Alignment tool for SME V + Shelter

Typical cutterhead angle is 1.5 deg. +/- depending on the lathe operator. I confirmed this with Stan Ricker, a well-known mastering engineer and lathe operator (Cardas Test Record.)

The precise angle of the cantilever to the record surface is irrelevant for playback. It can vary from zero deg. (for strain gauge cartridges) to 90 deg. (Decca cartridges) and everything in between.

However, ensuring that a line contact stylus' edges line up with the angled groove undulations is essential, no matter how it's attached to the cantilever, or what the VTA winds up being. Don't worry about those things.

It's nice to be able to adjust SRA on the fly to compensate for different record thicknesses and lathe operator preferences, but 1.4 degrees seems to be a good average if 'on the fly' is not possible (e.g. SME arms.)

If you set up your arm geometry carefully and adjust for close to the correct SRA (or exact SRA if your arm provides) that is at least 90% of the job.

It's then easy enough to check for correct azimuth with a test record, and for VTF by ear. Anti-skating force settings for line contact styli is about 25% that necessary for spherical or elliptical styli because of lower friction and groove drag.

If you'll follow this strategy, you can be confident you are getting the most out of your tonearm and cartridge.

Nsgarch
I think we actually do not have a disagreement on the essentials. BUT if you have carts that like arm down (to keep it KISS) so the V's arm is just avoiding touching the record, I.E. down from level by 3-4mm. Yet another that likes it UP from level by a similar amount for the same record --- it is this what I'm talking about. What has changed is the angle between stylus' line-contact and cart mounting surface (at the optimal VTF) via the cantilever where it is mounted on.

Insisting on SRA is fine: IF I CAN ACTUALLY SEE IT!
Using that tool which produced the pic in the other thread OH YEAH, hurray!
So if I can't REALLY ascertain that 1.7 deg or what ever angle from vertical LP surface to the stylus' line contact -- then what is the good in riding on SRA? I have not the smallest issue with the theory, but in the end I need something more practical/useful I can work with, or?

Who wants to disagree with e.g. atomic weights, but I still get my sausage in pounds or ounces (in US I'd guess).
"Horses for courses" I make MORE mistakes setting SRA not really seeing what's going on, then simply listening --- so far at least my experience.
As nice as it might be to set the stylus contact-line to 1.7 deg. after I established that's what is needed for the record in the first place...
There are many such things in life, but for the practical current status a bit utopia I say.
You see already the MAJOR discrepancy in cutter angle statements! Roy Gandy has it at 0 - 7 deg. , your source knows or uses 1.7 deg. on you go.

In fact I think all of it has been used. So now you use this ASSUMPTION of how the record was cut to get completely immersed in setting SRA to the 1/10 of a degree. I'm sure it sound fine too, but because if it was 1 degree out it still sounded as fine.
Greetings,

The implication that certain arms/tools can provide 'tighter' setup tolerances is just baloney as I see it.

Well, I like baloney. Especially fried. So I guess that the rather large population of A'goners who have achieved better results using both the Wally and MintLP are just delusional?

Well, I like baloney. Especially fried. So I guess that the rather large population of A'goners who have achieved better results using both the Wally and MintLP are just delusional?

C'mon Dan. You know that's not what I meant, right? I'm confident, using my "stone age" methods, I can achieve the same precision as someone using a Wally or a Mint at least with my arm. But then, I've had a lot of practice, am very patient, and have a few tricks I've learned over the years ;-)

It's not something I do often, so I'm willing to trade a little xtra time for a lot of xtra money. Heck, it makes me crazy just seeing my DB protractor sitting there in the drawer, staring at me!

I was hoping that wasn't what you meant, and yeah, I do know better. ;-)

I think of it this way. I can use my framing hammer to do finish trim work, but I can get much better results with a finish hammer.