Just got my Scoutmaster, need setup suggestions...

Forgive my stupidity, but what is the azimuth?

I haven't felt this dumb in a while....

JPV, thanks for the o-ring tip. That's a really smart trick to help deal with a vexing part of setup.

There is another method that you may find more user friendly, but you'll need a test recording that has output from one channel and then the other. I use the Cardas burn-in test LP and the instructions from the 21st Century Vinyl DVD. One of the tables he demonstrates setting up is the Scoutmaster. If you don't feel like purchasing it, I believe that it can be rented from Blockbuster. It's NOT the only way, but I find it easier to get quantifiable results. I also use the Scoutmaster with the DV 20XH cartridge and have found it requires a LOT of patience and adjustments to get best results. When it's right, it is an amazing setup. HTH

I dont want to add to many different suggestions but thought these might help.
You can ground the spindle at the bottom of your table with some stranded wire, wrap it around the threads and then ground the other end this will eliminate static buildup.
If you are using the mechanical anti skate put the slip ring on first then the weight. After you set the needed weight for your cartridge move the slip ring against the weight and then set the azimuth. You wont lose your weight adjustment.
Azimuth is leveling the arm and cartridge to the platter. Its not hard to do i use a ruler that has a slide on it, put a record on and place the rod supplied by vpi on the groove. Get a good eye ball starting point and then use the ruler. Move the weight either right or left in small amounts until you get the same reading on both ends of the rod. When you get this set tighten the alan screw tight on the weight.
One more and most important thing get your table absolutely level.
Don't get to carried away with how difficult this all sounds. Its easy and you will be payed off with sounds that your digital source cant deliver like a well set up turntable.
good luck you can do it

Azimuth is the fancy term for how the arm sits on the record, looking at it from the very front - in the face of the cartridge. It should be absolutely horizontal to the record. Its exactly what I suggested to you above.