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When cantilever not parallel to cartridge sides


A newbie question:

I have only bought two new cartridges so far and found that in both cases, the cantilevers are not parallel to the sides of the cartridge bodies. In both cases, I have to twist the cartridge bodies by 20% or so in order to properly set the correct zenith angle.

I wonder is this normal? or should I send it back to the dealer for exchange?
viper_z
viper_z OP
95 posts
 
All,
I am very very sorry.. Pls accept my apology. I meant to say that the angle is about 20 DEGREES off! (Not 20%!).

Please allow me to attach this picture below, please click on it and see if this cartridge alignment is normal.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9358823@N02/2939007240/

Thank you all.
viper_z OP
95 posts
 
sorry again.. reposting the link to the picture I refer to in my previous post:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/2939007240_2c2fbfc260.jpg
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,503 posts
 
..let me guess....ORTOFON.... Yes send it back. Would you buy a new car with a pushed in fender??
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Photo is blurred but it looks like an Audio Technica not an Ortofon Stringbean.

Keep in mind that the cartridge sides, and the cantilever of course, are not always parallel to the headshell sides when properly aligned with your protractor.

Good luck.
pryso
1,967 posts
 
Rather than a new car with a pushed in fender, one where the wheels were not aligned. That is the effect you have here -- mis tracking.

Cartridge set up/alignment can compensate for a few degrees of manufacturing error. As others suggested, use the cantilever to do so, not the sides of the cartridge body. But compensating for anything CLOSE to 20 degrees will likely mean either a bent cantilever or internal misalignment of the coil(s) and magnet(s).

No worries about newbie questions, we all had to learn this stuff at some point. And most of us are still learning. 8^)
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