Cartridge Setup w/Geodisc by MoFi

Great suggestions.

I need to try to absorb all the info that you guys have passed to me, as well as other info that I've pulled off the net. Really appreciate all your support. I think I have what I need to do a decent job of set up.

I must admit that I contacted a local stereo store today and learned they do cartridge set ups for $60. Will talk to the gentleman upon his return Monday and see what tools he uses. If I determine he's probably going to do a better job that I could (for example, he may also adjust VTA and stylus pressure too), I may punt and let him do it.

Hope you all have a happy and safe New Year!!

IMHO, you'd be better off learning to do it yourself. I once paid much more than that to get my table set up, and in retrospect, it was money wasted. If your "local stereo store" says they've set your VTA / VTF to their optimum values, how do you really know? Did they just level your tonearm and set your VTF to 90% of the maximum recommended value and call it a day? Did they pull out the osciloscope? If they set up your table, but you do not ensure your table it perfectly level (when sitting on whatever you set your table upon), you've thrown your $60 away. That money would buy you a quality steel ruler, a level, a Shure VTF scale, a small mirror - everything you need to set up this cartridge and many more.

Just my thoughts...

Thought I might get some flack from my last post.

Okaaaay, I'll muddle through and do it myself. Keep your fingers crossed. Won't get the cartridge for two weeks; so, I have a lot of time to learn the process.

Thanks for slapping me back into reality.

Rocky, Remember this....
The Glider, like many other MC Cartridges, does not come with any type of Stylus Guard. That Cantilever-Stylus sticks out like a sore thumb, and invites just one little mistake. I'm not trying to scare you. Mounting a Cartridge is an endeavor that basically allows for zero mistakes. When mounting the Cartridge, have everything ready right in front of you.

I commonly first mount the Tonearm Wires to rear of Cartridge with the Carridge held between fingers. Prior to this, first know exactly what Cartridge Mounting Screws (proper length that is) are going to be needed from the Glider's Box-Case to properly Mount the Cartridge.

One the Glider, they go directly into the top of Cartridge body. There's no provision on the Glider, with overly long screws that will go through a Nut, and be seen on the Cartridge's sides. This means the Mounting Screws cannot be too long, or too short. Find this out first, what Screws to use before final mount-up of Cartridge. Hav the Table in a well lit area, it does not have to be in the system hooked up for prliminary set-up. A Kitchen Table may work fine for you.

The Cartridge Pins should be color coded. A simple matter knowing what wires goes where, but slipping the Clips onto the Cartridge Pins needs careful coaxing. All the while keeping in mind you have a bare Cantilever sticking out in the breeze.

Once you get the Cartridge mounted to Arm, try carefully "neating up" the Headshell Wires, keep the Mounting Screws very lightly snug.

You'll need to firstly start a good rough adjustment of VTF. You don't want that Cartridge coming down apon the Geodisc with 10 grams of force. First float the Arm to neutral, dial in maybe 1-1/2 grams, then, once you clearly know you don't have excessive weight placed upon Stylus-Cantilever, then begin onto the Cartridge Alignment. Keep those hands away from that Stylus, don't use any weird Screwdrivers to mount, use the Screwdriver, and Screws that comes with the Cartridge.

There's probably some very small Plastic Washers with the Benz Screws, Use these on the Screw, at the Screw Head, to insure no scratching oocurs to Headshell Top Face.

Once Alignment has been dialed in, then go onto fine re-adjustment of VTF. Select a middle range at first. Go from there. Same with Anti-Skate. Hope this helps.
Mark

No flack...it's just that once you stop being intimitated by table setup, you'll have greater satisfaction with the medium.

Again...just my opinion.