Jelco SA750 D optimal cartridge alignement

I'm mounted at 214 mm as well. The issue with many cartridges at that mounting distance is not having enough room in the headshell slots to move the cartridge back to achieve alignment with the 15 mm overhang specified by Jelco. I simply would not be able to do it.

I'm aligned perfectly (with the cantilever, not the cartridge body) using Baerwald and the traditional Baerwald null points of 65.998 and 120.891 and an overhang of 17.894 but if viewed from above in the headshell, the body of my cartridge is skewed slightly inward toward the spindle reflecting the change in offset from the Jelco specified 22 degrees to 23.764.

Not a big deal, and my preference would be for the alignment that I have anyway, but Jelco's numbers can cause problems for many, particularly those with fairly "deep" cartridges from front to back.

The beauty of Conrad's software is that you can (fairly easily) generate an alternative alignment protractor or protractors that will work and allow you to achieve proper alignment.

According to the alignment calculator on VinylEngine, the Jelco recommended geometry puts the null points about an inch in from the outer adge and then just before the inner runout grooves. There are other geometries that will work with minimum changes.

I have a SA-750D and am looking at options. Some require a different headshell. The headshell for the Micro Seiki MA-505 (or compatible) would work well since there are no front or side lips to limit the cartridge position. I tried using that headshell and it works fine on the SA750D.

I have just ordered a custom MintLP tractor from Yip at mintlp.com specifically for 214 mm and am assured I can align my AT 150 MLX to Baerwald so am hopeful. FWIW this morning I installed my Astatic MF-100 in the Jelco - again to OEM null points and I am delighted with the result - tracks band 3 of HFN test disc no worries and sounding stunning.
Regards
Steve

I was at the center if the controversy over at AA (my username there is vynyltap).

I stand by my finding that the Jelco spec'd effective length is just flat wrong. Why they don't correct it is beyond me. For what it's worth, the AT-150mlx will align just fine as mounted via Baerwald.