What alignment method? Audio Technica ATPL120
07-02-09: Fond_but_not_in_loveThe full specs for the Technics SL12x0 turntables are available href=http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_electronics/technics_dj/prod_sp ecs_sl1200mk2.asp>here. I've scoured for equivalent specs for the PL120, including the downloadable owner's manual, but AT has nothing to say about effective length or overhang. On the Technics, effective length is 230 mm; overhang is 15mm. Effective length is the distance from the tonearm's pivot point to the stylus when properly aligned. For overhang: Swivel the tonearm to the spindle; overhang is the distance between the center of the spindle and where the stylus should be when properly aligned. Therefore, on a Technics, the distance from the tonearm pivot to spindle center is 215mm, and the overhang is an additional 15mm for a total effective length of 230mm. Measure your tonearm from its pivot point to the center of the spindle. If it is 215mm, you should get an excellent alignment from the Technics protractor. And really, it's a subjective thing anyway. To align a cartridge, you have to get the overhang to where the stylus hits the groove at a 90 deg. angle at two points, called null points. Different alignment methods go for the null points at different places along the record. The thing about the Technics alignment is that it favors (so I've read) a more accurate alignment toward the inner part of the record to minimize one of the LP's more noticeable weaknesses--inner groove distortion. There should be less of that with the Technics alignment. It works for me. Oh, and since the Ortofon Blue is an elliptical stylus (great matchup, btw), the alignment is going to be more forgiving than something like a Fritz-Geiger. Either alignment should work OK. The downloadable protractors are free. Try'em both and see if you notice any difference. I favor the Technics. |
