Cartridge Setup w/Geodisc by MoFi


Upgrading to a Benz Glider, which I consider to be a significant dollar investment; so, I want setup to be spot on. I only have a Geodisc by Mobile Fidelity. Will it give me a proper setup or do I need the services of a professional?

Thanks in advance.
rockyboy
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.
What Mark said. I also find it useful to remember, before I start installing a moving coil cartridge, that there is a very powerful magnetic field around the little thing and it will exercise serious attraction on any ferrous tools I use. Of course I'm going to be using non-magnetic screws.

It's worth it, learning to do your own setup. I take my time and never plan on getting it just right in the first session. Rough install, rough setup, tuning, fine tuning is how it seems to go for me. Enjoy!
Guys,

I'm up to the task. I have a lot of info on the subject that I can refer to. But I have to tell you, if I do this setup myself, I will always wonder if someone with more experience could have done a better job and if I'm hearing everything that the cartridge has to offer. That's just my nature.

Again, thanks for the info and tips. May come back on the forum in a few weeks, after receipt and setup and let you know how everything went.

Again, have a Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!
If you don't do this setup yourself, you will always wonder if this "someone with more experience" did it right and if you're hearing everything that the cartridge has to offer.

Your fears and neuroses are normal - this is part of the journey. I have a feeling that even if you pay for someone to set up your table, you'll want to prove it yourself. Then you'll pull out 2 or 3 protractors and see that they don't match your current alignment. Then you'll go through the Stages of Mourning, and then go on a quest to determine the "correct" alignment and why these different protractors with identical approaches do not agree. So then you'll decide that turntable setup can't be *that* difficult, so you decide to learn how to create your own protractor. Etc...

Oh...are we talking about you or me?

Anyways, don't hesitate to reach out (either through the forum or directly) if you have questions during the process.