cartridge alignment?

Firstly, it would help knowing what Table-Arm, and what geometry is suiatble before making any solid recommendations to you.

Most Japanese vintage Tables will more than likely be better suited with Stevenson Null Geometry. Although some do like, and use Baerwald with Table like the Technics 12XX models.

Ifm you should find your TableArm will be suitable with Baerwald, there are numerous, cheaper options, suuch as a going to vinylengine.com, and downloading free protractors, and printing some up. Just make sure you double check proper scale size when printing to paper

Then there's Protractors like the Mobile Fidelity Geodisc (about $40), the Turntable Basics Mirror which is very good (about $24 shipped), and there are others like the Ken Willis Arc Protractor ($50 for a 3-Null, 2-Point Geometry Arc Protractor, Baerwald, Stevenson-Loefgren) The MintLP Protractor is another at $90, but is from overseas. Said to be a very good Arc Protractor as well.

With Arc protractors, versus Sight Line Type, like the Geodisc, or Turntable Basics Models, you will need to know the exact Spindle-Pivot distance specification of your Tonearm, and you should confirm this exact required distance by actual accurate measurement to be positively sure before ordering a specific Arc Protractor. I hope this helps you. Mark

You could go to enjoythemusic.com and print out a tool that will atleast get you going.

Visit the Vinyl Engine website and download any of several free alignment protractors.

What turntable/arm/cartridge are you using? ...and the rest of your system (just curious)?

Hope that helps.

I suggest the Hi Fi News test record, which has a paper protractor in it, complete instructions, and test tracks to help you get things dialled in. I got mine for around 30 bucks from either Acoustic Sounds or Elusive Disk, can't remember. Be patient. It takes a few weeks of adjusting and listening, readjusting and listening . . . but your ears will tell you when it's right. Also, there's lots of info. on the Web regarding cartridge alignment. Good luck, and happy listening.

Here are some links that will either help you or confuse you.

user guide
protractors
tonearm alignment
setup

You also should invest in a scale to set your VTF.

Regards,
Todd