foam or rubber.

You've done exactly right by setting the azimuth perpendicular and the arm parallel to the record - that's always a good starting point. Your cueing problem is the manufacturer's fault - they haven't given you a way to adjust it. You'll just have to perform a slight mod on your own.

David
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